2d-60d Galvanized Penny Nail Size Chart

Galvanized Common Nails Penny Sizes

What does “d” stand for on nail specifications?

The abbreviation d represents “penny”, derived from the Latin word denarius, a silver coin widely used in ancient Rome. In daily industry communication, “d” is pronounced directly as “penny”.

Nowadays, large nails for framing and roofing rarely use penny sizing. Manufacturers usually mark products by length and application directly, such as 3-½” framing nails. Always match nail dimensions to your nail gun and construction application; incorrect size will lead to frequent jamming.

Nail shank inspection

Text Check

Deformation screening

Origin of Penny Nail Naming (Take 16d as an example)

The penny sizing system dates back to hand-forged nails. There are two mainstream explanations:

In the old days, one hundred pieces of 3.5-inch hand-forged nails cost 16 pence, hence the name 16-penny nail (16d).
A single 3.5-inch handmade nail was valued at 16 pence, shortened to 16d.

The penny system is still widely adopted in construction to avoid confusion over nail lengths for different jobs.

Standard Size Chart for Penny Nails

Penny Size	Length (Inch)	Length (mm)
2d	1	25.4
3d	1-1/4	31.8
4d	1-1/2	38.1
5d	1-3/4	44.4
6d	2	50.8
7d	2-1/4	57.1
8d	2-1/2	63.5
9d	2-3/4	69.8
10d	3	76.2
12d	3-1/4	82.6
16d	3-1/2	88.9
20d	4	101.6
30d	4-1/2	114.3
40d	5	127.0
50d	5-1/2	139.7
60d	6	152.4

6D (2) Bright Common Nails – 50lb Box

Plastic+carton package

nails for aluminum flashing

Key Shank Diameter of Heavy-Duty Nails

40d: Shank diameter 0.177 inch, total length 5 inches
50d: Shank diameter 0.177 inch, total length 5.5 inches
60d: Shank diameter 0.177 inch, total length 6 inches
12d: Shank diameter 0.135 inch, total length 3.25 inches
20d: 6-gauge shank, 0.203 inch shank diameter, 4 inch length, 13/32 inch head diameter
Standard 10d per building codes: 0.148 inch shank diameter, 3 inch length
16d framing nail: 3-1/2 inch length, 0.162 inch shank diameter

Penny Size Increment Rule

Short nails from 2d to 16d: Each extra 1/4 inch of length adds 1 to 2 penny sizes.

Heavy long nails 20d and above: Each extra 1/2 inch of length adds 10 penny sizes.

Origin of 60d name: Historically, 120 pieces of 6-inch nails cost 60 pence, so they are called 60-penny nails (60d).

8d 10d Smooth Shank Common Nail common nails for framing

8d 10d Smooth Shank Common Nail for framing

12D steel common nails for construction

stainless siding nails

Introduction to Common Penny Nails

8d Common Nails

2-1/2 inches (63.5mm) long, used to fasten 1/2” plywood or OSB panels. Smooth shank 8d nails or 8d ring shank nails are both acceptable.

10d Common Nails

3 inches (76.2mm) long, designed for 5/8” plywood and OSB sheathing. Building codes specify standard 10d nails with 0.148” shank diameter.

16d Common Framing Nails

3.5 inches long, the primary structural fastener for house framing. 10d & 12d nails work for general framing, while 16d nails are mandatory for load-bearing structural frames.

20d Hot-Dip Galvanized Nails

6-gauge shank, 0.203” diameter, 4” length, 13/32” head diameter.

Hot-dip galvanized coating offers superior corrosion resistance for ACQ pressure-treated lumber. Only 31 nails per pound.

Labelled boxes of nails

Packing into cabinet

6D Bright Common Nail 5 lb Box

Difference Between 40d and 60d Nails

Both specifications are suitable for artificial turf installation, with two core differences:

1. Length gap: 40d is 5 inches long, 60d is 6 inches long (1-inch difference).

2. Shank thickness: 40d has a slightly thinner shank than 60d.

Both nails deliver sufficient anti-rust performance and holding power for turf projects.

Hot-Dip Galvanized Smooth Shank Nail Specification & Weight Chart

Size	Total Length	Wire Gauge	Head Diameter	Nails Per Pound	SKU
3d	1-1/4″	14ga	7/32″	546	114-030
4d	1-1/2″	12ga	1/4″	296	114-040
5d	1-3/4″	12ga	1/4″	194	114-050
6d	2″	11ga	17/64″	181	114-060
8d	2½”	10ga	9/32″	99	114-080
10d	3″	9ga	5/16″	69	114-100
12d	3¼”	9ga	5/16″	63	114-120
16d	3½”	8ga	11/32″	49	114-160
20d	4″	6ga	13/32″	31	114-200
30d	4½”	6ga	7/16″	24	114-300
40d	5″	6ga	15/32″	18	114-400
60d	6″	4ga	17/32″	11	114-600

Wanzhi nails cardboard box

Our nail factory workshop

Chinese galvanized common nail manufacturer

Angled Galvanized Framing Nails (21°, 28°, 30°)

Definition of Nail Strip Angle

The angle refers to the tilt angle (in degrees) of collated nails against the vertical reference line. Each angle matches a dedicated pneumatic nail gun; mismatched angles cause jamming.

15°: Nails tilt backward 15 degrees from vertical.
21°, 28°, 30° are mainstream angles for construction framing.

Application by Nail Gun Angle

28° framing nailers: Ideal for house framing, siding, flooring, subfloor & roof joists.
21° galvanized ring shank framing nails: Perfect for softwood and outdoor timber construction. Galvanized coating provides long-lasting rust resistance and high tensile strength.
30° framing nailers: Optimized for hardwood processing.
18-gauge brad nailers: For fine finish nails from 3/8” to 2”. Used to fix door/window frames, weatherstripping, baseboards, mouldings and decorative siding.

5 inch common nails Felt nails

common-nails-construction

common nails wood connection

Wanzhi Steel is an ISO 9001-certified steel factory located in Hebei, China. It has been specializing in the production of Field Fence, Galvanized Farm Fence, Poultry Netting, SS Woven Wire Mesh, Galvanised Garden Wire Mesh, and Hexagonal Wire Netting for 14 years, with a monthly output of 1,800 tons. With high-quality products and good services, its products have been exported to more than 120 countries around the world.

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