Captive Screws

What are captive screws?

Captive screws are designed to remain fixed within a panel or component, even when unscrewed. They feature an unthreaded section below the head – known as a reduced shank – which allows the screw to stay attached without falling free when loosened.

Available in multiple head styles, including cap, pan, button and countersunk, captive screws provide a secure, efficient fastening solution for applications where dropped or lost screws must be avoided.

These fasteners are used across a wide range of industries, including electronics, industrial machinery, military and aerospace, where reliability and ease of maintenance are critical. A loose or missing screw in these environments could cause equipment damage, safety hazards or costly downtime.

While we stock a wide variety of standard sizes and materials, we also manufacture custom captive screws to suit specific requirements, including special sizes, materials and finishes made to customer drawings.

How to choose captive screws

Selecting the right captive screw depends on several key factors:

• Environment – For exposure to moisture, chemicals, or high temperatures, choose stainless steel for corrosion resistance.
• Security – Where tamper resistance is required, select security head designs to deter unauthorised removal.
• Access frequency – For regular access, knurled-head screws allow quick, tool-free operation. For infrequent access, more secure designs are recommended.
• Compatibility – Match the thread size and type with the mating component to ensure a precise and secure fit.

By balancing environment, security, access, and design, you can choose captive screws that deliver performance, safety, and ease of use in your specific application.

For further advice or a competitive quotation, contact the Fastenright team. Our experts are ready to help specify the ideal captive screws for your project.