Liam Carter
The gauge of a nail refers to its thickness and therefore its holding power. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the nail. For example, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail. Common nails are made with a heavier-gauge wire, typically about 5/32” thick, and are used in house framing where strength is important. Box nails have thinner-gauge shanks—about 1/16” thick—and are best for fastening non-structural things like trim, shingles and siding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What it measures | Thickness of the nail |
| Thickness | Higher gauge number = thinner nail |
| Thickness | Lower gauge number = thicker nail |
| Shank diameter | Measurement of thickness in inches |
| Shank length | Measurement of length in inches |
| Head diameter | Measurement of head in inches |
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What You'll Learn
Nail gauge refers to the thickness of the nail
The gauge of a nail refers to its thickness and, therefore, its holding power. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the nail. For example, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail. The most common gauge sizes are 15, 16, 18, 21 and 23.
Common nails are made with a heavier-gauge wire, typically about 5/32” thick. They’re generally used in house framing, where strength is important. Box nails have thinner-gauge shanks—about 1/16” thick—which are best for fastening non-structural things like trim, shingles, and siding. These thinner gauges are also less likely to split the wood.
The shank of the nail refers to its longer portion driven into the material rather than the flat head. The shank’s diameter is a measurement of its thickness in inches. Shank length refers to nail length and is measured in inches. The nail head diameter is an approximate measurement of the nail’s head in inches. Nails exist in various sizes and types to serve different functions.
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Higher gauge sizes correspond to thinner nails
The gauge of a nail refers to its thickness and its holding power. The higher the gauge, the thinner the nail. So, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail. This is because as the gauge number increases, the thickness decreases.
The gauge of a nail is important because it determines the nail's function. Nails with a higher gauge are thinner and are used for fastening non-structural things like trim, shingles, and siding. They are also less likely to split the wood. Nails with a lower gauge are thicker and stronger and are used in house framing where strength is important.
The gauge of a nail is also referred to as its diameter. The shank of the nail is the longer portion that is driven into the material, and its diameter is a measurement of its thickness in inches. The shank length refers to the nail length, which is also measured in inches. The head diameter is the approximate measurement of the nail's head in inches.
It's important to choose the right nail for the job. While one size does not fit all, the right nailer will give the best results, whether installing doors, crown moulding, fine trim, or assembling cabinets.
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Lower gauge sizes correspond to thicker, stronger nails
The gauge of a nail refers to its thickness and therefore its holding power. Lower gauge sizes correspond to thicker, stronger nails. For example, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail. The shank of the nail refers to its longer portion driven into the material rather than the flat head. The shank's diameter is a measurement of its thickness in inches.
Nail gauge sizes are not standardised, but the most common sizes are 15, 16, 18, 21 and 23 gauge. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the nail. So, for instance, common nails are made with a heavier-gauge wire, typically about 5/32” thick. They’re generally used in house framing, where strength is important. Box nails have thinner-gauge shanks—about 1/16” which are best for fastening nonstructural things like trim, shingles, and siding. These thinner gauges are also less likely to split the wood.
The gauge is also sometimes said to be equal to the number of nails per inch, so the more pins to the inch, the finer the pin.
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Common nails are made with a heavier-gauge wire
The gauge of a nail refers to its thickness and therefore its holding power. A higher gauge number corresponds to a thinner nail, while a lower number means a thicker, stronger nail. For example, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail.
The shank of the nail refers to its longer portion driven into the material rather than the flat head. The shank’s diameter is a measurement of its thickness in inches. Shank length refers to nail length and is also measured in inches. The nail head diameter is an approximate measurement of the nail’s head in inches. Nails come in various sizes and types to serve different functions.
It is important to choose the right gauge for the job. For example, when installing doors, crown moulding, fine trim, or assembling cabinets, each application requires a certain size of nail referred to as a gauge. The most common gauge sizes are 15, 16, 18, 21 and 23.
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Box nails have thinner-gauge shanks
The gauge of a nail refers to its thickness and, therefore, its holding power. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the nail. For example, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail.
The shank of the nail refers to its longer portion driven into the material rather than the flat head. The shank’s diameter is a measurement of its thickness in inches. The shank length refers to nail length and is also measured in inches.
Nails exist in various sizes and types to serve different functions. The right nailer should be used depending on the application. For example, installing doors, crown moulding, fine trim, or assembling cabinets each require a certain size of nail referred to as a gauge. The most common gauge sizes are 15, 16, 18, 21 and 23.
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Frequently asked questions
The gauge of a nail refers to its thickness and therefore its holding power.
The right nail gauge depends on the job. For example, common nails are used in house framing where strength is important, whereas box nails are used for fastening non-structural things like trim, shingles and siding.
A higher nail gauge size corresponds to a thinner nail. So, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail.
The most common nail gauge sizes are 15, 16, 18, 21 and 23.
One source suggests that the gauge is equal to the number of nails per inch, so the more pins to the inch, the finer the pin. However, this doesn't seem to add up.
