The Ultimate Guide to Fastener Nuts
As a small business owner, manager, or contractor, understanding the different types of fastener nuts and their uses can have a significant impact on the durability, safety, and functionality of your projects.
Having some knowledge about fastener nuts can also help you to save costs by making it easier to select appropriate, cost-effective options and avoid potential issues like loosening, corrosion, or wear, especially in high-stress or outdoor environments.
With such a wide array of different nuts available, however, determining exactly which nut to use for each application can be a difficult task. In this guide, we'll review a broad range of nuts as well as the applications in which they're most commonly used.
Your Ultimate Guide to Fastener Nuts
 | Hex finish nuts are used for fastening to a hex cap screw, socket cap screw, or bolt. As the name indicates, these nuts are hex-shaped with internal threads and are fastened by using a wrench. |
 | Same as a hex finish nut but thicker, larger, and heavier. |
 | Hex jam nuts are frequently used as a locknut, where it is "jammed" up against a standard nut to lock the two in place. It is also used when a nut needs to be locked in place without clamping to another object. Hex jam nuts are a low-profile nut, usually half as tall as a standard nut. |
 | These are smaller than a hex jam or hex finish nut and are used with machine screws less than 1/4" in diameter. |
 | These nuts feature a wide flange which acts as an integrated washer. The serrated flange does not spin or move and is designed to evenly distribute the pressure of the nut over the part being secured. This creates a locking action which prevents the flange nut from loosening. |
 | Designed to make parts assembly more quick and convenient, Keps-K lock nuts have an attached free-spinning lock washer. They're also commonly identified as a Keps nut, a K-nut, or a washer nut. |
 | Similar to nylon hex jam nuts but with a taller profile. |
 | These nuts feature chamfered corners and a conical top. This distortion in the top threads is designed to resist loosening from vibration. Commonly known as Stover nuts or one-way nuts since they are installed only one way—conical top up—they are often used in high-temperature applications. |
 | Also known as an acorn cap nut, this nut is named for its shape. The domed top of the nut is designed to prevent contact with the external thread. |
 | With wings on opposite sides of the body, wing nuts allow for manual turning and installation. They are frequently used where the nut needs to be removed and retightened often. |
 | A nut with slots cut into the top, castle nuts are for use with cotter pins to prevent loosening. They're often used for low-torque applications such as holding a wheel bearing in place. |
 | Similar to castle nuts, slotted hex nuts are also designed to be used with cotter pins to create a locking mechanism. They feature a lower hex profile than castle nuts, which can make them a better option where space may be an issue for your application. |
 | These nuts feature a knurled outer surface instead of a hex design. This allows for tightening the nut by hand. They're frequently used in decorative finishes or applications. |
 | This elongated, threaded, hex-shaped fastener is used for joining two male threads, most frequently a threaded rod. The hex shape allows for tightening or loosening with a wrench. |
 | Frequently matched with square-head bolts, these four-sided nuts are available with either a flat or beveled top. Square nuts provide a greater surface contact area, making them more resistant to loosening. |
 | These nuts are frequently used to fasten wood, composite, or particle board with the top surface countersunk to leave a flat, flush surface. T-nuts feature 3 or 4 prongs that sink into the material surface for more secure fastening. |
Making the Right Choice for Your Project
From durability to efficiency and even safety, it's critical to choose the right fasteners for every job, including nuts and bolts. With this guide to fastener nuts and their common uses, you can be confident that you're making the right choice every time.
Shopping for nuts, bolts, fasteners, and related products? Find everything you need to get the job done at Zoro.com!
Product Compliance and Suitability
The statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.
