Types of Screws & Fasteners: The Complete Names List (100+ Types with Pictures)

By the DingLong Hardware engineering team — fastener manufacturer since 2003 · Last updated June 2026 · 9-minute read

A complete, categorised list of more than 100 types of screws, bolts, nuts and washers — organised by fastener type, head shape, drive recess and accessory — each named, pictured and briefly explained. Use it as a sourcing and identification reference for production and engineering.

Types of screws by application

Screws are named for the material they fasten or the job they do.

1. Wood screw — a coarse-threaded screw with a tapered point for timber.
2. Machine screw — a uniform-diameter screw for a tapped hole or nut.
3. Self-tapping screw — cuts its own thread in sheet material.
4. Self-drilling (Tek) screw — has a drill-point tip that bores and threads in one pass.
5. Sheet metal screw — fully threaded with a sharp point for thin metal.
6. Drywall screw — a bugle-head screw for fixing plasterboard.
7. Deck screw — a corrosion-resistant screw for outdoor decking.
8. Lag screw (lag bolt) — a heavy hex-head wood screw for structural timber.
9. Chipboard / particle-board screw — a coarse thread for engineered wood.
10. MDF screw — designed to grip MDF without splitting.
11. Concrete / masonry screw — hardened threads that bite into concrete.
12. Security screw — a tamper-resistant drive that resists removal.
13. Set screw (grub screw) — a headless screw that clamps a part onto a shaft.
14. Thumb screw — a knurled or winged head turned by hand.
15. Wing screw — has wings for tool-free tightening.
16. Eye screw — a looped head for attaching cord or wire.
17. Hook screw — an open hook for hanging.
18. Mirror screw — takes a decorative cap over the head.
19. Twinfast screw — twin threads for faster driving.
20. Dowel screw — threaded at both ends to join two timbers.
21. Hanger bolt — wood thread one end, machine thread the other.
22. Coach / carriage screw — a square-neck screw for timber and metal frames.
23. T-slot screw — fits aluminium profile and modular framing.
24. Expansion screw — expands to anchor into masonry.

Screw head types

The head shape sets how the fastener sits against the surface and how it looks.

25. Flat / countersunk head — sits flush with the surface.
26. Oval head — a countersunk head with a rounded top.
27. Pan head — a low rounded head, the all-purpose choice.
28. Round head — a high domed head sitting above the surface.
29. Truss head — a wide, low head that spreads the load.
30. Button head — a low dome with a socket drive.
31. Hex head — a six-sided head turned by a wrench.
32. Hex washer head — a hex head with a built-in flange.
33. Socket cap head — a cylindrical head with a hex socket.
34. Bugle head — a self-countersinking head used on drywall.
35. Fillister head — a tall cylindrical slotted head.
36. Cheese head — a straight-sided slotted head.
37. Flange head — an integral washer face that resists loosening.
38. Countersunk socket head — flush-fitting with a hex socket.

Screw drive types

The drive is the recess the tool engages. Choosing the right drive prevents cam-out and stripped heads.

39. Slotted — the original single straight slot.
40. Phillips — a cross drive that self-centres.
41. Pozidriv — an improved cross drive that resists cam-out.
42. Torx (star) — a six-point star for high torque.
43. Hex socket (Allen) — a hexagonal recess for cap screws.
44. Square (Robertson) — a square recess with strong grip.
45. Torx security — a Torx with a centre pin to deter tampering.
46. Tri-wing — a three-wing tamper-resistant drive.
47. Spanner (snake-eye) — two holes for a special bit.
48. One-way — drives in but cannot be unscrewed.
49. Frearson — a sharper cross drive used in marine work.
50. Combination (Phillips/slot) — accepts more than one bit.
51. JIS — a Japanese cross standard that resists cam-out.
52. External hex / Torx — the drive is on the outside of the head.

Types of bolts

A bolt passes through a hole and is tightened with a nut.

53. Hex bolt — the standard six-sided structural bolt.
54. Carriage bolt — a domed head with a square neck for timber.
55. Flange bolt — an integral washer flange under the head.
56. Eye bolt — a looped head for lifting and rigging.
57. U-bolt — a U shape for clamping pipe and bar.
58. J-bolt — a J shape cast into concrete.
59. Socket cap bolt — a cylindrical head with a hex socket.
60. Cylindrical head bolt — a straight-sided high head.
61. Button head bolt — a low-profile domed socket bolt.
62. Hex tap bolt — fully threaded hex bolt.
63. Structural bolt — a heavy hex bolt for steel connections.
64. Anchor bolt — fixes equipment to concrete foundations.
65. Stud bolt — a threaded rod with two nuts, used on flanges.
66. Double-end stud — threaded at both ends with a plain centre.
67. Shoulder bolt — a precision plain shoulder for pivots.
68. T-head bolt — a T head that slides into a slot.
69. Plow bolt — a countersunk square-neck bolt for wear plates.
70. Elevator bolt — a thin flat head for conveyor belts.
71. Toggle bolt — spring wings for hollow walls.
72. Sex bolt (barrel nut) — a barrel that mates with a screw.

Types of nuts

A nut threads onto a bolt or stud to clamp the joint.

73. Hex nut — the standard six-sided nut.
74. Lock nut (nyloc) — a nylon insert resists vibration loosening.
75. Jam nut — a thin nut that locks against another.
76. Flange nut — a built-in washer spreads the load.
77. Wing nut — two wings for hand tightening.
78. Cap (acorn / dome) nut — a closed domed top covers the thread.
79. Castle nut — slots take a split pin for safety.
80. Coupling nut — a long nut that joins two threaded rods.
81. T-nut — prongs bed into wood for a metal thread.
82. Square nut — a four-sided nut for channel and timber.
83. Weld nut — designed to be welded to a part.
84. K-nut (keps) — a free-spinning washer is captive on the nut.
85. Push nut — a one-way press-on nut for shafts.
86. Knurled nut — a textured edge for hand grip.
87. Slotted nut — slots for a locking pin.
88. Panel nut — a thin nut for mounting switches and connectors.

Types of washers

89. Flat washer — spreads the load and protects the surface.
90. Spring washer (split lock) — tension resists loosening.
91. Fender washer — an oversized flat washer for thin or soft material.
92. Star / tooth lock washer — teeth bite to lock the joint.
93. Belleville (cup) washer — a coned disc that maintains tension.
94. Wave washer — a wavy spring for light preload.
95. Dock washer — a thick heavy-duty flat washer.
96. Sealing washer — a bonded rubber face that seals out water.
97. Square washer — a square plate for timber connections.
98. Countersunk washer — a recess seats a flat-head screw.

Threaded rods, anchors & inserts

99. Threaded rod (all-thread) — fully threaded bar cut to length.
100. Stud — a short threaded bar without a head.
101. Wedge anchor — expands against a drilled hole in concrete.
102. Sleeve anchor — a sleeve grips the hole as the bolt tightens.
103. Drop-in anchor — an internally threaded concrete anchor.
104. Wall plug / anchor — a plastic plug for light fixings.
105. Rivet nut (rivnut) — a threaded insert set into sheet metal.
106. Blind rivet — joins sheets from one side.
107. Threaded insert — adds a metal thread to wood or plastic.
108. Captive screw — stays attached to the panel.
109. Standoff / spacer — sets a fixed gap between parts.
110. Retaining ring (circlip) — seats in a groove to hold a part.
111. Grommet — protects wiring through a panel hole.
112. Hanger bolt insert — a furniture connector for knock-down joints.

Parts of a screw

Knowing the parts makes it easier to specify and identify a fastener.

Materials, grades & coatings

Strength and corrosion resistance are set by the material grade and the surface finish, not the size.

How to specify a fastener

For a production order, a complete spec avoids errors and sampling rounds. Give us:

• Type — screw, bolt, nut or washer, and the specific style.
• Size — diameter, thread pitch and length, e.g. M8 × 1.25 × 30.
• Head & drive — e.g. button head, Torx; or hex head.
• Grade — strength class (8.8, 10.9, 12.9) or stainless (A2, A4).
• Coating — zinc, hot-dip galvanized, Dacromet, black oxide.
• Standard — DIN, ISO, GB, ANSI or a drawing for custom parts.

Frequently asked questions

References & further reading

This guide draws on established references for fasteners and threads:

• Wikipedia — Screw (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw)
• Wikipedia — Bolt (fastener) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolt_(fastener))
• Wikipedia — Nut (hardware) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_(hardware))
• Wikipedia — Washer (hardware) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washer_(hardware))
• Wikipedia — List of screw drives (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washer_(hardware))
• Wikipedia — Screw thread (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw_thread)