Screws vs. Bolts vs. Nuts: What’s the Difference? (30-Second Guide)

 If you’re new to hardware, one of the first confusions you’ll face is telling screws, bolts, and nuts apart.
Here’s a quick, clear breakdown so you’ll never mix them up again.

🔩 Screw — the one that holds on its own

Personality:
“I work solo. I don’t need a partner.”

Key traits:

• • • Doesn’t require a nut

    • Cuts or threads directly into the material

    • Common in electronics, furniture, and small hardware

    • Includes wood screws, self-tapping screws, and self-drilling screws

🔧 Bolt — the one that must work with a nut

Personality:
“No nut, no job.”

Key traits:

• • • Always requires a nut

    • Holds parts together using clamping force

    • Used in machinery, vehicles, steel structures, and equipment

    • Strength grades (8.8 / 10.9 / 12.9) belong to the bolt category

🔩 Nut — the bolt’s perfect partner

Personality:
“I make the bolt stronger.”

Key traits:

• • • Internal threads (female threads)

    • Works with a bolt to create clamping force

    • Comes in many types: hex nut, nylon lock nut, self-locking nut, etc.

    • Determines the joint’s locking performance and safety

The Simple Rule (Engineers Use This Every Day)

• • • Needs a nut → Bolt

    • Bites directly into the material → Screw

    • Holds heavy loads / locking strength → Nut involved

Mix them up, and you may end up with loose joints—or worse, damaged equipment.

30-Second Summary

• • • Screw: Works alone; threads directly into material

    • Bolt: Needs a nut to function

    • Nut: The bolt’s teammate; essential for locking strength