Pan Head Screws

Pan Head Screws

Pan head screws have a distinctive low-profile head with a flat top and rounded sides — taller than a button head, lower than a round head, with a wider bearing surface than countersunk. The geometry suits applications where a small protrusion is acceptable, where the bearing surface needs to spread load, and where the head needs to seat against a flat surface without sinking in. AIMS Industrial stocks pan head screws in metric and imperial sizes, multiple drive types, and the finishes that suit Australian conditions.

The variations we stock

• Pan head machine screws — fully threaded, for use with nuts or pre-tapped holes
• Pan head self-tappers — thread-forming screws for sheet metal and plastic
• Pan head self-drilling (Tek) screws — combined drilling tip and thread for direct attachment to steel sheet
• Drive types — Phillips, slotted, Pozidriv, Torx, and combination (Phillips/slotted)

Sizes and pitches

Metric pan heads cover M3 through M10 in coarse pitch, with metric fine available on indent for specialist applications. Imperial pan heads run from #4 through 1/4 inch in standard UNC and UNF pitches. Lengths typically run from 6mm to 50mm metric, with longer screws available on order. Bulk packs of common sizes suit fitout and assembly work.

Finishes available

• Zinc plated (ZP) — general indoor and protected outdoor use, the everyday workshop choice
• Stainless steel 304 — corrosion-resistant for marine-near, food-contact, and damp environments
• Stainless steel 316 — premium corrosion resistance for marine and chemical applications
• Brass — for decorative and electrical applications where corrosion resistance and conductivity matter
• Hot-dip galvanised — for outdoor and corrosive environments where heavy zinc coating is needed

Where pan head earns its place

Pan head screws suit most applications where the head will sit on the surface rather than being countersunk in. Common uses include sheet metal joining (with self-tappers or machine screws into nuts), electrical and electronic chassis assembly, panel mounting, decorative fixings, and general workshop assembly work. The wide bearing surface helps spread load on softer materials and oversized clearance holes.

Pan head versus other head types

Pan head versus button head: pan is lower-profile and has a wider bearing area; button is rounder and lower-bearing. Pan head versus round head: pan is more modern, easier to drive cleanly with cross-head bits; round head is older-style with a more pronounced curve. Pan head versus countersunk: pan sits proud, countersunk sits flush. Choose by visual appearance, bearing requirement, and whether the head needs to be flush.

Brands stocked at AIMS

Hobson, Bremick, and Inox World cover the metric and imperial pan head ranges across the standard finishes. We hold trade pack quantities (singles to bulk boxes) and can source non-standard pitches, materials, or platings on request.

Need help with sizes, finishes, or bulk pricing? contact our team — we'll match by application and quantity.