
US Screw size conversion chart:
Screw Size | Inch Decimal | Nearest Fraction | Metric Equivalent |
#8 | 0.164 in. | 5/32" | 4.17 mm |
#10 | 0.190 in. | 3/16" | 4.83 mm |
#12 | 0.216 in. | 7/32" | 5.49 mm |
#14 | 0.250 in. | 1/4" | 6.35 mm |
What is the difference between a 12 and a 4 screw?
The screws used for wood application are available in two distinct sizes. The larger the number, the larger the diameter. Therefore, a size 12 screw is larger than a size 4. The screws from gauge 6 and above have twice the diameter’s head. Also, the given length for the screws is the length that is usually buried in the wood or in other materials.
What do you need to know about screws?
You need to be conversant with the screw sizes. This is because it sometimes gets tricky when it comes to sizing the screws, both metric sizes, and imperial sizes. Thread count also measures screw sizes. For example, a female ¼-20 socket screw has a diameter of ¼ and 20 female threads per inch.
What is a 6 gauge screw?
Coincidentally, the gauge is approximately the size of the screw head in millimeters. Therefore, a size 6 gauge screw has a head that is almost equal to 6 mm wide. If you are a professional, you understand how difficult it is to effectively correlate the diameter of the metric, the gauge (imperial), and the head sizes.
How to choose the right screw sizes?
This might be why most professionals prefer getting the screws personally to ensure they get the right screw sizes. The imperial diameter (in 16 th of an inch) of the screw head is usually twice the gauge (imperial). Use the formula below to calculate an estimate of the screw head and gauge. Gauge= (Head diameter in sixteenths of an inch X 2 ) – 2.
What is a wood screw?
What is a TFT twin?
What is the gauge of a head?
What are the most popular items in a tool shed?
Can sheet metal screws be used in other materials?
Is it hard to size a screw?
Can a Phillips screwdriver be used on a cross head screw?
See 2 more

What is a size 12 screw in MM?
Metric Imperial Screw Conversion ChartGaugeMetric diameter (mm)Pilot Hole size (mm)63.52842.51053125.53.53 more rows
Are #12 and 1/4 screws the same?
The diameters listed in the chart below are in fractions of an inch, so the #12 is just shy of 1/4 inch.
Are 10 or 12 screws bigger?
Machine screws are often found in sizes of: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14—the larger the number, the larger the screw.
What number is a 1/4 inch screw?
Wood Screw DiametersSizeMajor Thread Diameter*DecimalNearest Fractional Measurement#12.216"7/32"#14.242"1/4"#16.268"17/64"15 more rows
Is a number 14 screw the same as a 1/4 inch?
#14 is close to, but not exactly the same as, 1/4-inch.) The major diameter in Unified threads = 0.060″ + 0.013″ x (numbered diameter). So #2 has a major diameter of 0.086″.
How can you tell screw size?
To measure the diameter of screws and bolts, you measure the distance from the outer thread on one side to the outer thread on the other side. This is called the major diameter and will usually be the proper size of the bolt.
Is M12 bigger than M10?
The size of a metric screw or bolt is specified as diameter, pitch and length, in millimeters (millimeters is abbreviated "mm"). For nuts, size will appear as diameter and pitch....Table 3.MetricClosest InchM8-1.255/16-18 (Smaller)M10-1.53/8-16 (Smaller)M12-1.751/2-13 (Larger)M14-2.09/16-12 (Larger)16 more rows
What are screw sizes?
Screw Sizes For screws measured in inches, diameters of 1/4 inch and smaller (for machine and sheet metal screws) or 5/16 inch and smaller (for wood screws) are expressed with a # and a whole number (ex., a screw with a major diameter of 3/16 inch is a #10 screw). Smaller numbers indicate smaller diameters.
What does a #10 screw mean?
The number “10” is a size designator with no numerical meaning. The number “32” refers to 32 threads per inch. You can identify a 10-32 screw by measuring the diameter at exactly 3/16″ (4.76 mm). 12-24 Threads. 12-24 rack screws are more common than 10-32 in pre-threaded racks.
What is a number 10 screw?
The number “10” is used as a size designator and has no numerical meaning. “32” refers to the 32-thread pitch in threads per inch. You can identify a 10-32 screw by measuring the diameter with a ruler at exactly 3/16 inches ().
How long is a #10 screw?
Good all-purpose. From 5/8" to 3" lengths. #10 General construction, heavy-duty furniture, outdoor projects, decks, lawn furniture, boat building, etc.
What size is a #10 bolt?
Bolt Thread SizesSizeNominal (Major) Diameter [in]Fine Thread (UNF)Threads Per Inch#80.164036#100.1900321/4"0.25002820 more rows
Screw Size Identifiers
Find thread size, screw size, thread pitch, diameter, or drill bit size.
Wall-Mount Thread-It Screw, Bolt, and Nut Size Identifiers
Mount to a wall for easy access, and thread your fastener into holes or onto plugs for quick and accurate size identification.
Thread-It Screw, Bolt, and Nut Size Identifiers
Thread your fastener into holes or onto plugs for quick and accurate size identification.
Threads per Inch and Thread Pitch Identifiers
Determine threads per inch and thread pitch on a variety of external and internal threads.
Reference Charts
Style C charts list specifications and torque tightening guidelines for alloy steel socket screws.
What is a decorative rounded top screw?
A decorative rounded top provides a finished appearance . These screws press threads into material for a tight, secure hold. To prevent splitting, drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw. Made from brass, they are corrosion resistant in wet environments, electrically conductive, and nonmagnetic. Length is measured from under the head.
What type of screws are used for decking?
18-8 stainless steel screws have good chemical resistance and are a good choice for ACQ-treated (arsenic - free) lumber. They have a curved neck that sinks into material, so they sit flush with the surface. Also known as deck screws, they have a Type 17 auger point that penetrates softwood and plastic-wood composite decking material.
What is brass screw?
Brass screws are corrosion resistant in wet environments, electrically conductive, and nonmagnetic. All are beveled under the head for use in countersunk holes. They press threads into material for a tight, secure hold. To prevent splitting, drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw.
Why are steel screws zinc plated?
These steel screws are zinc plated to resist corrosion in wet environments. A decorative rounded top provides a finished appearance. They press threads into material for a tight, secure hold. To prevent splitting, drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw. Length is measured from under the head.
What is a 17 auger point?
Also known as deck screws, they have a Type 17 auger point that penetrates softwood and plastic-wood composite decking material. They may be mildly magnetic. Length is measured from the top of the head. For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
What is 316 stainless steel?
These 316 stainless steel screws have excellent resistance to chemicals and salt water and are a good choice for ACQ-treated (arsenic - free) lumber. They penetrate plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) without splitting. Threads are serrated for lower driving torque. Screws may be mildly magnetic. Length is measured from under the head.
What is a wood screw?
Wood Screws. They are designed for connecting items to a wooden base (e.g. attaching metal coat hooks to a wooden rail). Wood expands and shrinks depending on the surrounding temperature. This means a specialized screw is required for wood applications. The best options are screws that bend before snapping.
What is a TFT twin?
TFT-Twin Fine Thread: They are a little less coarse than non-fine thread screws and thus may slot into a drilled hole a little easier.
What is the gauge of a head?
Gauge= (Head diameter in sixteenths of an inch X 2 ) – 2. E.g. 5/16 head times two equals 10, minus two equals 8. The Gauge is 8.
What are the most popular items in a tool shed?
One of the popular items in the tool shed of any DIY enthusiast is screws. They come in different sizes and shapes.
Can sheet metal screws be used in other materials?
They can be used in other materials apart from metal as they will stay strictly in place once screwed on. Often they are self-tapping meaning that they may not always need a hole drilled into the source before they are inserted. Sheet metal screws come in several different sizes and styles.
Is it hard to size a screw?
Bottom Line. To size a screw is a very challenging thing but there are different types of screws you can use for a wide variety of different tasks. In many situations, you may find it challenging to know the head and the thread available and also the different parts that make up a screw.
Can a Phillips screwdriver be used on a cross head screw?
Phillips Head Screw. A traditional (“flat”) screwdriver cannot be used on sheet metal cross head screws. It is a cross-shaped head kind of screw (see image). Most sets of driver heads or screwdrivers have at least one of these types of screwdrivers.
