Screws are essential fasteners used in various applications, from construction to electronics.
The screw head design determines how the screw interacts with tools and materials, making it crucial to choose the right type for your project.
With a wide range of screw head types available, understanding their unique features and uses can help you select the best one for your needs.
This blog will explore 30 different types of screw heads, highlighting their characteristics and ideal applications.
Explore Different Types of Screw Heads
1. Flat Head
Flathead screws have a flat top that sits flush with the material surface once fully inserted.
They are commonly used in woodworking and cabinetry, requiring a smooth, level finish.
The flat head design helps prevent the screw from protruding, making it ideal for applications requiring a neat appearance.
- Shape: Flat top
- Best For: Woodworking, cabinetry
- Features: Sits flush with the material surface
2. Pan Head
Pan head screws have a slightly rounded head with a flat underside, providing a large surface area for better clamping.
They are versatile and commonly used in metalworking and electrical applications.
The pan head design allows for a secure fit without sinking into the material.
- Shape: Rounded top, flat underside
- Best For: Metalworking, electrical applications
- Features: Large surface area for clamping
3. Round Head
Round head screws have a completely rounded top with a flat bearing surface.
They are often used in decorative applications or where a traditional, domed screw appearance is desired.
The round head design offers a vintage look commonly seen in older or restored items.
- Shape: Completely rounded top
- Best For: Decorative applications, vintage look
- Features: Traditional domed appearance
4. Oval Head
Oval head screws combine the flat underside of a flat head with a slightly rounded top, providing a more finished look.
They are typically used in situations where the screw head remains visible, and a more aesthetically pleasing finish is desired.
- Shape: Rounded top, flat underside
- Best For: Visible applications, decorative finish
- Features: Aesthetic, finished look
5. Hex Head
Hex head screws feature a hexagonal shape that requires a wrench or socket for installation.
They provide excellent torque and are commonly used in construction, automotive, and heavy machinery applications.
The hex head design allows for secure tightening in demanding environments.
- Shape: Hexagonal
- Best For: Construction, automotive, heavy machinery
- Features: Requires wrench or socket, high torque
6. Phillips Head
Phillips head screws have a cross-shaped recess that provides better centering and reduces the risk of slipping.
They are widely used in general construction, woodworking, and electronics.
The Phillips design allows for easier driving and reduced cam-out compared to slotted screws.
- Shape: Cross-shaped recess
- Best For: General construction, woodworking, electronics
- Features: Better centering, reduced cam-out
7. Slotted Head
Slotted head screws feature a single slot across the head, requiring a flathead screwdriver for installation.
They are one of the oldest and most traditional screw head types, still used in many applications today, especially in woodworking and simple assembly tasks.
- Shape: Single slot across the head
- Best For: Woodworking, simple assembly
- Features: Traditional design, easy to use
8. Pozidriv Head
Pozidriv head screws are an improved version of the Phillips head, with additional ribs between the cross slots.
This design provides better grip and reduces cam-out likelihood, making them ideal for applications requiring high torque.
- Shape: Cross-shaped with additional ribs
- Best For: High-torque applications, construction
- Features: Improved grip, reduced cam-out
9. Torx Head
Torx head screws feature a star-shaped recess that provides superior grip and reduces the risk of stripping.
They are widely used in automotive, electronics, and machinery applications requiring precision and high torque.
- Shape: Star-shaped recess
- Best For: Automotive, electronics, machinery
- Features: Superior grip, reduced stripping
10. Square Head (Robertson)
Square head screws, also known as Robertson screws, have a square-shaped recess that provides a secure fit for the screwdriver.
This design is popular in woodworking and construction, especially in Canada, where it was invented.
- Shape: Square recess
- Best For: Woodworking, construction
- Features: Secure fit, popular in Canada
11. Hex Socket Head
Hex socket head screws have a cylindrical head with a hexagonal recess, requiring an Allen wrench for installation.
They are commonly used in machinery and assembly applications requiring a flush or countersunk head.
- Shape: Cylindrical head with hexagonal recess
- Best For: Machinery, assembly
- Features: Requires Allen wrench, flush installation
Button head screws have a low-profile, rounded head with a wide bearing surface.
They are used in applications where a smooth, finished appearance is important, such as in furniture assembly or decorative hardware.
- Shape: Low-profile, rounded head
- Best For: Furniture assembly, decorative hardware
- Features: Smooth, finished appearance
13. Truss Head
Truss head screws have an extra-wide, slightly rounded head that provides a large bearing surface.
This design is ideal for securing thin materials, such as sheet metal or plastic, without causing damage or pull-through.
- Shape: Extra-wide, slightly rounded head
- Best For: Thin materials, sheet metal, plastic
- Features: Large bearing surface, prevents pull-through
14. Cheese Head
Cheese head screws have a cylindrical, slightly rounded head with a flat bearing surface.
The name comes from its resemblance to a wheel of cheese.
These screws are used in electrical and mechanical applications where a wide, flat surface is needed.
- Shape: Cylindrical, slightly rounded head
- Best For: Electrical, mechanical applications
- Features: Wide, flat bearing surface
15. Fillister Head
Fillister head screws are similar to cheese head screws but with a slightly taller head and a deeper slot.
They are commonly used in electrical and mechanical applications, providing a strong, deep drive for secure fastening.
- Shape: Tall, cylindrical head with deep slot
- Best For: Electrical, mechanical applications
- Features: Strong drive, secure fastening
16. Bugle Head
Bugle head screws have a curved, tapering head that resembles a bugle.
This design allows the screw to be driven flush with the material without damaging it, making it ideal for drywall installation and other applications where a smooth surface is needed.
- Shape: Curved, tapering head
- Best For: Drywall installation
- Features: Flush installation, prevents surface damage
17. Flange Head
Flange head screws feature an integrated washer-like flange that distributes the load over a larger area.
This design is used in automotive and machinery applications where extra holding power is required without a separate washer.
- Shape: Integrated washer-like flange
- Best For: Automotive, machinery
- Features: Extra holding power, no separate washer needed
18. Tapered Head
Tapered head screws have a head that gradually narrows towards the top, allowing for a more gradual countersink.
They are used in applications where a smooth, flush finish is desired, such as in woodworking or cabinetry.
- Shape: Gradually narrowing head
- Best For: Woodworking, cabinetry
- Features: Gradual countersink, smooth finish
19. Binding Head
Binding head screws have a rounded top with a slightly undercut bottom, allowing for a secure hold on soft materials.
They are often used in binding documents and books or securing soft materials like leather or plastic.
- Shape: Rounded top, undercut bottom
- Best For: Binding documents, soft materials
- Features: Secure hold on soft materials
20. Combination Head
Combination head screws are designed with multiple drive types, such as Phillips and slotted, in a single head.
This versatility allows them to be driven by different tools, making them convenient for general use.
- Shape: Multiple drive types (e.g., Phillips and slotted)
- Best For: General use, versatility
- Features: Compatible with various tools
21. Double Hex Head
Double hex head screws have a unique design with two hexagonal layers, providing increased grip and torque.
They are commonly used in heavy-duty applications where maximum strength is required.
- Shape: Two hexagonal layers
- Best For: Heavy-duty applications
- Features: Increased grip, maximum strength
22. Security Torx Head
Security Torx head screws are similar to regular Torx screws but with a pin in the center, making them tamper-resistant.
They are used in applications where security is a concern, such as electronics or public installations.
- Shape: Star-shaped with central pin
- Best For: Security applications
- Features: Tamper-resistant, secure fastening
23. Tri-Wing Head
Tri-Wing head screws have a unique three-wing design that requires a special driver.
They are often used in electronics and other applications where tamper resistance is important.
- Shape: Three-wing design
- Best For: Electronics, tamper resistance
- Features: Requires special driver, tamper-resistant
24. Spanner Head
Spanner head screws feature two holes on opposite sides of the head, requiring a spanner driver for installation or removal.
They are used in applications requiring tamper resistance, such as in public fixtures or electronics.
- Shape: Two holes on opposite sides
- Best For: Tamper-resistant applications
- Features: Requires spanner driver, secure fastening
25. Clutch Head
Clutch head screws have a bow-tie or butterfly-shaped recess that provides a strong grip for high-torque applications.
They are commonly used in automotive and machinery settings where a secure, high-torque fastening is needed.
- Shape: Bow-tie or butterfly-shaped recess
- Best For: High-torque applications
- Features: Strong grip, secure fastening
26. Oval Pan Head
Oval pan head screws combine the features of pan head and oval head screws, offering a low-profile, slightly rounded top with a wider bearing surface.
They are often used in applications where a smooth, finished appearance is desired.
- Shape: Low-profile, slightly rounded top
- Best For: Finished appearance
- Features: Wide bearing surface, smooth look
27. Washer Head
Washer head screws have an integrated washer that provides extra surface area, reducing the risk of pull-through and increasing holding power. They are ideal for soft or thin materials where additional support is needed.
- Shape: Integrated washer
- Best For: Soft or thin materials
- Features: Extra holding power, reduces pull-through
28. T-Shaped Head
T-shaped head screws feature a T-shaped head that provides a strong grip and is often used in furniture assembly.
The design allows easy tightening and removal, making them ideal for applications requiring frequent adjustments.
- Shape: T-shaped
- Best For: Furniture assembly
- Features: Easy tightening and removal, strong grip
29. U-Shaped Head
U-shaped head screws have a U-shaped recess that provides a unique grip for specialized applications.
They are used in settings where standard screwdrivers may not be effective, offering an alternative fastening solution.
- Shape: U-shaped recess
- Best For: Specialized applications
- Features: Unique grip, alternative fastening
30. Dome Head
Dome head screws have a rounded, dome-like top that provides a smooth, decorative finish.
They are commonly used in decorative hardware, furniture, and applications where appearance is important.
- Shape: Rounded, dome-like top
- Best For: Decorative hardware, furniture
- Features: Smooth, decorative finish
Conclusion
Choosing the right screw head is crucial for the success of any project, whether it’s construction, electronics, or furniture assembly.
Each type of screw head offers unique advantages, from enhanced grip and torque to tamper resistance and aesthetic appeal.
By understanding the different types of screw heads available, you can select the best option for your specific needs, ensuring a secure and reliable fastening.
