Liam Carter
The number on a nail indicates its size, specifically its length. In the United States, the length of a nail is designated by its penny size, written with a number and the abbreviation d for penny. For example, a 16d nail is longer than an 8d nail. The penny system is based on ancient Rome, where the denarius was the most common silver coin. While the penny size is still used in the US, it is becoming more common for professionals to refer simply to the length of the nail to avoid confusion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | Designated by its penny size, written with a number and the abbreviation "d" for penny; for example, 10d for a ten-penny nail. |
| Penny Size | Indicates nail size, but doesn't correspond precisely to another unit of measurement. |
| Gauge | A unit of measurement referring to a nail's diameter or thickness. Higher nail gauge sizes correspond to thinner nails, while smaller nail gauge sizes correlate to thicker, stronger nails. |
| Shank Diameter | The measurement of the thickness of the longer portion of the nail that is driven into the material. |
| Shank Length | Refers to nail length and is measured in inches. |
| Head Diameter | The approximate measurement of the nail's head in inches. |
| Nail Types | Common nails, box nails, annular and threaded nails, finish nails, duplex nails, siding nails, decking nails, and underlayment nails. |
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What You'll Learn
The number on a nail indicates its size
The penny system originated in England in the 15th century, where the price for a hundred or long hundred (120) nails was indicated by the nail's size. The larger the nail, the higher the cost per long hundred. While this system is now obsolete in England, it is still used in the United States and Canada, where nails are specified by type and length and manufactured to Imperial dimensions.
Today, the length of a nail is often cited in inches, particularly for collated nails used in pneumatic and cordless nailers. Another important measurement is the "gauge," which refers to the diameter or width of the nail. The gauge of a nail is inversely proportional to its thickness; higher nail gauge sizes correspond to thinner nails, while smaller nail gauge sizes correspond to thicker, stronger nails. For example, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail.
Nails come in various types, such as common nails, box nails, annular and threaded nails, siding nails, decking nails, and duplex nails, each serving different functions and requiring unique nail heads and coatings.
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The d in nail sizes stands for penny
The "d" in nail sizes does indeed stand for "penny". Nails are designated by their penny size, written with a number and the abbreviation "d" for penny. For example, 10d stands for a ten-penny nail. The higher the number, the longer the nail. So, 16d nails are longer than 8d nails.
The use of "d" to indicate penny size goes back to the time when the Romans occupied England. The "d" is associated with a Roman coin called the denarius, which was also the name for an English penny. The penny system of nail sizes originated in England, with the nail size named after the price of 100 nails of a given size. So, a hundred 3.5-inch nails would have cost 16 pennies and thus became known as 16-penny nails. However, some sources indicate that the number and the "d" indicate that one 16d (3.5-inch) hand-forged nail cost 16 pennies.
The penny system remained in use in England until the 20th century but is now obsolete there. Nails are still designated in penny sizes in the United States, where the length of a nail is indicated by its penny size. In Canada, nails are specified by type and length and are manufactured to Imperial dimensions.
The penny size of a nail is not the only factor that matters when choosing a nail. The gauge, or diameter, of a nail is also important, as is the length of the nail's shank, or the portion of the nail driven into the material. Different applications require different types of nails, such as common nails, box nails, and annular or threaded nails.
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The penny system is based on the ancient Roman coin, denarius
The penny system used to indicate nail size in the United States is based on the ancient Roman coin, the denarius. Nails are designated by their penny size, written with a number and the abbreviation "d" for penny, e.g., 10d for a ten-penny nail. A larger number indicates a longer nail. The "d" in the penny system stands for "denarius", which was the standard Roman silver coin introduced during the Second Punic War around 211 BC. The denarius was one of the most widely circulated coins of the ancient world and was the daily wage for labourers and legionaries in the Roman Empire. Its value was originally 10 assēs, giving it its name, which in Latin means "containing ten".
The denarius was struck continuously through the golden age of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, and its rise and decline mirror what we see with many modern currencies. The coin's weight and purity slowly decreased over time, and it was eventually replaced by the antoninianus in the early 3rd century AD. Despite this, the denarius remained in circulation and was even recreated by the Carolingian dynasty, founded by Pepin the Short, which spread throughout Western Europe under Charlemagne. The abbreviation "d" used for the penny in English history is derived from the denarius, and its legacy can be seen in the common use of portraits on coins today.
The penny system for indicating nail size is a remnant of the 15th century when the price for a hundred or long hundred (120) nails in England was indicated by their length. The larger the nail, the higher the cost per long hundred. This system remained in use in England until the 20th century and is still used in the United States today, with retail boxes of nails marked with both the penny size and length in inches.
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Nails are also sized by their gauge, or diameter
The length of a nail is designated by its penny size, written with a number and the abbreviation 'd' for penny. For example, a 10d nail is a ten-penny nail. A larger number indicates a longer nail. Nails are also sized by their gauge, or diameter. A nail's gauge is a unit of measurement referring to its diameter or thickness. Higher nail gauge sizes correspond to thinner nails, while smaller nail gauge sizes correlate to thicker, stronger nails. For instance, a 12-gauge nail is thinner than a 5-gauge nail.
The shank of a nail refers to its longer portion, which is 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 the nail length and is also 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. Pullout resistance is one factor that influences nail selection.
Annular or threaded nails have threaded shanks that provide additional grip once inserted into the material. These nails offer superior pullout resistance and structural support. Construction workers use annular nails in projects that require extra holding power, like subflooring and drywall replacement. Nails with a thicker shank are less likely to bend when they are driven into a hard surface.
Different applications also require unique nail heads. For roofing, nails must lie discreetly under shingles while providing tear resistance. Flat, wide nail heads are ideal for this situation. Specialty nail designs and coatings allow construction workers to find suitable hardware for their jobs.
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Different applications require different types of nails
The penny system, designated by a number and the letter "d", is used to indicate the size of a nail. The number refers to how many pennies the nail was worth, with a larger number indicating a longer nail. For example, a 16d nail is 3.5 inches long and was worth 16 pennies.
Annular or threaded nails have threaded shanks that provide additional grip once inserted into the material. They are used in projects that require extra holding power, like subflooring and drywall replacement.
Finish nails are used by finish carpenters to hold material in place. They can be buried into the wood and covered with wood putty, leaving no unsightly nail heads showing through the paint or stain.
Duplex nails, or "scaffolding nails", have two layers on the head of the nail, preventing them from being driven completely into a surface.
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Frequently asked questions
The number on nails refers to the nail's length and diameter. The number followed by a "d" indicates the cost of a hundred 3.5-inch nails in pennies. For example, 16d nails would have cost 16 pennies.
The use of pennies to indicate nail size dates back to the 15th century in England. The larger the nail, the higher the cost per long hundred.
From 2d to 16d nails, the penny size increases by one to two for every 1/4-inch of length added to the nail. For 20d nails and longer, the penny size increases by 10 per 1/2-inch of length.
Yes, another common measurement is "gauge," which refers to the diameter or width of the nail. This is particularly important for finish and trim work, where smaller diameter nails are preferred to create less visible holes.
