The stylus — commonly called the needle — is the small, precisely shaped tip that makes direct contact with a vinyl record's groove. Mounted at the end of a cantilever on a phono cartridge, the stylus traces the microscopic undulations in the groove wall, converting physical movement into electrical signals that become music. Most modern styli are tipped with industrial diamond for durability.
Styli come in several profile shapes, each offering different performance characteristics. Conical (spherical) tips are the most affordable and forgiving but read less groove detail. Elliptical tips have a narrower contact area, reading more information for better high-frequency response. Advanced profiles like Shibata, MicroLine, and Fine Line extract maximum detail from the groove — they're preferred by audiophiles but cost more.
Stylus care is critical for both sound quality and record preservation. A worn or damaged stylus can permanently damage vinyl grooves. Replace your stylus every 500-1,000 hours of play (roughly 1-2 years for regular listeners). Clean it regularly with a stylus brush, always moving from back to front. Never touch the tip with your fingers. A well-maintained stylus protects your investment in your record collection.
A stylus tip is typically 15-25 micrometers wide — smaller than a human hair (70 micrometers). It tracks grooves at a force of just 1-3 grams.