Screw Types Explained: Phillips, Flathead, Hex, Torx

Tap a screw type to see its features.

Phillips Screw

The most common screw, with a cross-shaped groove in the head, driven with a Phillips screwdriver.

Flathead Screw

A traditional screw with a single straight groove, driven with a flathead screwdriver β€” prone to slipping.

Hex Screw (Allen Bolt)

A screw with a hexagonal recess in the head, driven with a hex key (Allen wrench) to apply strong torque.

Torx Screw (Star Screw)

A screw with a star-shaped recess, offering minimal slippage and strong torque transfer β€” common in electronics and automobiles.

Square Screw (Robertson)

A screw with a square recess in the head, valued for how securely the driver stays seated without slipping.

Wood Screw

A screw with a sharp point and widely spaced threads, designed to bite easily into wood.

The Right Driver Prevents Stripped Screws

When assembling furniture or doing simple repairs, using a driver that does not match the screw head shape can strip the threads or cause the driver to slip and injure you. Knowing the screw type ahead of time lets you prepare exactly the right tool.

Why Hex Screws Are So Common in Furniture

Hex screws resist slipping and can be driven tightly with relatively little force, which makes them especially well suited to flat-pack furniture that needs to be assembled and disassembled repeatedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are hex screws so commonly used in furniture assembly these days?

They slip less and can be tightened firmly with less force, making them especially well suited to situations like flat-pack furniture that requires repeated tightening and loosening.

What should I do if a screw head gets stripped?

Placing a rubber band over the stripped groove and pressing firmly while turning the driver can add enough friction to remove it; if that fails, a dedicated screw extractor tool is the next step.