Every fastener, explained.
Screws, bolts, nuts, washers, rivets, and anchors — with sizes, grades, materials, torque charts, and where to buy.
Try: hex bolt · carriage bolt · Grade 5 vs Grade 8
Fastener Families
Screws
14 type(s)
A screw is an externally threaded fastener that forms or cuts its own mating thread, or mates with a…
Bolts
20 type(s)
A bolt is an externally threaded fastener designed to pass through unthreaded holes and mate with a …
Nuts
19 type(s)
A nut is an internally threaded fastener that mates with a bolt or screw to clamp parts together. Mo…
Washers
13 type(s)
A washer is a thin, usually flat or spring-shaped plate with a hole. Washers distribute fastener loa…
Rivets
7 type(s)
A rivet is a permanent fastener installed by deforming one end after insertion, creating a second he…
Anchors
14 type(s)
An anchor fastens an object to a base material that cannot hold a thread on its own, such as concret…
Threaded Inserts
6 type(s)
A threaded insert is a bushing or coil installed into a pre-drilled hole to provide a strong, reusab…
Pins
8 type(s)
Pins are unthreaded cylindrical fasteners used to locate, pivot, or retain parts — dowel pins, cotte…
Studs & Rods
6 type(s)
Studs and threaded rods are headless, externally threaded bars used for hanging, bracing, anchoring,…
Retaining Rings & Clips
6 type(s)
Retaining rings and clips are spring-steel rings that seat in a machined groove to keep parts in pla…
Standoffs & Spacers
5 type(s)
Standoffs and spacers hold two parts a precise, fixed distance apart — used everywhere from circuit …
Nails & Construction Fasteners
12 type(s)
A nail is a driven fastener — a pointed metal pin set by hammer or nail gun that holds by friction b…
Comparisons
- Hex Bolt vs. Carriage Bolt
- Grade 5 vs. Grade 8 Bolts
- Machine Screw vs. Hex Bolt
- Self-Drilling vs. Self-Tapping Screws
- Lag Bolt vs. Carriage Bolt
- Lag Bolt vs. Structural Screw
- Toggle Bolt vs. Molly Bolt
- Concrete Screw (Tapcon) vs. Wedge Anchor
- Wedge Anchor vs. Sleeve Anchor
- Drywall Anchor vs. Toggle Bolt
- Helical Insert vs. Key-Locking Insert
- Pop Rivet vs. Screw
- Cotter Pin vs. Clevis Pin
- Metric vs. Imperial Screws
- Structural Bolt (A325) vs. Hex Bolt (Grade 8)
- Belleville vs. Flat Washer
- Tooth vs. Split Lock Washer
- Drop-In vs. Wedge Anchor
- Chemical (Epoxy) vs. Mechanical Anchor
- Cage Nut vs. Rivet Nut
- E-Clip vs. Snap Ring
- Coupling Nut vs. Hex Nut (for Joining Rods)
- Detent Pin vs. Clevis Pin
- Grooved Pin vs. Dowel Pin
- Acorn Nut vs. Hex Nut
- Square Nut vs. Hex Nut
- Keps Nut vs. Nylon Lock Nut
- Solid Rivet vs. Pop Rivet
- Hitch Pin vs. Cotter Pin
- Wave Washer vs. Belleville Washer
- Flange Nut vs. Hex Nut
- Weld Nut vs. Rivet Nut
- Shoulder Bolt vs. Hex Bolt
- Helicoil vs. Heat-Set Insert
- Deck Screw vs. Wood Screw
- Lag Shield vs. Tapcon Concrete Screw
- J-Bolt vs. Anchor Bolt
- Wall Plug vs. Drywall Anchor
- Zip Toggle vs. Standard Toggle Bolt
- Prevailing Torque Nut vs. Nylon Lock Nut
- Machine Screw Anchor vs. Sleeve Anchor
- Plow Bolt vs. Carriage Bolt
- Drive Rivet vs. Pop Rivet
- Split Rivet vs. Compression Rivet
- Tap End Stud vs. Double End Stud
- Swage Standoff vs. Hex Standoff
- Common Nail vs. Box Nail
- Finish Nail vs. Brad Nail
- Ring Shank vs. Smooth Shank Nail
Buying Guides
- Best Screws for Drywall
- Best Screws for Particleboard
- Best Screws for MDF
- Best Screws for Deck Boards
- Best Screws for Pressure-Treated Wood
- Best Fasteners for Aluminum
- Best Drywall Anchors
- Best Concrete Anchors
- Best Anchors for Brick
- Best Fastener Assortment Kits
- Best Lock Washers
- Best Threaded Inserts for Plastic
- Best Pop Rivets and Rivet Tools
- Best Anchors for TV Mounts
Calculators
- Bolt Torque Calculator
- Pilot Hole Calculator
- Tap Drill Size Calculator
- Thread Engagement Calculator
- Clearance Hole Calculator
- Bolt Weight Calculator
- Torque Unit Converter
- Wood Screw Withdrawal Calculator
- Bolt Preload (Clamp Load) Calculator
Standards
- ASME B18.2.1 — Square, Hex, Heavy Hex, and Askew Head Bolts
- ASME B18.2.2 — Nuts for General Applications (Square and Hex)
- ASME B18.3 — Socket Cap, Shoulder, Set Screws, and Hex Keys
- ASME B18.6.1 — Wood Screws
- ASME B18.6.3 — Machine Screws, Tapping Screws, and Metallic Drive Screws
- ASME B18.21.1 — Lock Washers
- ASME B18.22.1 — Plain Washers
- SAE J429 — Mechanical and Material Requirements for Externally Threaded Fasteners
- SAE J995 — Mechanical and Material Requirements for Steel Nuts
- ISO 898-1 — Mechanical Properties of Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel Bolts, Screws and Studs
- ISO 3506 — Mechanical Properties of Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel Fasteners
- ASTM A307 — Carbon Steel Bolts, Studs, and Threaded Rod
- ASTM A325 / F3125 — High-Strength Structural Bolts
- ASTM F1554 — Anchor Bolts (Steel, Grade 36/55/105)
- IFI 114 / IFI 116 — Blind Rivets and Rivet Nuts
- ASME B18.6.4 — Thread Forming and Thread Cutting Tapping Screws and Metallic Drive Screws
- ASME B18.8.1 — Clevis Pins and Cotter Pins
- ASME B18.8.2 — Taper Pins, Dowel Pins, Straight Pins, Grooved Pins, and Spring Pins
- ASME B18.15 — Forged Eyebolts
- ASME B18.16.6 — Nylon Insert Locknuts (Prevailing-Torque Type)
- ASME B18.17 — Wing Nuts, Thumb Screws, and Wing Screws
- ASME B18.27 — Tapered and Reduced Cross Section Retaining Rings
- ASME B18.29.1 — Helical Coil Screw Thread Inserts — Free Running and Screw Locking
- ASME B18.31.2 — Continuous Thread Stud, Double-End Stud, and Flange Stud (Stud Bolt)
- ASTM A563 — Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts
- ASTM F436 — Hardened Steel Washers
- ASTM F593 — Stainless Steel Bolts, Hex Cap Screws, and Studs
- ASTM F594 — Stainless Steel Nuts
- ISO 4014 — Hexagon Head Bolts — Product Grades A and B
- ISO 4017 — Hexagon Head Screws — Product Grades A and B
- ISO 4032 — Hexagon Regular Nuts (Style 1) — Product Grades A and B
- ISO 4762 — Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screws
- ISO 7040 — Prevailing Torque Type Hexagon Nuts (with Non-Metallic Insert)
- ISO 7042 — Prevailing Torque Type All-Metal Hexagon Nuts
- DIN 931 — Hexagon Head Bolts with Partial Thread
- DIN 933 — Hexagon Head Bolts with Full Thread
- DIN 934 — Hexagon Nuts
- DIN 985 — Hexagon Nuts with Non-Metallic Insert (Self-Locking)
- SAE J78 — Steel Self-Drilling Tapping Screws
- IFI 126 — Structural Blind Rivets
Reference Charts
- Screw Size Chart (Gauge to Inches & Metric)
- Bolt Torque Chart (ft-lb, Dry)
- Nut and Bolt Size Chart
- Pilot Hole Size Chart for Wood Screws
- Pilot Hole Size for a #8 Screw
- Drill Bit Size for Screws (Pilot & Clearance)
- Bolt Grade Markings Chart
- Drywall Anchor Weight Rating Chart
- Types of Screws and Their Uses
- Screw Head Types Chart
- Screw Drive Types (Phillips vs Torx vs Square)
- Socket Head Cap Screw Torque Chart
- Types of Concrete Anchors
- Flat Washer Size Chart (USS vs SAE)
- Anchor Drill Size Chart (Masonry Bits)
- Metric to Inch Bolt Conversion Chart
- Hex Key Size Chart (Socket Head Cap Screws)
- Metric Hex Nut Size Chart (Width Across Flats)
- Pop Rivet Size Chart (Diameter, Grip, Drill)
- Tap Drill Size Chart
- Wood Screw Gauge to Inch Chart
How-Tos
- How to Choose the Right Fastener
- How to Drill a Pilot Hole
- How to Torque a Bolt Correctly
- What Size Lag Bolt for a Ledger Board
- How to Measure a Bolt
- How to Remove a Stripped Screw
- How to Install a Drywall Anchor
- How to Remove a Rusted or Seized Bolt
- How to Read Bolt Head Markings
- How to Install a Concrete Anchor
- How to Use a Rivet Gun
- How to Repair Stripped Threads
- How to Drill Through Metal