⚡ Quick Answer
Types of Screws — The Short Version
Screws are classified two ways: by head shape (pan, countersunk, button, hex) and by drive type (Phillips, flathead, Torx, hex/Allen). These are separate systems — a countersunk screw can have a Phillips drive or a Torx drive. Below is the complete breakdown of every common type, what screwdriver it needs, and when to use it.
If you’ve stared at a screw and had no idea what it was called, you’re not alone. Most hardware stores stock over 30 different screw types. The reason it feels confusing is that most people try to learn “screw types” as one thing — when it’s actually two separate classification systems that get combined in different ways.
This guide separates them clearly, matches every screw to the screwdriver it needs, and tells you which type to use for wood, metal, drywall, and masonry.
Head Type vs Drive Type — The Distinction Most People Miss
Before listing screw types, you need to understand this distinction. Almost every confusing conversation about screws comes from mixing these two things up.
📐 The Key Distinction
Head type = the overall shape of the screw’s top (what you see when the screw is installed). Examples: pan head, countersunk, button head.
Drive type = the slot the screwdriver tip fits into. Examples: Phillips (cross), flathead (straight line), Torx (star shape).
A single screw has BOTH. A countersunk Phillips screw has a countersunk head shape with a Phillips drive slot cut into it.
Types of Screw Heads — All Head Shapes Explained
The head shape determines how the screw sits when installed — whether it sits flush, protrudes, or sits in a recess. Choose the head type based on your finish requirement and whether the screw needs to be removed later.
Pan Head
Most common general-purpose head
Flat top with slightly rounded sides. Sits above the surface. Widely used for general fastening where appearance is not a priority. Good grip with any standard screwdriver.
Countersunk (Flat Head)
Also called: flat head, CSK
Angled underside so the top sits flush with or below the material surface. Used when a smooth, flat finish is required. Standard choice for woodwork, hinges and door hardware.
Button Head
Also called: dome head, low profile
Low rounded dome profile. Sits above the surface but with less protrusion than a pan head. Common in machinery, electronics and anywhere a clean rounded look is needed.
Round Head
Older style, less common now
Fully rounded top, sits above surface. Previously the standard for wood screws. Largely replaced by pan head in modern use but still found in older equipment and antique repair work.
Oval Head
Also called: raised countersunk
Countersunk base with a slight dome on top. The best-looking option when some screw protrusion is acceptable. Common in decorative applications, exposed hinges and trim work.
Hex Head
Also called: hex bolt, hexagon head
Six-sided head driven by a spanner or socket wrench. Provides far more torque than any screwdriver-driven head. Standard for structural connections, automotive, and heavy-duty applications.
Truss Head
Also called: mushroom head
Extra-wide, low-profile dome head. The wide bearing surface distributes load over a larger area. Used in thin sheet metal, electrical panels and anywhere pull-through risk is a concern.
Flange Head
Also called: serrated flange
Hex head with a built-in washer flange underneath. The serrated underside bites into the material to resist loosening under vibration. Common in automotive and machinery applications.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Using a pan head screw where a countersunk head is needed leaves the head sticking above the surface — which can catch clothing, prevent door hinges from closing flush, or make a visible bump under paint. Always check whether flush installation is required before choosing the head type.
Types of Screw Drives — Slots, Stars & Hex Sockets
The drive type determines which screwdriver or bit you need. Using the wrong bit strips the drive recess — which makes the screw nearly impossible to remove. Below are all common drive types with the exact tool each one requires.
Phillips Drive
🔧 Needs: Phillips screwdriver (PH0, PH1, PH2, PH3)
Cross-shaped recess. The most common drive type worldwide. Designed to cam out (slip) under excessive torque to prevent overtightening — which is both a feature and a frustration.
Flathead (Slotted)
🔧 Needs: Flat-blade screwdriver
Single straight slot. The oldest drive type. Prone to slipping sideways under torque. Still used in electrical fittings, vintage equipment and applications where a slotted look is traditional.
Torx Drive
🔧 Needs: Torx bit (T6, T8, T10, T15, T20, T25…)
Six-pointed star shape. More contact points than Phillips means less cam-out and better torque transfer. Standard in automotive, electronics and power tools. Size is marked with a “T” number.
Hex Socket (Allen)
🔧 Needs: Allen/hex key or hex bit
Six-sided internal socket. Requires an Allen key or hex bit. Used in furniture (IKEA-style), bicycles, machinery and anywhere high torque in a low-profile head is needed.
Pozidriv (PZ)
🔧 Needs: Pozidriv bit (PZ1, PZ2, PZ3)
Looks like a Phillips but has extra ribs between the arms. Provides more torque than Phillips with less cam-out. Standard in European woodworking and construction. Do NOT use a Phillips bit in a PZ screw — it will slip.
Robertson (Square)
🔧 Needs: Robertson bit (R1, R2, R3)
Square recess. Near-zero cam-out. Standard in Canadian construction — widely considered the most efficient drive type for production work. Rarely seen outside North America.
Tri-Wing
🔧 Needs: Tri-wing screwdriver
Three-slot Y-shaped drive. A security drive — hard to turn without the specific tool. Found in Nintendo game consoles, Apple products and security enclosures. Requires a specialist bit set.
One-Way Drive
🔧 Needs: Phillips to install, cannot be removed
Designed to be driven in but not backed out. Used in security applications — toilet cubicle fixtures, public signs and tamper-resistant installations where removal is not intended.
🔧 Workshop Note — From Direct Experience
“The number one tool problem I see is people using a PH2 Phillips bit in a Pozidriv screw. They look identical at a glance but the tip geometry is different — the Phillips bit contacts only two of the four drive ribs and strips the head immediately under any real torque. If you’re in Europe or working with European materials, check the screw head for the extra ribs between the cross arms. If they’re there, reach for the PZ2 bit, not the PH2.”
— Workshop experience across automotive, furniture and construction fastening applications
Types of Screws by Material & Purpose
Once you understand head type and drive type, the third classification is what the screw is designed to go into. Using a wood screw in masonry or a drywall screw in wood are both common mistakes that cause joint failure.
| Screw Type | Material | Thread | Common Drive | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wood Screw |
Wood | Coarse, sharp tip | Phillips / Pozidriv | Joining timber, furniture, decking, general woodwork |
Drywall Screw |
Drywall | Fine or coarse | Phillips PH2 | Fixing plasterboard to timber or metal studs. NOT for structural use |
Self-Tapping Sheet Metal Screw |
Sharp-edged, no pilot hole needed | Phillips / Hex / Torx | Thin sheet metal, metal ducting, electrical enclosures | |
Machine Screw |
Uniform thread, needs tapped hole or nut | Phillips / Slotted / Hex | Mechanical assemblies, electronics, machinery — always into a threaded hole | |
Concrete / Masonry Screw |
Masonry | Hardened, alternating thread | Phillips / Hex / Torx | Fixing into brick, block or concrete. Requires pre-drilled pilot hole with masonry bit |
Self-Drilling Screw (Tek) |
Drill-point tip | Phillips / Hex | Fixes into steel without a pilot hole. Point drills and taps in one motion | |
Lag Screw (Coach Screw) |
Wood | Coarse, heavy-duty | Hex head + spanner | Heavy structural timber connections — fence posts, deck beams, structural joints |
Chipboard Screw |
Wood | Coarse, twin-lead | Pozidriv PZ2 | MDF, chipboard, flat-pack furniture. The twin-lead thread grips compressed boards better |
Decking Screw |
Wood | Coarse, countersunk, hardened | Phillips / Square / Torx | Outdoor timber decking. Coated or stainless steel to resist corrosion |
Security Screw |
Any | Standard | Tri-wing / One-way / Torx Plus | Public fixtures, electrical panels, anywhere tamper resistance is needed |
Types of Screwdrivers — Matched to Each Drive Type
Every drive type has a specific screwdriver tip. Using the wrong one damages the drive recess and makes the screw impossible to remove cleanly.
| Screwdriver Type | Tip Shape | Sizes Available | Matches These Screws | Pro Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips Screwdriver | Cross (+) | PH0, PH1, PH2, PH3 | Phillips drive screws | PH2 covers 80% of everyday Phillips screws. Buy this first. |
| Flathead Screwdriver | Straight blade (−) | Multiple blade widths | Slotted/flathead drive screws | Width must match slot exactly — too narrow slips, too wide damages material |
| Pozidriv Screwdriver | Cross with extra ribs | PZ1, PZ2, PZ3 | Pozidriv screws | Do NOT substitute Phillips — strips Pozidriv heads immediately |
| Torx Screwdriver / Bit | 6-point star | T6–T60 | Torx drive screws | Size is marked on the fastener or spec sheet. T20 and T25 most common in auto |
| Hex / Allen Key | Hexagonal bar | 1.5mm–19mm | Hex socket screws & bolts | L-shaped keys for manual use; hex bits for power driver use |
| Robertson Screwdriver | Square | R1 (yellow), R2 (red), R3 (green) | Robertson square-drive screws | Colour-coded by size — most efficient drive type for high-volume work |
| Security / Tamper-Proof Bits | Various (Torx Plus, Tri-wing, Spanner) | Varies by type | Security screws | Buy a security bit set — individual bits are hard to find. One set covers most types |
💡 Starter Kit Recommendation
If you work on a variety of jobs, buy a 100-piece screwdriver bit set that includes PH1, PH2, PZ2, T20, T25, T30, hex 4mm and 5mm, and a selection of security bits. This covers 95% of screws you’ll encounter across furniture, automotive, construction, and electronics work.
Which Screw Should You Use? — By Project Type
If you’re standing in a hardware store and need a quick answer, use this table.
| Project | Correct Screw | Why | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber / wood joinery | Wood screw (coarse thread, sharp tip) | Coarse thread bites into wood grain for strong pull-out resistance | Machine screws — wrong thread for wood, no grip |
| Plasterboard / drywall | Drywall screw (bugle head) | Bugle head countersinks cleanly without tearing paper face | Wood screws — tear paper facing, poor grip in board |
| Brick, block or concrete | Masonry screw (e.g. Tapcon) | Hardened steel, alternating thread cuts into masonry | Wood or drywall screws — will bend or snap |
| Sheet metal to sheet metal | Self-tapping metal screw | Sharp thread cuts into metal without pre-tapping | Wood screws — wrong thread pitch, poor engagement |
| Metal to metal (thick) | Machine screw + nut, or into tapped hole | Uniform thread provides full engagement in thick material | Self-tappers — thread strips under high torque in thick material |
| Outdoor decking | Stainless or coated decking screw | Corrosion-resistant coating survives weather, UV and moisture | Standard zinc screws — rust within one season outdoors |
| Heavy timber (posts, beams) | Lag screw / coach screw | Large diameter and coarse thread carry structural loads | Standard wood screws — shear strength too low for structural loads |
| MDF or chipboard | Chipboard screw (twin-lead thread) | Twin-lead thread grips compressed particles better than single-lead | Drywall screws — wrong thread, splits MDF at edges |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common type of screw?
The most common combination is a countersunk head with Phillips drive — sold as a general-purpose wood screw in most hardware stores. In metric sizes the PZ2 (Pozidriv) drive version is more common in Europe. For mechanical and industrial use, the hex head machine screw is the most widely used fastener globally.
What is the difference between Phillips and Pozidriv screws?
They look nearly identical. The difference is four extra ribs between the cross arms on a Pozidriv. These extra contact points reduce cam-out significantly. Phillips screwdrivers will fit Pozidriv screws but slip under torque and strip the head. Always use a PZ-marked bit in a Pozidriv screw.
What type of screw do you use for wood?
Use a wood screw with a coarse thread and sharp point. The coarse thread bites into wood grain and provides strong pull-out resistance. For visible applications choose a countersunk head so the top sits flush. For MDF or chipboard use a twin-lead chipboard screw specifically — the wider thread pitch grips compressed wood particles better.
What screwdriver do I need for Torx screws?
You need a Torx bit — sized by “T number.” T20 and T25 are the most common in automotive and appliance work. T15 covers most bicycle applications. T10 and T8 appear in electronics. Buy a Torx bit set rather than individual sizes — it covers T6 through T40 for under $15 and handles 99% of Torx screws you’ll encounter.
Can you use drywall screws for wood?
You can but you shouldn’t. Drywall screws are made from hardened but brittle steel optimised for low-torque installation into plasterboard. Under the shear loads in structural wood joints they snap. Use proper wood screws with a coarser thread for any structural timber application.
What are the different kinds of screwdrivers?
The main types are: Phillips (cross-shaped, PH0–PH3), flathead (straight blade), Pozidriv (cross with extra ribs, PZ1–PZ3), Torx (star-shaped, T6–T60), hex/Allen (hexagonal bar or socket), and Robertson (square, colour-coded R1–R3). Each matches a specific drive type — using the wrong one strips the head.
📚 Sources & Methodology
- ISO 1207 / ISO 4762 — International fastener head and drive type standards
- ASME B18.6.3 — American standard for machine screws and drive recesses
- DIN 7985 / DIN 965 — German standards for Phillips and countersunk head dimensions
- Fastener Training Institute — Drive type compatibility and stripping torque data
- Author’s direct workshop experience across construction, automotive and furniture fastening applications
