Standard Machine Screws

Phillips Pan Head

Machine screws with a slightly rounded pan head and Phillips drive, the general-purpose choice for fastening into tapped holes or nuts.

Phillips Flat Head

Machine screws with a countersunk flat head and Phillips drive that sit flush with the surface for a clean finish.

Phillips Truss Head

Machine screws with a wide, low-profile rounded head and Phillips drive that spread bearing load over a larger area, good for thin or slotted material.

Phillips Oval Head

Machine screws with a countersunk oval head and Phillips drive that sit nearly flush while leaving a slightly raised decorative dome.

Square Drive Pan Head

Machine screws with a rounded pan head and square drive that resists cam-out under higher torque.

18-8 Stainless Steel

Star Drive Pan Head

Machine screws with a pan head and Torx-compatible star drive that minimizes stripping and handles high torque.

Star Drive Flat Head

Countersunk flat-head machine screws with a star drive for cam-out resistance and a flush finish.

18-8 Stainless Steel

Star Drive Truss Head

Wide truss-head machine screws with a star drive that combines high bearing area with strong cam-out resistance.

18-8 Stainless Steel

Slotted Pan Head

Machine screws with a rounded pan head and single slot, driven with a flat blade for traditional or simple assemblies.

Slotted Flat Head

Countersunk flat-head machine screws with a single slot for a flush finish, driven with a flat blade.

Slotted Oval Head

Countersunk oval-head machine screws with a single slot for a raised decorative finish.

Slotted Truss Head

Wide, low-profile truss-head machine screws with a single slot that spread load across thin material.

18-8 Stainless Steel

Slotted Round Head

Machine screws with a rounded head that sits above the surface and a single slot for a wide bearing face.

Slotted Binding Head

Machine screws with a thick, slightly domed head and undercut, often used to bind wire or leather and driven with a flat blade.

18-8 Stainless Steel

Slotted Fillister Head

Machine screws with a tall cylindrical head and rounded top, ideal for counterbored holes where a deep slot and small diameter are needed.

Zinc Plated Steel

Slotted/Phillips Truss Combo Head

Truss-head machine screws with a combination slot-and-Phillips recess that accepts either a flat or Phillips driver.

Zinc Plated Steel

Knurled Thumb Head

Machine screws with a knurled head for hand tightening and loosening without tools, used where frequent adjustment is needed.

Brass

What Are Standard Machine Screws?

Standard machine screws are straight, uniform-diameter screws designed to be used with a nut or a tapped hole in metal, plastic (with inserts), or prepared wood. They’re stocked in multiple head styles, drive types, materials, and finishes for production assembly, maintenance, and OEM work.

Head & Drive Options

Heads: pan, flat (countersunk), button, oval, truss, and round.
Drives: slotted, Phillips, combo, Torx/6-lobe, Pozidriv (where specified), and hex-socket.
Choose by application: flat heads sit flush in a countersink; button/truss provide wide bearing on thin sheet; pan/round are general-purpose; hex-socket and Torx reduce cam-out at higher torque.

Materials & Finishes

18-8 / 304 stainless: dependable corrosion resistance for most indoor/outdoor uses.
316 stainless: upgraded resistance for marine or chloride exposure.
Carbon steel, zinc plated: economical, clean appearance for dry interiors.
Black oxide steel: matte black look; light corrosion resistance—use indoors or with protective oil.
Brass / silicon bronze: non-magnetic, conductive, and corrosion-resistant options for electrical and architectural work.

Sizes, Threads & How to Order

Specify diameter × thread × length, e.g., #8-32 × 1-1/2″, 1/4″-20 × 2″, or M4-0.7 × 20 mm. Inch series use UNC (coarse) or UNF (fine). Common inch sizes include #2-56, #4-40, #6-32, #8-32, #10-24, #10-32, 1/4″-20, 5/16″-18, and 3/8″-16. Metric sizes commonly range from M2 to M12. Length is measured from under the head to the tip—except flat (countersunk) heads, which are measured overall.

Where Standard Machine Screws Are Used

Metal fabrication, enclosures, sheet-metal panels, and brackets
Electronics, appliances, HVAC, and automotive service
Fixtures, furniture, and architectural hardware
Plastic components with threaded inserts; wood parts with inserts or T-nuts

Installation Basics

Match the thread size and pitch to the mating nut or tapped hole.
For tapped holes, use the correct tap-drill size and full thread depth; for clearance holes, follow the clearance chart.
Add flat or finish washers to spread load or protect surfaces; use lock washers, prevailing-torque nuts, or threadlocker where vibration is present.
In plastics or thin sheet, consider thread-forming/cutting screws or install threaded inserts for stronger joints.
Apply appropriate torque—avoid over-tightening that can strip threads or deform thin materials.

Related Hardware

Finished machine screw nuts, keps (external-tooth) nuts, flange nuts, nylon-insert lock nuts
Flat, fender, lock, and finishing washers
Threaded inserts for plastic/wood, T-nuts, standoffs, and spacers