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If you work with nuts and bolts and wrenches, you must have realized by now that size does matter! Knowing socket wrench sizes lets you have peace of mind with a proper fit on fasteners; plus, it prevents damage to your precious tools or bolts. Selecting the right socket (SAE or Metric) and drive size for specific tasks means saving time and having the utmost precision in automotive, construction or even DIY projects.
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In this article, we’ll go through the vast (and possibly confusing) world of socket wrenches together so that by the end, you can easily distinguish between them, ultimately finding the best for your specific needs. There are different tables like a wrench size chart, so feel free to jump around the article and see what suits you best!
Wrench Size Chart
A wrench size chart provides measurements corresponding to the size of the fastener’s head (bolt or nut). This makes it easier for you to find a proper fit between the tool and the fastener.
This list offers socket wrench sizes in order in both Imperial and Metric units, covering a wide range of applications. Using the right socket wrench size prevents slippage or damage to your fastener.
| Bolt Diameter | Metric (mm) | Standard |
| 1/8″ | 8 | 5/16″ |
| 3/16″ | 10 | 3/8″ |
| 1/4″ | 11 | 7/16″ |
| 5/16″ | 13 | 1/2″ |
| 3/8″ | 14 | 9/16″ |
| 7/16″ | 16 | 5/8″ |
| 1/2″ | 19 | 3/4″ |
| 9/16″ | 21 | 13/16″ |
| — | 22 | 7/8″ |
| 5/8″ | 24 | 15/16″ |
| — | 25 | 1″ |
| 3/4″ | 29 | 1-1/8″ |
| — | 32 | 1-1/4″ |
| 7/8″ | 34 | 1-5/16″ |
| — | 35 | 1-3/8″ |
| 1″ | 38 | 1-1/2″ |
| — | 41 | 1-5/8″ |
| 1-1/8″ | 43 | 1-11/16″ |
| — | 45 | 1-3/4″ |
| 1-1/4″ | 48 | 1-7/8″ |
| 1-3/8″ | 51 | 2″ |
| 1-1/2″ | 57 | 2-1/4″ |
| 1-5/8″ | 64 | 2-1/2″ |
| 1-3/4″ | 67 | 2-5/8″ |
| — | 70 | 2-3/4″ |
| 1-7/8″ | 75 | 2-15/16″ |
| — | 76 | 3″ |
| 2″ | 80 | 3-1/8″ |
| — | 83 | 3-1/4″ |
| 2-1/4″ | 89 | 3-1/2″ |
| — | 95 | 3-3/4″ |
| 2-1/2″ | 99 | 3-7/8″ |
| — | 102 | 4″ |
| 2-3/4″ | 108 | 4-1/4″ |
| — | 114 | 4-1/2″ |
| 3″ | 118 | 4-5/8″ |
| 3-1/4″ | 127 | 5″ |
| 3-1/2″ | 137 | 5-3/8″ |
| — | 140 | 5-1/2″ |
| 3-3/4″ | 146 | 5-3/4″ |
| — | 152 | 6″ |
| — | 165 | 6-1/2″ |
| — | 178 | 7″ |
Socket Wrench Drive Sizes
There are many different socket wrench drive sizes, each fit for a specific type of task, and they are always measured in inches (1/4”, 3/8”, ½”, ¾”, 1”). Drive sizes affect torque and tool compatibility; down below, you can find a chart for socket wrench drive sizes and the common applications for each one.
| Drive Size | Common Socket Sizes (SAE) | Common Socket Sizes (Metric) | Common Applications | Torque Range |
| ¼ inch | 3/16 to 9/16 inches | 4 to 14 mm | Small fasteners and electronics | Up to 90 ft-lbs. |
| 3/8 inch | ¼ to 7/8 inches | 6 to 22 mm | General automotive and household tasks | Up to 250 ft-lbs. |
| ½ inch | 3/8 to 1-1/4 inches | 10 to 32 mm | Heavy-duty automotive, plumbing and construction | Up to 600 ft-lbs. |
| ¾ inch | 7/8 to 2 inches | 19 to 50 mm | Industrial machinery | Up to 1,200 ft-lbs. |
| 1 inch | 1-1/2 to 4 inches | 38 to 100 mm | Heavy industrial and construction | Over 1,200 ft-lbs. |
SAE to Metric Conversion Chart
SAE (the Society of Automotive Engineers standards) wrenches are based on imperial (inch-based) measurements, such as 1/4″, 3/8″, or 1/2″, as opposed to metric wrenches which use millimeters. SAE socket wrenches are commonly used in the United States, especially for older vehicles and machinery that were built to SAE standards. Their main difference is in their use cases. While SAE wrenches are used on SAE fasteners, metric wrenches are for metric ones. Using the wrong type can lead to damaging the fastener head or the tool. Here is an SAE sizes chart for reference, in case you need one!
| SAE | Metric (Millimeters) |
| 1/4″ | 6.35 |
| 5/16″ | 7.94 |
| 3/8″ | 9.53 |
| 7/16″ | 11.11 |
| 1/2″ | 12.70 |
| 9/16″ | 14.29 |
| 5/8″ | 15.88 |
| 11/16″ | 17.46 |
| 3/4″ | 19.05 |
| 13/16″ | 20.64 |
| 7/8″ | 22.23 |
| 1″ | 25.40 |
Conclusion
In the world of nuts and bolts, size isn’t just a detail, it’s the whole deal! Whether you’re an SAE traditionalist or team Metric, understanding socket wrench sizes and drive compatibility can save you time and headaches. So, hopefully, after reading this article, you can grab the right fit, tighten things up and get your projects going!
Read More : Types of Socket Wrench and Their Differences
FAQ
What are the sizes of socket wrenches in order?
Socket wrenches come in both Imperial (SAE) and Metric sizes, ordered by the size of the fastener’s head. Common sizes start as small as 1/8 inch or 8 mm and progress upward in increments to fit a wide range of fasteners, including larger sizes for industrial tasks.
What are socket drive sizes?
Socket drive sizes determine the amount of torque and the type of tasks a socket wrench is best suited for. Some common drive sizes are 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch. By choosing the appropriate socket drive size, you can ensure better compatibility and precision for the task at hand.
Nika
27 January 2025
