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Date Published:Oct. 25. 2018 Date Updated:May. 10. 2019

Vol. 11 Back to Basics Series! Introducing Various Types of Screws

Hey there! Nedzigon's back!
How many different kinds of screws can you name? There are all kinds, from bolts to machine screws, tapping screws, nuts, and more.
Today we'll talk about several of these, in particular the metric coarse thread types frequently used for machinery.

Metric screw standards

Metric screws are the most commonly used screws in the world, and come in coarse thread and fine thread versions.

Coarse screw thread

There are all kinds of sizes and materials of coarse screw threads in circulation, and they are economical, making them the most used screws.

Fine screw thread

The pitch of fine screw threads is finer than the coarse pitch type, so they are used when more precise adjustments are needed.
The large effective sectional area allows them to be tightly fastened and makes them unlikely to loosen. However, galling and seizing can easily occur when fastening due to the large amount of friction.

There is a table with the reference dimensions on another page, so take a look at that.



Loosely defining "bolts" versus "machine screws"

There are many kinds of screw types, but loosely speaking those often used for machinery are either "bolts" or "machine screws". In general, larger screws are called bolts while smaller screws are called machine screws. The head shapes and recess (concave) shapes are also classified.

Bolt types

Hex head screw


General bolts that can be fastened using a wrench. Types with flanges to help prevent loosening are also available.

Hex socket head cap screws

These bolts have a hole in the head and are also often called cap screws. A hex wrench is used for fastening.

Hexalobular socket head cap screws

The shape allows minimal damage from tools compared to hex hole or cross-recessed hole types. They are used for repeated use at a high tightening torque. Machine screws are also available.

In addition, screws can be classified by head shape (round or flat), or by whether the entire shaft or only part of it is threaded.


Machine screw types

Pan head machine screws

General screws with a head shape resembling a pan.

Flat head machine screws

These screws have a flat shape that fastens flush into the mounting surface.

Truss Head Screws


They have a larger bearing surface than pan head machine screws, for firmer fastening.

There are also other types, such as cheese head machine screws or hemispherical round machine screws.

Next, I will introduce the different recess types for machine screws.

Cross-recessed sockets

Called Phillips screws, these are the most common shapes. The tool is unlikely to slip when fastening and they can be secured tightly, which is why apparently more than 90% of all screws today have this cross-recessed shape.

Slotted sockets


These are also called flathead screws. The first screws invented were these slotted screws that could be machined easily just by adding a groove. They are still used today in areas easily dirtied. If cross-recessed types encounter dirt, the socket may become clogged, preventing their removal. Slotted types enable this dirt to be scraped out.



In addition, there are all kinds of special screw recess types that can only be removed with a special tool, for anti-tampering purposes.

There are many more ways to classify screws in greater detail, but that is a story for another day.

That's all for today!



Consult us if you have any questions.

Note: 60% of special screw purchase orders to NBK are for special screws not listed in this catalog. Many unique customization requests may be possible.

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