Parts of an Umbrella: Names and What Each Part Does
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Calm Eden Journal · Updated October 16, 2026
The main parts of an umbrella are the canopy (the fabric), the ribs that hold it out, the stretchers that push the ribs open, the shaft (the stick), the runner that slides up the shaft, the springs and top notch that lock it, the ferrule at the top and the handle. Compact automatic umbrellas add a telescoping shaft and a push-button spring mechanism.
Parts of an umbrella at a glance
Every umbrella, from a full-size stick umbrella to a pocket compact, is built from the same handful of parts. Learning their names makes it much easier to compare umbrellas, describe a fault, or tell whether a cheap umbrella is cutting corners.
| Part | Also called | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Canopy | Cover, cloth, panels | The fabric that keeps off rain and sun |
| Ribs | Spokes, frame arms | Hold the canopy out to its full shape |
| Stretchers | Struts, braces | Link the runner to the ribs and push them open |
| Shaft | Stick, pole, stem | The central column everything slides along |
| Runner | Slider | Moves up the shaft to open the umbrella and down to close it |
| Top and bottom springs | Catches, locks | Hold the runner open or closed |
| Top notch | Crown, hub | Fixed ring at the top where the ribs meet |
| Ferrule | Tip, finial | The point or cap above the canopy |
| Rib tips | Tips, ends | Caps at the end of each rib that hold the fabric |
| Handle | Grip, crook | Where you hold it; on automatics it carries the button |
The canopy: the material part of an umbrella
The canopy is the fabric part of an umbrella. It is sewn from wedge-shaped panels, one between each pair of ribs, and its edge is tied to each rib tip. Most rain umbrellas use polyester or pongee, a tightly woven polyester that feels soft and sheds water quickly when it has a water-repellent finish.
Sun umbrellas add a coating on the underside. A black UV-blocking layer is common because black absorbs light instead of letting it pass through, which is why it can feel noticeably cooler under a sun umbrella. Our guide to black and silver UV coatings goes deeper into the trade-offs.
When you are checking a canopy, look at the stitching at the rib tips and the top. Those are the points that pull hardest in wind, and loose stitching there is usually the first thing to fail.
Ribs and stretchers: the frame
The ribs are the long arms that run from the top of the shaft to the edge of the canopy. Stretchers are the shorter arms underneath that connect each rib to the runner. When you push the runner up, the stretchers push the ribs outward and the canopy goes taut.
Rib material decides how an umbrella behaves in gusts:
- Steel is cheap and strong but heavy, and it bends and stays bent.
- Aluminum is light but soft at the joints.
- Fiberglass flexes and springs back.
- Carbon fiber is very light and stiff, and in a well-built frame it flexes in a gust instead of snapping.
The Haven Umbrella uses 30 carbon fiber ribs, so a gust is spread over many points rather than landing on one. We cover materials in more detail in our carbon fiber umbrella guide and the durable umbrella guide.
The shaft, runner and springs: what the stick part is called
The stick part of an umbrella is the shaft. On a full-size umbrella it is one solid tube; on a compact umbrella it telescopes in two or three sections so the umbrella folds short.
The runner is the collar that slides along the shaft. On a manual umbrella you push it up with your thumb until the top spring clicks into place, then press the spring to let it slide back down. The top notch is the fixed hub at the top of the shaft where all the ribs are hinged, and the ferrule sits above it, either as a point on a stick umbrella or a short cap on a compact.
If an umbrella will not stay open, the top spring is usually worn or bent. If it will not close, check that the runner is not jammed by a bent stretcher.
Extra parts in a compact automatic umbrella
A compact automatic umbrella has everything above plus a mechanism in the handle. A strong spring inside the shaft fires the runner up when you press the button, and on auto open and close models a second press releases the canopy so it folds down. You then push the shaft back into the handle until it locks, which resets the spring for next time.
Compacts also have jointed ribs that fold in two or three places, and a fastening strap that wraps the folded canopy. Haven adds a swivel carabiner loop on the handle so you can clip it to a bag strap. If you are choosing between mechanisms, see automatic vs manual umbrellas.
Umbrella terminology and size words
A few more words come up when you shop for an umbrella:
- Arc is the canopy measured over the curve, from tip to tip. It is always larger than the diameter.
- Diameter or span is the straight-line width of the open canopy.
- Folded length is how long the umbrella is when closed, which decides whether it fits a bag.
- Vented or double canopy means a second layer with a gap that lets wind pass through.
- UPF is the fabric's ultraviolet protection rating.
Our umbrella sizes guide explains how to compare arc, diameter and folded length.
Frequently asked questions
What are the parts of an umbrella called?
The main parts are the canopy, ribs, stretchers, shaft, runner, top and bottom springs, top notch, ferrule, rib tips and handle. Compact umbrellas also have a telescoping shaft, folding rib joints and a fastening strap, and automatic models have a spring mechanism and button in the handle.
What do you call the stick part of an umbrella?
The stick is called the shaft. On a full-size umbrella it is a single tube, and on a compact or folding umbrella it telescopes in sections so the umbrella can fold down short enough to fit in a bag.
What is the cloth on an umbrella called?
The cloth is called the canopy, sometimes the cover. It is sewn from wedge-shaped panels, one between each pair of ribs, and is usually polyester or pongee with a water-repellent finish. Sun umbrellas add a UV-blocking layer underneath.
What holds an umbrella open?
The runner slides up the shaft and the stretchers push the ribs outward. A small top spring then catches the runner and holds it in place. On an automatic umbrella a stronger spring inside the shaft does the pushing when you press the button.
What are the key features of a good umbrella?
Look for a frame that flexes instead of snapping, enough ribs to spread wind load, neat stitching at the rib tips, a smooth runner and a canopy with a water-repellent finish. For sun use, check for a UV-blocking under-layer and a stated UPF rating.
What is the tip of an umbrella called?
The top tip above the canopy is the ferrule, sometimes called the finial. The small caps at the end of each rib, where the canopy is tied on, are called rib tips.
Keep reading
- Types of umbrellas, every kind explained
- Carbon fiber umbrella: is a carbon frame worth it?
- What makes a durable umbrella
- Automatic vs manual umbrella
- Umbrella sizes explained
- How to dry and care for an umbrella
Calm Eden sells the Haven Umbrella mentioned here. Product details come from our own listing; we have not lab-tested other umbrellas. UPF describes fabric, not a health outcome: an umbrella shades direct sun but not light reflected from the ground, so treat this guide as general information, not medical advice.