A side handle (18) is provided for a handheld power tool (1). The user can grasp the side handle (18) by a grip element (19). A ring-shaped clamp is provided for clamping the side handle (18) onto the handheld power tool (1). The clamp (36) has two ends (32, 33) that can be joined. A pre-tensioned spring (39) presses the joinable ends (32, 33) against a stop (40) in order to join them under a force that acts in an effective direction (29). A release mechanism (41, 43) is held in a normal position by the force of the pre-tensioned spring (29) that acts in the effective direction (29). Against the force of the pre-tensioned spring (39) that acts in the effective direction (29), the user can deflect the release mechanism (41) into a release position in order to cancel the force that presses the joinable ends against the stop.