Top 14 Different Types of Screw Heads

September 6, 2023

What is the screw head?

Screw heads is the area of the screw in which the “drive” is contained.The geometric feature is the clamping point between fasterner and the article.
Heads fall into two categories: countersunk and non-countersunk.
Countersunk screw head sits flush with the surface where they are installed, or slightly below them. An example of this type is a flat screw head .
Non-countersunk head are the opposite. They, with protruding heads, do not taper, ranging from round head to mushroom head.

What are the types of screw heads?

There are various types of screw heads, as seen below comparison chart.

The in-depth introduce of different types of screw heads is as following:

Which are the commonly used screw heads?

The common screw head types including: flat head, binding head, oval head, truss head, brazier head, pan head, round head, and button head.
There are various other screw heads not covered in this article. If you are interested, you can send an email (info@uneedpm.com) or leave a message to us, we are willing to discuss with you. And we can also supply various screw second punch, if you have any demand, welcome your inquiry.

No	Shapes	Name	Description
1		Flat Head	The flat head is conical, and it is countersunk into the item to present flush surface or slightly below the surface to prevent things from snagging on them. Flat head is often used on hand rails, furniture, lighting fixtures, hings, etc.
2		Binding Head	Also known as “binder head”. This slightly domed screw head comes with male and female sides that screw into one another. Binding heads are ideal for holding together swatches, large manuals, and numerous book-binding projects. The undercut of the head also make it perfect for organizing of wire connections in electrical applications.
3		Oval Head	Also called “raised head”, and in the UK also known as “raised countersunk” or “instrument head”. The oval head is a decorative dome-shaped head with a flat bottom and rounded top-both are countersunk. The oval head is a perfect choice for switch coverings.
4		Truss Head	Also known as “mushroom head”. Truss heads have a wide head and slightly rounded surface to create a lower profile and larger bearing surface than round or pan heads for the greater clamp force. Truss heads can be used with various drives, including Phillips, slotted, six-lobe, and combination drives. It is typically used for sheet metal or woodworking.
5		Brazier Head	The brazier head is almost same as the round head (please refer to No.8), except the brazier head has a taller profile
6		Pan Head (JIS)	The pan head (JIS) is the most common “rounded”head style with relatively small profile. It can be substituted in most applications for round, truss or binding heads due to its smaller outer diameter. This pan head is available in various drives including Phillips, slotted, six-lobe, and combination drives. It is commonly used in mounting brackets or hardware.
7		Pan Head (ANSI)	The pan head (ANSI) is almost same as pan head (JIS), except pan head (ANSI) has a lower disc and larger diameter than pan heard (JIS). Pan heads also provide superior torque for securing and removing, due to the rim of the head, which is slightly raised.
8		Round Head	The round head is often used as an alternative to the oval head without countersinks, and it is a versatile option that can be used in various applications. Now, the round head is no longer as popular as it once was, most people prefer pan head. However, it is still used in some machinery or electrical because of its deeper slot than pan head, but mostly its purpose is to provide a particular aesthetic look. The round head can be used with different drives, such as Phillips, slotted, and combination drives.
9		Button Head	Also called dome head. The button head houses an internal hex drive, with a wider head and a lower profile, but it is lack of high-strength capabilities. The button head is used for lighter fastening needs, such as automotive, electronics, and manufacturing.
10		PF. Head	The PF. Head looks similar to upside-down frying pan with wide bottom and a flat top surface. The large flat underside of a pan head screw provides a large bearing surface to allow a firm hold and minimize crushing. And the top flat profile provides a trim finish for decorative applications and minimizes the risk of catching the screw head while in use. The PF. head is a common head type of non-countersunk screw head used in wood screws, self-tapping screws, self-drilling screws, and machine screws.
11		Cheese head	The cheese head has cylindrical sides with a flat disc top and a flat bearing surface. The name cheese head is derived from its similarity in shape and proportion to that of a wheel of cheese. The cheese head is designed with a drive. The drive has a flat bottom and are good for low torque low speed applications.
12		Fillister head	Fillister is often abbreviated FIL. The fillister head, also known as raised cheese head, has a slightly rounded top and tall cylindrical sides. Its smaller diameter and higher profile allow for a deeper Philips or slotted drive. The fillister head screw is rarely installed in new designs but is instead used as replacement screw.
13		Pan Washer Head	The pan washer head is a combination of a pan and a washer. The washer is built to increase a maximum bearing surface to prevent overdriving into the article. It also helps the screw to remain firmly in place.
14		Indented Hexagon Washer Head	The indented hexagon washer head is a washer style flange that attached to the bottom of the hex head for larger bearing surface contact. The washer prevents the wrench or socket from disfiguring of the article surface. It is available with or without slotted drives, and just simply turning the head to tighten. They are designed to allow greater torque than others, so it is often used in high speed assemblies.