Barrel Nuts

What are barrel nuts?

Barrel nuts are fastening components designed to securely connect two pieces of material. They’re commonly used across a range of industries thanks to their simple yet effective design: a hollow barrel with internal threads that pairs with a matching male screw or connector bolt.

Usually sold as a set, the male and female parts share the same head style and drive type. While they can work with most machine-threaded fasteners, barrel nuts are specifically built for strength, alignment and a tidy appearance.

Why choose barrel nuts?

If looks matter in your project, barrel nuts are a great choice. Unlike standard nut-and-bolt setups, these fasteners keep the fixing point hidden.

They can even be fully concealed within the material, making them perfect for use in furniture, architectural work and interior design. Low-profile options like truss, countersunk, and mushroom heads are ideal when space is tight or you need a flush fit.

Other popular styles include button and hex heads, and we offer them in a wide range of sizes, materials and finishes to fit different needs.

Getting the right fit

If you’re using a barrel nut outside of a pre-matched set, make sure the thread size of the nut matches your screw. The barrel should also be slightly shorter than the thickness of the material you’re fastening; this is measured from under the head to the end of the barrel.

Keep in mind that head styles affect how the length is measured:

• Countersunk heads: There are measured from the top of the head to the barrel’s end.
• Raised countersunk heads: These are measured from beneath the raised section to the barrel’s end.

Also, consider the grip range; the maximum material thickness the bolt and nut can hold together. Using a screw that’s too long can cause it to over-thread inside the barrel.

How to install barrel nuts

Getting a strong, reliable hold is all about proper installation:

1. Drill a hole through the first piece of material for the barrel nut, making it slightly larger than the barrel’s outer diameter for a snug fit.
2. Drill a matching hole in the second piece to align with the nut.
3. Insert the screw or connector bolt through the second hole and tighten it into the barrel nut.

Some bolts come with a shoulder under the head, so factor that in during your setup.

Picking the right barrel nut for the job

Different designs serve different purposes:

• Phillips Oversized Truss Head: These are great for anti-vibration, thanks to the wide bearing surface and serrated underside.
• T Head Barrel Nuts: These barrel nuts offer extra strength with a rectangular head.
• Low Profile Socket Sex Bolts: These sex bolts are perfect for tight spaces.
• Furniture Connector Caps and Bolts: These are made for furniture, but work well in panel assemblies too.

Need more security? We also stock tamper-resistant barrel nuts and bolts with drive types like Pin Hex and 6 Lobe Pin TX (including our popular M12 and M16 sizes). For high security applications, we offer Clutch Head and Wave-style options.

Some versions, like Architectural Sex Bolts, don’t have any drive type at all. They often feature a knurled barrel for one-sided installation, commonly used in door hardware, kickplates and other architectural fittings.

Need help?

Browse our full selection of barrel nuts, sex bolts, inter screws and Chicago screws above. We stock standard sizes, materials and finishes but if you’re after something specific or need expert advice, our technical team is here to help. Let us know what you need, and we’ll make sure you get the right fastener for the job.