What It Is Called — Knurled Thumb Screw, Rändelschraube, Vis Moletée
EKINSUN LTD is a custom parts manufacturer in Shenzhen, China, that turns knurled thumb screws to order — in 304 stainless, 316L, brass, steel or aluminium, to DIN 464, DIN 653, GB/T 834 or your own head size, from 1 piece. The same screw is sold under a different name in each market, and the wrong name returns screwdrivers, knobs or nuts. The table gives the name used in each market, the other names for the same part, and the look-alikes that are a different part.
| Market | Catalogue name | Also used for the same part | Not the same part |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States, Canada | knurled thumb screw | knurled head screw; thumb screw (also covers wing and spade heads); knurled thumb screw with shoulder | knurled screwdriver: a tool; thumb screw knob: a plastic knob moulded on a threaded stud |
| United Kingdom, Ireland | knurled thumb screw | knurled head screw, thumb screw | wing screw: two wings in place of a knurl |
| Germany, Austria, Switzerland | Rändelschraube | hohe Form (DIN 464), mit Schlitz (DIN 465), flache Form (DIN 653); Rändelschraube mit Bund | Rändelmutter: the knurled nut, DIN 466 / 467 |
| France, Belgium | vis moletée | vis à tête moletée; vis moletée imperdable (the captive version) | écrou moleté: the knurled nut |
| Spain | tornillo moleteado | tornillo de cabeza moleteada | — |
| Italy | vite a testa zigrinata | vite zigrinata | vite flangiata zigrinata: a flange screw with a serrated underside |
| Netherlands, Flanders | kartelschroef | kartelschroef rvs (stainless) | — |
| China (national standard) | GB/T 834 knurled high-head screw | GB/T 835: the flat version | GB/T 836: knurled screw with a small head |
Need knurled thumb screws in a size, thread or material no catalogue lists? EKINSUN is a custom parts manufacturer: we make knurled thumb screws to your drawing, sketch or sample — 304 or 316L stainless steel, brass or 6061 aluminium — from 1 piece, quoted in 12 hours and shipped duties paid. If the size is standard, ask anyway — it may be in stock, and the unit price drops as the quantity rises. All custom fasteners →
DIN 464 Dimensions — High Knurled Thumb Screw With Collar
A DIN 464 knurled thumb screw has a knurled head of diameter dk and height k on a plain collar of diameter ds; h is the height from the top of the head to the underside of the collar, and the length l is measured from there to the end of the thread. DIN 465 is the same screw with a screwdriver slot across the head.
| Size | Pitch P | Head Ø dk | Knurl height k | Collar Ø ds | Total head height h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2 | 0.4 | 9 | 2 | 4.5 | 5.3 |
| M2.5 | 0.45 | 11 | 2.5 | 5 | 6.5 |
| M3 | 0.5 | 12 | 2.5 | 6 | 7.5 |
| M4 | 0.7 | 16 | 3.5 | 8 | 9.5 |
| M5 | 0.8 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 11.5 |
| M6 | 1 | 24 | 5 | 12 | 15 |
| M8 | 1.25 | 30 | 6 | 16 | 18 |
| M10 | 1.5 | 36 | 8 | 20 | 23 |
Values: DIN 464 as published in the fasteners.eu standards table and in Ganter's DIN 464 catalogue pages; M2.5 to M10 also match the list of a German turned-parts supplier. On catalogue DIN 464 and DIN 653 screws the thread runs up to the collar or the head and ends in a thread run-out with no undercut.
DIN 653 Dimensions — Flat Knurled Thumb Screw
A DIN 653 knurled thumb screw is the low form: the same knurled head as DIN 464, diameter dk and height k, with no collar, so the thread starts under the head. It is the choice where the head must stay low or where a DIN 464 collar will not clear.
| Size | Pitch P | Head Ø dk | Head height k |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3 | 0.5 | 12 | 2.5 |
| M4 | 0.7 | 16 | 3.5 |
| M5 | 0.8 | 20 | 4 |
| M6 | 1 | 24 | 5 |
| M8 | 1.25 | 30 | 6 |
| M10 | 1.5 | 36 | 8 |
Values: DIN 653 as listed by fasteners.eu, Ganter and schrauben-lexikon.de; the three agree from M3 to M10.
GB/T 834 — Why Two M6 Knurled Screws Have Different Heads
An M6 knurled thumb screw made to GB/T 834, the Chinese national standard, has a 20 mm head, 4 mm smaller than DIN 464, and a 12 mm total head height against 15 mm. From M2.5 to M10 the GB/T 834 head is the DIN 464 head of the size below: M6 carries the 20 mm head of a DIN 464 M5, M8 the 24 mm head of a DIN 464 M6. The collar diameter is the same in both standards, 12 mm on M6.
The GB/T 834 head also has a different profile: a knurl of height k1, a waisted neck, and a thin collar of diameter d1 and thickness k2 (2.5 mm on M6), where DIN 464 carries its knurl on a straight collar. GB/T 834 lists lengths from 2 to 45 mm; the screws in the photos are made to it in 304 stainless.
| Size | Pitch P | Head Ø dk | Total head height k | Knurl height k1 | Collar Ø d1 | Collar thickness k2 | Lengths l |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1.6 | 0.35 | 7 | 4.7 | 2 | 4 | 0.8 | 2–8 |
| M2 | 0.4 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 4.5 | 1 | 2.5–10 |
| M2.5 | 0.45 | 9 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 5 | 1 | 3–12 |
| M3 | 0.5 | 11 | 7 | 2.8 | 6 | 1.2 | 4–16 |
| M4 | 0.7 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 1.5 | 5–16 |
| M5 | 0.8 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 6–20 |
| M6 | 1 | 20 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 2.5 | 8–25 |
| M8 | 1.25 | 24 | 16 | 6 | 16 | 3 | 10–30 |
| M10 | 1.5 | 30 | 20 | 8 | 20 | 3.8 | 12–35 |
Values: GB/T 834-1988, checked against a published excerpt of the standard; the standard names property class 4.8 for steel and A1-50 or C4-50 for stainless, and the screws in the photos are turned from 304 (A2).
| Size | DIN 464: head Ø × total head height | GB/T 834: head Ø × total head height | Head Ø difference | GB/T 834 head = DIN 464 head of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2.5 | 11 × 6.5 | 9 × 5.5 | 2 | M2 |
| M3 | 12 × 7.5 | 11 × 7 | 1 | M2.5 |
| M4 | 16 × 9.5 | 12 × 8 | 4 | M3 |
| M5 | 20 × 11.5 | 16 × 10 | 4 | M4 |
| M6 | 24 × 15 | 20 × 12 | 4 | M5 |
| M8 | 30 × 18 | 24 × 16 | 6 | M6 |
| M10 | 36 × 23 | 30 × 20 | 6 | M8 |
For a replacement, measure the head: an M6 with a 24 mm head is DIN 464 or DIN 653, one with a 20 mm head is GB/T 834. Both sit on the same 12 mm collar; a mixed set on one panel shows the difference in the heads.
Knurled Thumb Screw Dimensions by Size
M3 knurled thumb screw dimensions
An M3 knurled thumb screw (thread M3 × 0.5) measures 12 mm across the knurled head to DIN 464, with a knurl 2.5 mm high, a collar 6 mm across and a total head height of 7.5 mm; the flat DIN 653 M3 has the same 12 × 2.5 mm head without a collar; a GB/T 834 M3 has a head 11 mm across, a total head height of 7 mm and a collar of 6 × 1.2 mm.
M4 knurled thumb screw dimensions
An M4 knurled thumb screw (thread M4 × 0.7) measures 16 mm across the knurled head to DIN 464, with a knurl 3.5 mm high, a collar 8 mm across and a total head height of 9.5 mm; the flat DIN 653 M4 has the same 16 × 3.5 mm head without a collar; a GB/T 834 M4 has a head 12 mm across, a total head height of 8 mm and a collar of 8 × 1.5 mm.
M5 knurled thumb screw dimensions
An M5 knurled thumb screw (thread M5 × 0.8) measures 20 mm across the knurled head to DIN 464, with a knurl 4 mm high, a collar 10 mm across and a total head height of 11.5 mm; the flat DIN 653 M5 has the same 20 × 4 mm head without a collar; a GB/T 834 M5 has a head 16 mm across, a total head height of 10 mm and a collar of 10 × 2 mm.
M6 knurled thumb screw dimensions
An M6 knurled thumb screw (thread M6 × 1) measures 24 mm across the knurled head to DIN 464, with a knurl 5 mm high, a collar 12 mm across and a total head height of 15 mm; the flat DIN 653 M6 has the same 24 × 5 mm head without a collar; a GB/T 834 M6 has a head 20 mm across, a total head height of 12 mm and a collar of 12 × 2.5 mm.
M8 knurled thumb screw dimensions
An M8 knurled thumb screw (thread M8 × 1.25) measures 30 mm across the knurled head to DIN 464, with a knurl 6 mm high, a collar 16 mm across and a total head height of 18 mm; the flat DIN 653 M8 has the same 30 × 6 mm head without a collar; a GB/T 834 M8 has a head 24 mm across, a total head height of 16 mm and a collar of 16 × 3 mm.
M10 knurled thumb screw dimensions
An M10 knurled thumb screw (thread M10 × 1.5) measures 36 mm across the knurled head to DIN 464, with a knurl 8 mm high, a collar 20 mm across and a total head height of 23 mm; the flat DIN 653 M10 has the same 36 × 8 mm head without a collar; a GB/T 834 M10 has a head 30 mm across, a total head height of 20 mm and a collar of 20 × 3.8 mm.
304, 316L or 303 — Which Stainless for a Knurled Thumb Screw
A knurled thumb screw for a boat, a deck fitting or anything in salt spray should be A4 (316 or 316L), which carries 2.0–2.5 % molybdenum; 304 (A2) is the grade for machines and equipment indoors or in fresh water. Catalogue stainless knurled screws are often 303 (1.4305, A1), a free-machining grade with added sulphur that has the lowest corrosion resistance of the three.
| Grade | Also called | What sets it apart | Where a knurled thumb screw in this grade goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | EN 1.4301 · A2 · 18-8 (US) · SUS304 · 06Cr19Ni10 | Cr 17.5–19.5 %, Ni 8.0–10.5 %, no molybdenum | machines, food equipment, electrical cabinets, indoor and fresh-water use; the grade of the screws in the photos |
| 316L | EN 1.4404 · A4 · SUS316L | Mo 2.0–2.5 % (EN 10088; ASTM allows 2.0–3.0 %), Ni 10.0–13.0 %, C ≤ 0.030 % | boats and deck fittings, salt spray, pools, de-icing salt, chemical plant |
| 316 | EN 1.4401 · A4 · SUS316 | as 316L with carbon up to 0.07 % | the same uses; both are sold as A4 |
| 303 | EN 1.4305 · A1 · SUS303 | S 0.15–0.35 % added so it cuts cleanly | the usual stainless of catalogue DIN 464 and DIN 653 screws; indoor use, not salt water |
| Brass | CW614N (CuZn39Pb3) | leaded free-cutting brass | instruments, electrical parts, decorative panels |
| Steel | property class 4.8 in GB/T 834; zinc-plated or black oxide | the lowest cost | jigs, machine guards, indoor use |
Stainless on stainless can gall when a thread is turned fast and dry; a knurled screw is turned by hand, and a smear of anti-seize on the thread avoids it. The grade numbers across standards are on the stainless steel grade equivalents chart.
A Real Request — M6 Knurled Screw With a 5 mm Shoulder in A4, for a Boat
The specification: an M6 × 1 thread 15 mm long, a 5 mm plain shoulder between the collar and the thread, A4 stainless for sea water, 2 to 10 pieces, as replacement screws on a boat. DIN 464 is listed in A4 from M3 to M8, but its thread runs up to the collar, so the plain shoulder is not in any catalogue; the screw is turned in one piece from 316L bar.
| Feature | Value | Catalogue or made |
|---|---|---|
| Thread | M6 × 1, 15 mm long | standard thread, cut to tolerance 6g |
| Shoulder | plain, 5 mm long, between the collar and the thread | made: on DIN 464 the thread runs up to the collar |
| Head | knurled; DIN 464 is 24 × 5 mm, GB/T 834 is 20 × 5 mm; or the size of the old screw | either standard, or measured |
| Material | A4 stainless, 316L (1.4404) | DIN 464 in A4 is listed from M3 to M8 |
| Quantity | 2 to 10 pieces | made from 1 piece |
Three kinds of shoulder — say which one
A shoulder can be the thread diameter, wider or narrower, and each does a different job; the diameter goes on the drawing with the length.
| Shoulder | Diameter on M6 | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Plain, thread diameter | 6 mm | a smooth length for a hinged part, strap or bracket to turn or clamp on, so it bears on metal, not on thread crests |
| Wider than the thread | 8 mm, for example | stops the screw at a set depth: it bottoms on the shoulder and holds the part without crushing it — see shoulder bolts |
| Reduced, below the thread root | under 4.77 mm, the root of M6 × 1 | keeps the screw captive: once it is unscrewed from a tapped panel it hangs in the hole and does not drop — see captive screws |
To quote it we need the head diameter and height, or the old screw beside a rule; the shoulder diameter and length; the thread length; the material and the quantity. Quote in 12 hours.
Catalogue Knurled Screw or Made to Order
For standard sizes in steel, brass or 303 stainless, a catalogue is the cheaper supplier, and we say so. Made to order, every head, length, thread and material is open, from 1 piece.
| What you need | In the catalogue? | What we make |
|---|---|---|
| DIN 464 or DIN 653, M3–M10, in steel, brass or 303 stainless (1.4305), in a listed length | Yes — standard-parts catalogues and hardware stores | Buy it off the shelf; we also make it to order from 1 piece. Standard parts: ask us too — we may have them in stock. |
| DIN 464 in A4 (316L) for a boat, M3–M8, in a listed length | Yes — specialist catalogues list A4 from M3 to M8 | Buy it there if the length fits; we make M2, M2.5 and M10 and any length in 316L. Standard parts: ask us too — we may have them in stock. |
| DIN 653 flat knurled screws in A4 (316L) | Rarely — catalogues list DIN 653 in 303 (A1) or steel | Made in 316L, from 1 piece. |
| A plain shoulder under the collar — for example M6 with a 5 mm shoulder and a 15 mm thread | No — catalogue threads run up to the collar | Turned in one piece to your shoulder length and diameter. |
| A head diameter between the standard ones, or the GB/T 834 head to match screws already fitted | No | Made to the head diameter and height you measure. |
| An inch thread — 8-32, 10-32, 1/4-20 — with a DIN 464-type head and collar | Partly — 1/4-20 knurled thumb screws are sold in US hardware stores | Made with any UNC or UNF thread and the head you choose. |
| A thread longer than the catalogues list, such as an M6 over 35 mm | Partly — a few turned-part suppliers list longer ones | Made to length. |
| A knurled screw from an old machine, instrument or boat that matches no standard | No | Made from the old screw, or a photo with a caliper on it. |
The matching nuts are on knurled nuts (DIN 466 high, DIN 467 flat). For more torque than a knurl gives, a clamping knob takes over. The made-to-order side of thumb screws — long shanks, captive versions, titanium — is on custom thumb screws, and the clearance hole for each thread is on the clearance hole chart.
What to Send
The thread (size and pitch), the length, the head standard or the head diameter and height, the shoulder if there is one, the thread end, the material and the quantity. For a replacement, a photo of the old screw beside a rule is enough. Quote in 12 hours.
Knurled Thumb Screw FAQ
To DIN 464, an M6 knurled thumb screw has a 24 mm knurled head, 5 mm high, on a 12 mm collar, and measures 15 mm from the top of the head to the underside of the collar. The flat DIN 653 M6 has the same 24 × 5 mm head with no collar. An M6 made to GB/T 834 has a 20 mm head, 12 mm total head height and a 12 × 2.5 mm collar. The thread is M6 × 1 in all three.
DIN 464 is the high knurled thumb screw with a collar under the head, DIN 465 is the same screw with a slot across the head, and DIN 653 is the flat form with no collar. DIN 464 and DIN 653 share the head: 24 mm across and 5 mm high on M6, 30 × 6 mm on M8.
Because it was made to GB/T 834, the Chinese standard, not to DIN 464. From M2.5 to M10 a GB/T 834 knurled screw carries the DIN 464 head of the size below: 20 mm on M6, 24 mm on M8, 30 mm on M10. The collar is the same in both, 12 mm on M6. To match it, measure the head and send the number.
A4: 316 or 316L (EN 1.4401 or 1.4404), which carries 2.0–2.5 % molybdenum against chloride pitting. 304 (A2) is for indoor and fresh-water use, and the 303 (A1) of many catalogue knurled screws has the lowest corrosion resistance of the three. DIN 464 is listed in A4 only from M3 to M8; other sizes, shoulders and lengths are made to order.
Yes for a knurled thumb screw: AISI 304 is EN 1.4301, sold as A2 under ISO 3506, and 18-8 is the US family name that includes it; JIS calls it SUS304. It contains 17.5–19.5 % chromium, 8.0–10.5 % nickel and no molybdenum, which is what separates it from A4.
Yes, from 1 piece. We turn knurled thumb screws with a plain, wider or reduced shoulder, with threads longer than the catalogues list, with UNC or UNF threads such as 8-32, 10-32 and 1/4-20, and with the head diameter you measure, in 304, 316L, brass, steel or aluminium. Send the dimensions or the old screw; quote in 12 hours.
EKINSUN LTD, a custom parts manufacturer in Shenzhen, China, makes knurled thumb screws to order from 1 piece: DIN 464, DIN 653 and GB/T 834 heads or your own, in 304 and 316L stainless, brass, steel or aluminium, starting from a drawing, a sketch or the old screw. Quote in 12 hours.