Ask ten carriers where they carry and you will get ten slightly different answers. Appendix. Four o'clock. Behind the hip. Small of back. Pocket. The position you pick changes your draw, your comfort, your concealment, and your safety.
This is a full guide to concealed carry positions. What each one is, what it is good at, what it is bad at, and who it suits. We make IWB Kydex holsters in Las Vegas and carry every day, so this is written from carrying, not theory.
The Clock System
Carry positions are described using a clock face wrapped around your waist, viewed from above. 12 o'clock is your belt buckle. 6 o'clock is the middle of your back. For a right-handed shooter, the numbers run 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 down the right side.
- 12 to 1 o'clock: appendix
- 3 to 5 o'clock: strong side, behind the hip
- 6 o'clock: small of back
- 9 to 11 o'clock: support side (cross-draw or weak-hand carry)
Most of the carry world lives between 1 o'clock and 5 o'clock. The rest are situational.
Appendix (AIWB, 1 o'clock)
Appendix carry places the holster inside the waistband at the 1 o'clock position, in front of the hip bone.
Good at: fast draw, strong concealment under fitted clothing, the gun stays in front of you where you can see it and protect it.
Hard at: comfort while seated, especially for longer torsos or more midsection.
Appendix is the most common position among carriers who train. The draw is short and the gun is in your centerline. It also demands the most from your holster: the muzzle points down toward your femoral artery when holstered, so appendix requires a quality Kydex holster with full trigger guard coverage. We compared the two main options in appendix carry vs strong side.
Strong-Side IWB (3 to 5 o'clock)
Strong-side inside the waistband places the holster behind the hip on your dominant side.
Good at: comfort while seated, a forgiving learning curve, the muzzle points away from your body.
Hard at: drawing in tight spaces, concealment under fitted shirts at the grip line.
This is where most new carriers start. The 4 o'clock position is the classic. It is comfortable and the re-holster is easier to do by feel.
Strong-Side OWB
Outside the waistband, strong side. The holster rides on the belt, outside the pants.
Good at: comfort over long sitting, faster draw, easy on larger-frame carriers.
Hard at: concealment. OWB needs a cover garment that hangs below the holster.
OWB is the standard for range work and is workable for daily carry with the right wardrobe. We broke down the full trade-off in IWB vs OWB holster.
Small of Back (6 o'clock)
The holster sits at the center of the lower back.
This position looks discreet but most trained carriers avoid it. Two reasons: a fall onto your back can drive the gun into your spine, and the draw requires reaching behind you in a way that is slow and hard to do under stress. Small of back also flags the gun every time you bend forward.
We do not recommend small of back for daily defensive carry.
Cross-Draw (9 to 11 o'clock)
Cross-draw places the holster on the support side, angled so the dominant hand reaches across the body to draw.
Good at: seated draws, useful for drivers.
Hard at: the draw sweeps the muzzle across whatever is beside you, and the gun is more accessible to someone facing you.
Cross-draw is a niche position. It has real uses for people who spend most of the day seated, but it requires deliberate training.
Pocket Carry
A pocket holster in a front pants pocket, almost always for a small subcompact.
Good at: deep concealment, a hand can rest on the gun without printing.
Hard at: slow draw, limited to very small guns, the pocket must be dedicated to the gun only.
Pocket carry is a legitimate backup or deep-conceal option. It is not ideal as a primary for a compact gun.
Ankle Carry
A holster strapped to the ankle, for a small gun.
Good at: backup gun, deep conceal, accessible while seated.
Hard at: very slow draw standing, the gun bounces during hard movement.
Ankle carry is a backup position, not a primary.
Which Position for Which Carrier
- Daily carry, lean to average build, trains regularly: appendix
- New carrier, wants a forgiving start: strong-side IWB at 4 o'clock
- Carrier who sits most of the day: strong-side IWB or OWB, possibly cross-draw
- Larger frame, comfort priority: strong-side OWB
- Backup gun or deep conceal: pocket or ankle
Most carriers should carry IWB at appendix or strong side. The other positions exist for specific situations.
How TUKD Fits
The TUKD ORIGIN line is optimized for appendix carry and adjustable for strong side via the clip mount. One shell covers the two positions most carriers actually use. For light-bearing carry, the TUKD GHOST line fits the most common gun and light combinations.
If you are not sure which gun or setup you have, the Find Your Holster picker matches you in under a minute.
The Bottom Line
Carry position is a personal decision shaped by your body, your daily routine, your wardrobe, and your training. Appendix and strong side cover most carriers. The rest are situational tools.
Whatever you pick, two things hold: carry a quality holster with full trigger guard coverage, and train with the position you carry.
Carry safe.