Different Types of Screws and Their names and Uses

Published: 14 Jul 2025

Screws might look small, but they play a big role in our everyday lives. Whether you’re fixing a shelf, building furniture, or installing a hinge, you’ll likely need the right screw to get the job done. But with so many types out there, how do you know which one to use? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Let’s break down what a screw is and explore all the common types you need to know.

What is a Screw?

A screw is a simple tool with a sharp tip and spiral threads, used to join materials like wood, metal, or plastic. When turned, a screw pulls two surfaces tightly together. It’s one of the most useful fasteners in construction and everyday DIY work.

1. Machine Screw

Machine screws are small screws with uniform threads along the shaft.
Uses: They’re used to fasten metal parts together, often with a nut or in a pre-threaded hole, common in appliances and electronics.

2. Sheet Metal Screws

These screws have sharp threads that cut into sheet metal, plastic, or other thin materials.
Uses: Ideal for HVAC systems, roofing, and attaching metal panels.

3. Gitti Screws

Also called wall plug screws, these are used with plastic anchors (gitti) to grip hard surfaces.
Uses: Perfect for mounting shelves, frames, or fixtures on concrete or brick walls.

4. Wood Screws

These have a sharp end and thick threads, perfect for fastening pieces of wood.
Uses: Great for joining wood pieces in furniture, framing, or wooden structures.

5. Self-Tapping Screws

These screws form their threads in the material when screwed in.
Uses: Useful in plastic or metal, where tapping holes beforehand isn’t needed.

6. Drywall Screws

Thin screws with a bugle-shaped head and deep threads.
Uses: Commonly used to fix drywall onto metal or wooden studs.

7. Security Screws

Screws with special heads that need unique tools to remove.
Uses: Common in public installations and electronics to prevent tampering or theft.

8.Twinfast Screws

These screws have two threads spiraling around the shaft.
Uses: Designed to drive in faster and hold better, often used in soft materials like particleboard.

9. Self-Drilling Screws

These screws have a pointed tip that drills into the material, so no pre-drilling is needed.
Uses: Ideal for fastening metal-to-metal, such as in steel framing.

10. Mirror Screws

These are decorative screws with caps to hide the head.
Uses: Perfect for attaching mirrors or panels while keeping a neat look.

11. Herbert Screws

These are surgical type screw mostly used in orthopedics.
Uses: Commonly used for fixing small bones or fractures during surgeries.

12. Allen Screw (Hex Socket Screw)

These screws have hexagonal socket in the head.
Uses: Found in bicycles, machines, and furniture that require a clean and tight fit.

13. Countersunk Screws

These screws have a cone-shaped head that sits flush with the surface.
Uses: Used when a smooth surface is needed, like in carpentry and cabinetry.

14. Deck Screws

These screws coated to resist rust and weather.
Uses: Best for outdoor woodwork such as building decks or fences.

15. Eye Screws

These screws have a looped head.
Uses: Used to hang items like picture frames, lights, or planters.

16. Double-Ended Screw

These screws have threads on both ends and have no head.
Uses: Often used to connect two wooden pieces invisibly, such as in staircase balusters.

17. Set Screws

These are Small, headless screws tightened using a hex key.
Uses: Used to lock gears or pulleys onto shafts in machinery.

18. Concrete Screws

These are strong screws with a hard thread, made for use in masonry.
Uses: Perfect for attaching items directly to concrete, brick, or stone.

19. Lag Screws (Lag Bolt)

These are large screw with a hex head and thick shaft.
Uses: Great for heavy-duty wood-to-wood connections, like in framing and outdoor structures.

20. Thumb Screws

These Screws have a head that allows tightening or loosening by hand.
Uses: Used where quick adjustments are needed without any tools required.

21. Hammer-Drive Screws

These screws are driven in using a hammer.
Uses: Used in permanent installations, such as attaching nameplates to machines.

22. Grub Screws

Another name for set screws—typically small and headless.
Uses: Found in mechanical settings to hold components in place without protruding heads.

23. Carriage Bolts

Bolts with a round, smooth head and a square neck underneath.
Uses: Used in wood where the bolt needs to stay in place without turning, like in fencing or decks.

Conclusion

Screws are made in various shapes and sizes, each suited for a specific purpose. Knowing which one to use can make your work easier, safer, and more secure. From fixing a simple photo frame to installing complex metal structures, the right screw makes all the difference. So next time you’re in the hardware aisle, you’ll know exactly what to look for!

FAQs

Who invented a screw?

Archimedes is often credited with inventing the screw concept around 200 B.C., though the threaded fastener as we know it came much later.

When were screws invented?

Metal screws began in 15th-century Europe; screw-cutting lathes came in the late 1700s.

What type of screws to use for door hinges?

Use wood screws or machine screws, depending on the material. Typically, #9 or #10 screws, around 2.5 inches long, work best.

What are 10 examples of a screw?

Machine screw, wood screw, drywall screw, self-tapping screw, lag screw, eye screw, mirror screw, concrete screw, Allen screw, and thumb screw.

What are the two most common screws?

Wood screws and machine screws are among the most commonly used types.

What are the six types of screws?

Six common screw varieties include wood screws, machine types, metal screws, drywall fasteners, lag bolts, and self-drilling screws.