When working with nuts, it’s often easier to measure the outside length (width across flats) than the inner diameter. With this measurement, you can determine the nut’s nominal size and select the correct tools.
How It Works
-
Measure the outside length of the nut using calipers or a ruler.
-
Use a conversion reference to find the nominal size. For example:
-
If the outside length measures 22mm, this corresponds to a 14mm nut.
-
-
This method is especially helpful when the inner diameter is hard to measure or unknown.
Reference Tool
For a complete guide to metric nut sizes and conversions, you can refer to this printable chart:
Metric Nut Sizes PDF
Using outside length measurements allows you to quickly identify the nut size and ensures proper tool selection for safe and efficient fastening.