Fastener Units Of Measure Imperial Vs Metric

Fasteners, such as screws, bolts, and nuts, can be measured using different units depending on whether the imperial system or the metric system is used. Here’s a comparison of the units of measure commonly used for fasteners in each system.

Imperial System:

Length: Fasteners in the imperial system are typically measured in inches (in) or fractions of an inch, such as 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch. For smaller fasteners, the measurement may be in terms of the number of threads per inch (TPI).

Diameter: The diameter of imperial fasteners is usually measured in inches. For example, a 1/4-20 bolt would have a 1/4 inch diameter and 20 threads per inch.

Thread Pitch: In the imperial system, the thread pitch refers to the number of threads per inch (TPI).

Metric System:

Length: Fasteners in the metric system are measured in millimeters (mm) or centimeters (cm). Common metric sizes include 3mm, 5mm, 8mm, etc.

Diameter: The diameter of metric fasteners is typically measured in millimeters. For example, a metric bolt may have a diameter of 4mm or 8mm.

Thread Pitch: In the metric system, the thread pitch is measured in terms of the distance between adjacent threads. It is specified as the distance in millimeters between the crest of one thread to the crest of the next thread. For example, a metric bolt with a thread pitch of 1.25 would have a distance of 1.25mm between threads.

It’s important to note that while the imperial and metric systems have their respective units of measure for fasteners, there can be some variations and overlap depending on the specific standards and applications. Additionally, there may be situations where hybrid fasteners are used, such as metric fasteners with imperial heads or vice versa, requiring conversion or compatibility considerations.

When working with fasteners, it’s crucial to ensure that the appropriate units and measurements are used, and it’s recommended to consult the relevant standards or specifications to ensure proper selection and compatibility of fasteners for a given application.

Xinchi Fastener Company is a trustworthy fastener company, especially in furniture nuts. And we are the designated fastener supplier to“STAPLE”. As a trusted fastener supplier,  Xinchi Fastener Company can offer a wide range of high-quality fasteners, including tee nuts, screws, bolts, rivets, washers, etc. If you want to know more about fasteners or want to wholesale fasteners, please feel free to contact us. And then our experienced and expert service team will reply to you as soon as possible.