Understanding 16 Types of Screw Heads and Their Uses

Various Introduction to screw hole types

Why are there so many screw shapes?


The reason why screw hole types are diverse is that different hole type designs can meet the needs of different situations, such as:

Anti-slip: To prevent the screwdriver from sliding, causing damage or loosening.

Torque transmission: Different hole designs can affect the efficiency of torque transmission.

Anti-theft: Some special hole shapes can increase the difficulty of disassembly and achieve the purpose of anti-theft.

Introduction to various screw head types


The following will introduce common screw hole types in detail, and explain their characteristics and uses:

hole type Features Advantages Disadvantages Common applications
Slotted Type (-) a straight line Easy to use Easy to slide teeth General purpose, but gradually being superseded
Star Screw Type(*) Similar to a word, but with four corners Slightly less slippery than a word Easy to slide teeth Rarely used
Frearson(+) Cross-shaped Not easy to slip, good torque transmission   Widely used in various products
Cross Square Hole (A), Cross Ditch (C), External Hex (I) Cross-shaped deformation More difficult to slip teeth   Special tools required
Carriage Bolt No thread Cannot lock screws directly Can be matched with other fixing methods No screw fixation
Hexagonal Socket (O) Hexagonal groove Not easy to slip, good torque transmission Special tools required Precision parts, furniture assembly
Pozidriv Phillips, Slotted and Torx, Robertson Screw, Torx, Pozidriv Type, Torx Screw with Pin Polygonal groove Not easy to slip, good anti-theft property Special tools required Anti-theft screws, special purposes
Tri-wing Type (M) Herringbone groove Rarely seen Special tools required Special use
Inner Pentagonal Holes (5) pentagonal groove Not easy to slip, good torque transmission Special tools required High-precision equipment
 

Slotted Type (-)

The most classic design is suitable for traditional screwdrivers, but it is easy to slip due to uneven force application, so it is more suitable for lightweight applications.

Slotted hole screw

Star Screw Type (*)

This design provides stronger torque transmission and is less prone to slipping, and is often used in applications that require more efficient tightening.

Star Screw Type

Frearson (+)

It is one of the most popular hole types of modern screws. It has a self-centering function and can effectively improve the force application efficiency. However, slippage may still occur under high torque.

Frearson screws

Cross Square Hole (A)

A four-corner design is added to the cross hole to enhance torque and is more common in industrial applications.

Cross Square Hole screws

Cross Ditch (C)

The design with grooves can provide better anti-slip effect and is suitable for cross-cut grooves (C) The design with grooves can provide better anti-skid effect and is suitable for assembly environments that require high torque. A high-torque assembly environment is required.

Cross Ditch screw

External Hex (I)

A unique professional design that provides screw options for specialized equipment, often used in specific industries.

External Hex screw

Carriage Bolt (N)

There is no obvious hole pattern designed. This type of screw requires the use of special tools for assembly, and its application is relatively narrow.

Carriage Bolt

Hexagonal socket (O)

Inner hexagonal design is widely used, especially in mechanical assembly and furniture. It has an excellent torque transmission effect and is not easy to slip off.

Hexagon socket screws

Pozidriv Phillips (Q)

The four-corner groove design is suitable for higher-strength fastening applications and can withstand higher torque requirements.

Pozidriv Phillips screw

Slotted and Torx (R)

Combining the plum blossom shape and groove structure, it has a high anti-slip effect and is especially suitable for the precision assembly of electronic products.

Slotted and Torx Screw

Robertson Screw (S)

Four-corner holes provide extremely strong torque transmission capabilities and are usually used on professional machinery and equipment that require extremely high torque.

Robertson Screws

Torx Screw Head (T)

This is a common hole design in modern electronics and precision equipment. It transmits torque efficiently and prevents tools from falling off.

Torx Screw Head Screw

Pozidriv Type (Z)

Similar to the rice-shaped holes, but with added groove design to further improve the anti-slip and anti-torsion properties.

Pozidriv Type Screw

Torx Screw with Pin (P)

A safety center design is added in the middle of the plum blossom hole to prevent unauthorized disassembly. It is usually used for safety screws.

Torx Screw with Pin Screw

Tri-wing Type (M)

Special hole designs are usually designed for specific products or professional purposes to improve the level of protection.

Tri-wing Type Screw

Inner Pentagonal Hole (5)

The pentagonal hole design provides high protection for professional use and is suitable for use in scenarios where anti-disassembly is required.

Inner Pentagonal Hole Screw

Different screw-shape designs reflect their respective application scenarios and technical requirements. Choosing the correct type of screws can improve assembly efficiency, ensure product quality and extend service life. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right screw hole pattern according to your specific needs to achieve the best performance of your project or product!

This article hopes to help you be more confident and precise in your future screw selections!