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A set of chrome-vanadium metric spanners or wrenches, open at one end, box/ring at the other. A type like this is commonly known as a "combination" spanners.









American name British/Commonwealth name Description Group
Kluc ockoplochy.jpg combination wrench combination spanner
open-ring spanner
Bremsleitungsschluessel.JPG flare-nut wrench
tube wrench
line wrench
flare spanner
flare nut spanner
brake spanner
crow's-foot spanner
Point tailed ratchet spanner.jpg ratcheting box wrench ratcheting ring spanner A type of ring spanner, or box wrench, whose end section ratchets. Ratcheting can be reversed by flipping over the wrench, or by activating a reversing lever on the wrench. This type of wrench combines compact design of a box wrench, with the utility and quickness of use of a ratchet wrench. A variety of ratcheting mechanisms are used, from simple pawls to more complex captured rollers, with the latter being more compact, smoother, but also more expensive to manufacture. The one pictured also features a drift pin on the tail. common
Craftsman Saltus wrenches.jpg flex-head socket wrench
Saltus wrench
Spanner wrenches various kinds from Colvin and Stanley 1910 p64.png spanner wrench or simply spanner [referring to any of these]; [when specifying pin vs hook vs C, the same terms are used as in British English] pin spanner
hook spanner
C spanner
pin face spanner
A wrench with one or several pins or hooks, designed to drive spanner head screws, threaded collars and retainer rings, shafts, and so on. Note the difference in the American and British senses of the word "spanner". In American English, "spanners" are a subset of the class of tools called "wrenches". common
Kluc vidlicovy uderovy.jpg striking face box wrench
slammer wrench
slugger wrench
hammer wrench
slogging spanner
flogging spanner
AdjustableWrenchWhiteBackground.jpg adjustable wrench
adjustable end wrench
Crescent wrench
adjustable spanner
shifting spanner
The most common type of adjustable wrench in use today. The adjustable end wrench differs from the monkey wrench in that the gripping faces of the jaws are displaced to a (typically) 15 degree angle relative to the tool's handle, a design feature that facilitates the wrench's use in close quarters. The modern adjustable end wrench was invented by Johan Petter Johansson of Bahco. The common use of "Crescent wrench" to describe this design is derived from the Crescent brand, owned by Apex Brands, Inc. Apex Tool Group, LLC. adjustable
Self-adjusting wrench self-adjusting wrench self-adjusting spanner
With a serrated jaw which is self-tightening. adjustable
Monkey wrench derivative from Rogers 1903 p172.png monkey wrench gas grips
King Dick
Trimo pattern Aluminum Pipe Wrenches.jpg pipe wrench Stillson wrench
Pipe wrench
Socket wrench and sockets.JPG socket wrench socket wrench
socket spanner
A hollow cylinder that fits over one end of a nut or bolt head. It may include a handle, if it does not then it is often just referred to as a socket and is usually used with various drive tools to make it a wrench or spanner such as a ratchet handle, a tee bar (sliding tommy bar) bar or a knuckle bar (single axis pivot). It generally has a six-point, eight-point or twelve-point recess, may be shallow or deep, and may have a built-in universal joint. (The photo shows both ratchet and sockets.) socket
Breaker bar.jpg breaker bar
break-over handle
knuckle bar
jointed nut spinner
flex head nut spinner
Power Bar
This tool is a long non-ratcheting bar that allows the user to impart considerable torque to fasteners, especially in cases where corrosion has resulted in a difficult-to-loosen part. socket
Crow's foot wrench.jpg crowfoot wrench
crow's-foot wrench
crow's foot A type of wrench designed to use the same drive sizes as socket wrenches, but non-cylindrical in shape. The ends are the same as those found on the open-end, box-end, or the flare-nut wrenches. These wrenches are used when torque must be measured, or when the application precludes the use of a regular socket or wrench. Also used in place of conventional open/box wrenches where the wrenches are large, usually at a lower cost, or for when space and weight restrictions are critical. socket
Socket wrench and sockets.JPG ratchet wrench ratchet handle It contains a one-way mechanism which allows the socket to be turned without removing it from the nut or bolt simply by cycling the handle backward and forward. (The photo shows both ratchet and sockets.) socket
Speed wrench.jpg speed handle
speed wrench
speed handle
crank handle
speed brace
A crank-shaped handle that drives a socket. The socket-driving analog of the brace used to drive a drill bit. Used instead of a ratchet in a few contexts when it can save substantial time and effort—that is, when there is a lot of turning to be done (many fasteners), ample room to swing the handle, ample access to the fastener heads, etc. Has less leverage than a conventional ratchet wrench. Used occasionally in automotive repair or job shop work. socket
Dinamometrica digital.jpg torque wrench torque wrench A socket wrench drive tool that is employed to impart a precise amount of torque to a fastener, essential in many cases during the assembly of precision mechanisms. socket
Allen wrench and screw (PSF).png Allen wrench
Allen key
hex key
L wrench
Allen key A wrench used to turn screw or bolt heads designed with a hexagonal socket (recess) to receive the wrench. The wrenches come in two common forms: L-shaped and T-handles. The L-shaped wrenches are formed from hexagonal wire stock, while the T-handles are the same hex wire stock with a metal or plastic handle attached to the end. There are also indexable-driver-bits that can be used in indexable screwdrivers. keys
Screw Head - Bristol.svg Bristol wrench
Bristol spline wrench
Alligator wrench 002.png alligator wrench  ? A formerly common type of wrench that was popular with mechanics, factory workers, and farmers for maintenance, repair and operations tasks in the days when fasteners often had square rather than hex heads. The wrench's shape suggests the open mouth of an alligator. historical
ConeWrenches.jpg cone wrench cone spanner A thin open-end wrench used to fit narrow wrench flats of adjustable bearing bicycle hubs. Called a "cone" wrench because it fits wrench flats of the cone section of a "cup and cone" hub, this tool is also used with some other adjustable hub bearings. The wrench is very thin so has little strength; to compensate, cone wrenches typically have a large head. Most bicycle front hubs use a 13 mm; most rears use 15 mm. specialty
Die wrench handle holding a die, plus a second die..jpg die-stock
die wrench[3]
die stock
die holder
CleBatterieRock.JPG drum key
lug wrench
drum wrench
drum key A small, square-head socket wrench used on drum (percussion musical instrument) tuning lugs and fasteners. This key is often interchangeable with radiator bleed keys. specialty
Kluc rurkovy.jpg spark plug wrench box spanner
tube spanner
spark plug spanner
drum wrench
bung wrench
 ? A tool commonly used to open bungs on large 55-gallon drums (cylindrical containers). specialty
fire hydrant wrench (hose connection)  ? The hose connection has a threaded collar with a protruding pin. From the handle of the wrench an arc has at its end a loop to engage the pin. specialty
Fire Hydrant Key fire hydrant wrench (valve operator)  ? This is a pentagonal (five-sided) box wrench. The unusual shape of the lug makes the valve tamper-resistant: with the opposite faces nonparallel, unauthorized opening of the hydrant is more difficult without a suitable tool. specialty
Curb key curb key Toby key This is a wrench for opening and closing valves on municipal water pipes (often at the curb, hence the name). The valve usually has a rectangular lug and is set deep into the ground, requiring the key. specialty
golf shoe spike wrench  ? A T-handle wrench with two pins and clearance for the spike—allows removal and insertion of spikes in shoes. specialty
Kreuzschlüssel.jpg 4-way lug wrench
wheel lug cross wrench
cross rim wrench
spider wrench
wheel brace A socket wrench used to turn lug nuts on automobile wheels. specialty
Oil filter wrench 002B.jpg
oil-filter wrench oil filter wrench
chain wrench
Plumber key.jpg plumber wrench multigrips
multigrip pliers
A tool to screw (rotate with force) various pipes during plumbing. specialty
 ? rigger-jigger A spanner can be used in attaching riggers to rowing boats with offset to allow users fingers to keep grip when flush with boat. 10 mm at one end, 13 mm at the other. specialty
Sink wrench.jpg basin wrench
sink wrench
basin wrench A self-tightening wrench mounted at the end of a shaft with a transverse handle at the opposite end. Used to tighten or loosen fasteners located in recesses. specialty
Tiengaatssleutel.jpg dogbone wrench dumbbell spanner A compact spanner for multiple sizes, usually used for bicycles specialty
Fahrrad-Speichenschlüssel 1792.JPG spoke wrench nipple wrench
spoke key
A wrench with a clearance slot for a wire wheel spoke such as a bicycle wheel and a drive head for the adjustment nipple nut. The handle is offset to make the wrench more convenient to grip, and the handle is short to fit between spokes, allowing the wrench to turn 360 degrees without being removed. specialty
Spud wrench aka construction wrench from Colvin and Stanley 1910 p65.png spud wrench podging spanner
A steel erecting tool which consists of a normal wrench at one end and a spike (drift pin) at the other, used for lining up bolt holes (typically when mating two pipe flanges). specialty
Chain whip tool.jpg chain whip A self-tightening wrench that engages the teeth of a chain drive sprocket, and used typically to remove bicycle cogsets. Similar to a strap wrench, but uses positive engagement rather than friction, and so needs to grab only one end of the chain. specialty
Oil filter wrench 001B.jpg
strap wrench
chain wrench
strap wrench
chain wrench
WrenchTapBarT.jpg tap wrench
tap handle
tappet wrench  ? A spanner of small to moderate size constructed similarly to an open ended wrench, but with a thinner cross section. Its purpose is to apply torque to the fasteners found on the valve trains of older engines, especially automobile engines, where the valve train required adjustment of the tappets (also known as lifters). Tappets, push rods, rocker arms and similar adjustable pieces are often equipped with locknuts which are thinner than standard nuts, due to space limitations. Frequently, the hex section of the adjustment is contiguous to the lock nut, thus requiring a thinner "tappet wrench" to be used. specialty
TuningWrench.jpg tuning wrench tuning "T" hammer
piano tuning lever
A socket wrench used to tune some stringed musical instruments. Similar, and in some cases identical to drum tuning keys, but often provide greater torque due to the higher tension of strings. specialty
wing nut wrench A tool specifically for use with wing nuts, allowing the application of greater torque than is possible by hand. It is generally advised[by whom?] not to use such spanners for tightening the wing nut, but rather only for loosening. It is a "hand saver" more than anything else. specialty
graduated wrench[citation needed]  ? An adjustable wrench with a small number (usually 2–4) of discrete sizes. This is sometimes used as an inexpensive substitute for a monkey wrench.
power wrench  ? A broad type of wrenches that use electricity or compressed air to power the wrench. power
Impact wrench 01.jpg impact wrench
impact driver
pneumatic spanner
windy spanner
rattle gun
impact driver

Windy gun

A powered wrench which delivers quick, repeated impulses of torque. Typically powered by air, but can also be electric. Most people have heard its familiar rap-rap-rap noise while being used in an auto repair shop. Although many professionals use them to tighten lug nuts on vehicle wheels, do-it-yourselfers should use a torque wrench since an impact wrench can often over-torque and damage the threads on lug nuts and wheel studs. Impact wrenches are great for loosening stubborn, difficult-to-remove nuts and bolts. power

Other types of keys[edit]

These types of keys are not emically classified as wrenches by English speakers, but they are etically similar in function to wrenches.

American name British/Commonwealth name Description Group
Chuck keys various 003.png chuck key chuck key A key used to tighten or loosen a chuck.[4] household/industrial
Churchkey01B.png church key, bottle opener church key, bottle opener A key used to remove bottle caps or to pierce can lids.[5] household
Paint can key 001.jpg paint can key  ? A key used to open the lids of paint cans. Its upturned edge helps to apply a levering motion to the crimped lip of the can lid. household
Sillcock key 001.jpg sillcock key sillcock key, loose key, tap key A key used to open or close sillcock valves. Many are designed the same way as a spider-type lug wrench, with four common sizes (one on each end) built into one portable tool. household
Window crank 001.jpg window crank window crank A socket-like key slipped over the splined shaft that operates the opening and closing of some types of window. household
Corned beef-can opener.jpg sardine can key sardine tin key A key used in opening the lids of canned fish or canned meat. A tab on the metal lid fits into the slot in the shaft of the key and the lid is wound onto the key, tearing it away from the can. household
Dentalkeyusage.jpg dental key dental key A key formerly used in dentistry for leverage in pulling teeth historical

Size designations[edit]

Main article: Wrench size
Two wrenches, both nominal size 5/8", with a diagram superimposed to show the logic that allows them both to be labeled the same when their actual sizes are clearly different (across-flats distance vs screw diameter). The larger wrench in this photo is from the 1920s or earlier; its face was polished to allow the size stamp to be visible in the photograph.

Size is usually designated by dimensions such as across-flats distance (inscribed-hexagon size). In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it had been common to define the nominal size of the wrench according to the nominal size of the screw thread that it was meant to be used with. Modern practice uses a size designation based on across-flats distance, whether measured in metric or in inch units.


  1. ^ "AskOxford". Retrieved 2010-04-20. 
  2. ^ Henry C. Mercer, Ancient Carpenters' Tools: Illustrated and Explained, Together with the Implements of the Lumberman, Joiner and Cabinet-Maker, 1928, reprint Courier Corporation - 2013, pages 271-272
  3. ^ "McMaster-Carr Catalog". www.mcmaster.com. McMaster-Carr. Retrieved October 10, 2016. 
  4. ^ "Drill Chuck Keys & Keyleashes". Retrieved 13 April 2016. 
  5. ^ "World Wide Words: Church key". World Wide Words. Retrieved 13 April 2016. 

External links[edit]