8 Common Types of Screw Drives

September 14, 2023

What is a screw drive?

A screw drive is a set of shaped cavities and protrusions on the screw head that allows torque to be applied to it. It also involves a mating tool, such as a screwdriver or a wrench, that is used to turn it for installing or removing the screw.

What are the types of screw drives?

There are various fastener drive styles used for different applications, depending on the type of screw head you are using. Here are some of the used types.

What are the most common types of screw drives?

There are 8 most common types of screw drives in a variety of applications, including Phillips drive, slotted drive, Torx drive, pozidive, Robertson drive, triangle drive, tri-wing drive, and hex socket drive.

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No.	Shape	Name	Description
1		Phillips Drive	What is the best type of screw drive? The answer is Phillips screw drive. It is the most common form of cross recess screw drive, created by John P. Thompson and named after Henry F. Phillips. It offers a high level of torque to achieve quick and easy installation. The Phillips screw drive is more stable with the help of four contact points and better performing with screwdrivers. But unlike other kinds of screw drives, the Phillips drive is designed to cam out in which screw drive slips out of the cross head once the torque is needed to drive the screw exceeds a certain amount to avoid over tightening.
2		Slotted Drive	Also known as a flat head screw drive. The slotted screw drive is the oldest and commonest threaded fastener drive. It has a single slot in its head and is driven by a common blade or flat-bladed screwdriver that enhances rotational leverage and simplify the installation process for fasteners. What are the disadvantages of the slotted screw drive? It is not well-suited for installation by power tools, the head is easily damaged, and the screwdriver easily slips out
3		Torx Drive	Also known as “hexalobular socket screw drive” “star drive”and “six-lobe drive”. It is developed by Camcar Textron, so often referred to by the original proprietary brand name Torx screw drive. The Torx drive has six ridges with rounded points. The new design is gaining in popularity thanks to its ability to prevent cam-out and its star-shaped head to bear greater torque. The Torx screw drive is used in various manner of applications, especially in the automotive and electronics industries.
4		Pozidriv	Also called “Pozi drive”. The Pozidriv is the improvement on the standard Phillips drive. It has a set of 45° radial indentations from the main cross recess on the head that forms four additional contact points and greater stabilization to provide a greater contact surface. As a result, it decrease cam-out and wear, which allows greater torque to be applied.
5		Robertson Drive	Also known as “square screw drive”and “Scrulox screw drive”. The Robertson screw drive is characterized square-shaped socket with a slight taper that allows four solid points of contact and “not” cam-out, which allows high levels of torque to be transmitted. The Robertson drive is becoming more and more popular because the tool rarely slips out of place when driving them and it is easier to insert.
6		Triangle Drive	The triangle screw drive is known simply as TA. It is designed with a straight triangle-shaped recess in the screw head, which differs from Tri-point-3 fastener with a Reuleaux triangle-shaped recess. The triangle drive is commonly used in children’s toys, as well as electronic devices such as vacuum cleaners, fan heaters, and camping stoves.
7		Tri-Wing Drive	Also known as triangular slotted with three slotted “wings” and a small triangular hole in the center. Its deep grooves allow to apply more force than other screws drive. The tri-wing drive is usually found on electronic and electrical equipment to discourage dismantling by unqualified people, especially where there might be a serious electric shock hazard. It is also used in aerospace.
8		Hex Socket Drive	Also known as Allen drive and hexagon drive. The hex socket is another common type of screw drive. It has a hexagonal recess on the head, which may be driven by a hex wrench (also called Allen wrench, Allen key, hex key, and inbus) or a hex screwdriver.