What’s the difference between a manicure and a pedicure? A manicure is for your hands and fingernails. A pedicure is for your feet and toenails. Both usually include trimming and shaping the nails, cuticle care, moisturizing, and polish – but a pedicure adds steps for the feet, such as a foot soak and filing down rough skin and calluses, so it usually takes longer and costs more.
The short version:
- Manicure = hands. “Mani” comes from the Latin manus, meaning hand.
- Pedicure = feet. “Pedi” comes from the Latin pes/ped-, meaning foot – the same root as “pedal” and “pedestrian.”
- Mani-pedi = both, usually booked together as a package.
- Getting your toes done is called a pedicure.
Manicure vs Pedicure: Side-by-Side
| Manicure | Pedicure | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | Hands and fingernails | Feet and toenails |
| Word origin | Latin manus (hand) + cura (care) | Latin pes/ped- (foot) + cura (care) |
| Typical steps | Shape nails, cuticle care, hand massage, polish | Foot soak, trim and shape nails, cuticle care, callus filing, foot and calf massage, polish |
| Typical time | About 30–45 minutes | About 45–60 minutes |
| Typical cost (U.S.) | About $20–$35 for a basic manicure | About $30–$50 for a basic pedicure |
| How long polish lasts | Shorter – hands are used and washed all day | Usually longer – toes see less wear |
Times and prices vary by salon. For a full price breakdown, see how much a mani-pedi costs.
What Happens During a Manicure
- Remove old polish.
- Trim and shape the nails with clippers and a file.
- Soften and tidy the cuticles – ideally by gently pushing them back rather than cutting them. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against cutting cuticles or pushing them back forcefully, because it can lead to infection.
- Moisturize and massage the hands.
- Apply polish – base coat, color, and top coat – or gel polish cured under a lamp.
What Happens During a Pedicure
- Soak the feet in warm water to soften the skin.
- Trim toenails straight across and shape them – cutting straight across and not too short helps prevent ingrown toenails.
- Cuticle care, gently.
- File rough skin and calluses with a foot file or pumice – never with a razor or blade. See do pedicures remove calluses?
- Scrub, moisturize, and massage the feet and lower legs.
- Apply polish to the toenails.
For a step-by-step look, see what happens during a pedicure.
Common Types of Manicures and Pedicures
- Basic (classic): nail shaping, cuticle care, and regular polish.
- Gel: gel polish cured under a UV or LED lamp; it lasts longer than regular polish but needs proper removal. See what is a gel pedicure.
- Spa or deluxe: adds a scrub, mask, hot towels, or a longer massage.
- French: a natural or pink base with white tips. See what is a French pedicure.
- Paraffin: warm wax to soften dry skin. See paraffin pedicure.
For the full list, see different types of pedicures.
Tips Before You Book
- Don’t shave your legs for at least 24 hours before a pedicure – small nicks can let bacteria in.
- Choose a clean salon. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests checking that the tech is licensed where required, stations and foot baths are clean, and leaving if they aren’t. It’s fine to ask how tools are cleaned.
- Skip the pedicure if you have cuts, sores, or an infection on your feet or legs. See pedicures with athlete’s foot and pedicures with a wart.
- Wear open-toe shoes to a pedicure so you don’t smudge your polish.
- If you have diabetes, check with your doctor first – see our guide to diabetic pedicures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a pedicure for your hands or feet?
Feet. A pedicure is care for the feet and toenails; a manicure is for the hands and fingernails.
What is it called when you get your toes done?
A pedicure. If you get your hands and feet done together, it’s often called a mani-pedi.
What is a mani-pedi?
A manicure and pedicure booked together. Many salons sell them as a package, often for a little less than booking each one separately.
Which takes longer, a manicure or a pedicure?
Usually a pedicure, because it includes extra steps like soaking and callus filing. A basic manicure often takes 30–45 minutes, and a basic pedicure 45–60 minutes. See how long pedicures take.
Are manicures and pedicures safe during pregnancy?
For most pregnancies, yes, at a clean, well-ventilated salon. See can a pedicure cause labor?
The Bottom Line
A manicure is for your hands; a pedicure is for your feet. Both include nail shaping, cuticle care, moisturizing, and polish, but a pedicure adds foot-specific steps like soaking and callus filing, so it usually takes longer and costs a bit more. Book them together as a mani-pedi, choose a clean salon, and skip cuticle cutting.
Sources
- Merriam-Webster – Pedicure: definition and etymology
- American Academy of Dermatology – Manicure and pedicure safety
