A Quick Metric-Imperial Fastener Cheat Sheet
A Quick Metric-Imperial Fastener Cheat Sheet
Welcome to the wild world of fasteners! Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned pro, knowing your metric from your imperial is a game-changer. Let's dive into this fastener frenzy and make sure you're always using the right size.
The Thread That Binds
First things first, threads are the unsung heroes of fasteners. They keep everything together, but not all threads are created equal. Metric and imperial fasteners have different threads, so it's crucial to know which one you're dealing with.
Metric vs. Imperial: The Showdown
- Metric Fasteners: These are the cool kids in Europe and Asia, measured in millimeters (mm). They follow the ISO metric screw thread standard.
- Imperial Fasteners: The go-to in the United States and Canada, measured in inches. They follow the Unified Thread Standard (UTS).
Quick Metric - Imperial Reference
Got your fastener? Great! Now, use this handy table to cross-reference metric and imperial sizes.
The reference below is easy to follow:
Metric Size (mm) |
Imperial Size (inches) |
M3 |
1/8 |
M4 |
5/32 |
M5 |
3/16 |
M6 |
1/4 |
M8 |
5/16 |
M10 |
3/8 |
M12 |
1/2 |
M16 |
5/8 |
M20 |
3/4 |
Check out our more comprehensive Fastener Reference Guide and Chart
Pro Tips:
- Grab a Caliper: This nifty tool will help you measure the diameter of your fastener with precision.
- Pitch Perfect: For metric fasteners, the pitch (distance between threads) is also in millimeters.
- Manufacturer Magic: Check out guides and charts from manufacturers for even more detailed info.
Fasten Up and Go!
With this quick guide, it will easy to get around some confusing metric and imperial fastener sizing issues.
Now, let's organize those fastener supplies next! Check out some of our storage options here.