The 9 EFT Tapping Points: Diagram and Step-by-Step Guide
Clinical EFT uses the same nine acupressure points in every session. They are bilateral, which means you can tap on either side of the body or both. The points are recognised in traditional Chinese medicine as meridian endpoints, and the same locations are used in some forms of acupuncture.
The nine points, one at a time
1. Karate Chop (KC)
Where it is: The fleshy outer edge of either hand — the part you'd use to chop with.
How it's used: Used during the setup statement (step 3 of the Basic Recipe), not during the tapping sequence itself.
2. Top of Head (TH)
Where it is: The crown of the head. Tap with all four fingertips together.
How it's used: First point in the tapping sequence.
3. Eyebrow (EB)
Where it is: The inner end of either eyebrow, where it meets the bridge of the nose.
How it's used: Tap with two fingertips.
4. Side of Eye (SE)
Where it is: On the bone at the outer corner of either eye. Not on the temple — on the bone of the orbit.
How it's used: Tap with two fingertips.
5. Under Eye (UE)
Where it is: On the bone directly under either eye, in line with the pupil.
How it's used: Tap with two fingertips.
6. Under Nose (UN)
Where it is: In the space between the bottom of the nose and the upper lip.
How it's used: Tap with one or two fingertips.
7. Chin (CH)
Where it is: In the crease between the bottom lip and the chin — roughly the midpoint.
How it's used: Tap with one or two fingertips.
8. Collarbone (CB)
Where it is: Just below either collarbone, about an inch out from the centre of the chest.
How it's used: Tap with the fingertips of one hand. You can also tap both sides with both hands.
9. Under Arm (UA)
Where it is: About four inches below the armpit on the side of the torso — roughly in line with a bra strap or the nipple line.
How it's used: Tap with the fingertips of the opposite hand.
How hard should you tap?
Firmly enough to feel a clear stimulation — about the pressure you'd use to drum your fingers on a table. You should not bruise or hurt yourself. The aim is sensation, not impact.
How many times do you tap each point?
About 5–7 times per pointas you say a short reminder phrase out loud or in your head. There's no clinical benefit to counting exactly — just stay roughly within the range.
Does it matter which side you tap on?
No. The points are mirrored on both sides. Most clinical protocols use one side at a time. You can switch sides or hands between rounds, or tap with both hands simultaneously on symmetrical points (eyebrows, side of eye, under eye, collarbone). Some practitioners report a slight subjective preference for the dominant hand. The published research does not show one is better than the other.
The order of the points
The standard sequence, used in every clinical EFT round:
- Karate Chop — during the setup statement only
- Top of Head
- Eyebrow
- Side of Eye
- Under Eye
- Under Nose
- Chin
- Collarbone
- Under Arm
A common mnemonic teachers use is "KC, then top-down: head, eyebrow, side, under, nose, chin, collar, under arm."
Why these specific points?
They are the endpoints of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine. In modern clinical EFT, researchers describe them as loci that, when stimulated, appear to produce measurable shifts in stress biomarkers like cortisol (Church 2012), heart rate, and blood pressure (Bach 2019). What we cannot directly demonstrate yet is which mechanism is mediating the effect.
Want a guided session?
Reading where the points are is one thing. Hearing a voice walk you through them while you tap is another. Our walkthrough of the full 5-step protocol covers the basic recipe; the Coacalm app delivers the same in guided audio with a SUDS rating before and after.
About this article: Coacalm is a wellness app. EFT tapping is a complementary practice. Information on this page is educational and is not medical advice. Last reviewed: June 2026.
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