How to Measure Socket Drive Size

The drive sockets play a very important role in any kind of tightening and loosening work. However, if you want to get tightening and loosening results successfully, you must use the correct size sockets with a socket wrench. The sockets come in different sizes, that’s why there are many ways to measure it correctly.

And because of not being able to measure drive sockets correctly, many simple tasks become difficult for us. And for this, we will discuss in this article how to measure socket drive size topics. So let’s get started.

How to Measure Socket Drive Size

The size of the socket head is usually measured in two systems, the first is imperial (inches), and the other is metric (millimeters). The drive socket size is always calculated according to imperial measurements as it is considered international standards from these two sizes.

So let’s get some idea about these two socket measurements.

Imperial System

The Imperial system was first introduced in the U.S. It was used in the field of weighing systems in 1965. Later, the metric system appeared in Britain.

At present imperial systems measurements are applied to sockets in inches and fractions of an inch, And the head size of imperial sockets is usually 5/32 inches to 1/2 inches.

Although imperial measurements are found primarily in the USA, most automotive tools are made in the United States. Therefore, the use of this measurement has increased exponentially since the tools were supplied to all countries.

Metric System

Metric systems are another wide range of used measurement systems. It was first used in the United Kingdom in 1965. However, the United States is the only country that has not adopted metric systems as its measurements system. But, it was later approved for use.

Metric systems measurements are applied to sockets as millimeters, and the head size of the metric socket is usually in the range of 3 mm to 80 mm.

How to Measure a Nut for a Socket Size

In this section, we will show you how to measure drive socket size in both imperial and metric systems, but in this case, you will need a digital caliper to determine the socket size quickly. After taking the digital caliper, follow the next steps.

Imperial System

Step 1:

First, turn on the digital caliper, then set it to inches for the measure on imperial systems.

Step 2:

Then set the nut on a flat surface, then open the jaws of the digital caliper enough to fit perfectly with the nut.

Then close the jaws of the caliper on both the flat side of the nuts.

Step 3:

Then in the display of the caliper, you can see the size of the nuts in decimal. However, since the size of the imperial sockets is a fraction of an inch, you need to look at the decimal to fraction. For this, you have to go to the Ham Universe website, and there are a lot of charts available in various sizes and measurements; you can easily see the value of your Decimal to Fraction from that chart.

Note: If you do not find the value of a fraction according to the size of your nuts, you need to find the size of the socket in the metric systems for your nuts. Follow the next method for this.

Metric System

Step 1:

First, turn on your digital caliper, then set it to millimeters for determining metric systems measurements.

Step 2:

Then again, like the previous imperial systems, set the nut on a flat surface, then open the jaws of the digital caliper enough to fit perfectly with the nut.

Then close the jaws of the caliper on both the flat side of the nuts.

Step 3:

Then you can see the size of nuts in decimal in the display of the digital caliper. However, since the metric sockets are in millimeters, go to the Ham Universe website again and find the size of the required socket of nuts according to your millimeters size.

What Is The Standard Socket Wrench Size?

You can see three types of common socket sizes in the market, they are:

• 1/4 inches or 0.6 centimeters
• 3/8 inches or 0.9 centimeters
• 1/2 inches or 1.3 centimeters

These can be used for different purposes according to different socket sizes effortlessly.

• 1/4 inch is designed to work with smaller sockets, and it used to do the smallest projects.
• 3/8 inches is used with medium sockets. It is a common size, with which you can do small and medium work effortlessly. It is perfect for use, especially for cars. 
• 1/2 inch is the largest size, and it is also used in industrial work. For example, it can be used to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts up to 10 mm.

What are the wrenches sizes?

1. Imperial Combination Wrenches (1/4, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7 / 8, 15/16, 1)
2. Metric Combination Wrenches (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
3. Regular Flare Nut Wrenches (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 7/8)

Metric Socket Sizes Chart

1/4” Drive	3/8” Drive	1/2” Drive	3/4” Drive	1” Drive
4mm	5.5mm	8mm	19mm	36mm
4.5mm	6mm	9mm	20mm	38mm
5mm	7mm	10mm	21mm	41mm
5.5mm	8mm	11mm	22mm	46mm
6mm	9mm	12mm	23mm	50mm
7mm	10mm	13mm	24mm	54mm
8mm	11mm	14mm	25mm	55mm
9mm	12mm	15mm	26mm	58mm
10mm	13mm	16mm	27mm	60mm
11mm	14mm	17mm	28mm	63mm
12mm	15mm	18mm	29mm	65mm
13mm	16mm	19mm	30mm	67mm
14mm	17mm	20mm	31mm	70mm
15mm	18mm	21mm	32mm	71mm
	19mm	22mm	33mm	75mm
	20mm	23mm	34mm	77mm
	21mm	24mm	35mm	80mm
	22mm	25mm	36mm
		26mm	38mm
		27mm	40mm
		28mm	41mm
		30mm	42mm

FAQs

Q: Can I use a metric socket with an SAE fastener?

A: It is not recommended as the slight difference in measurements can cause a poor fit, leading to potential damage or injuries.

Q: How can I identify the socket drive size if it’s not labeled?

A: You can use a socket drive size chart or vernier calipers to measure the size accurately.

Q: Is it safe to use a larger socket on a smaller fastener?

A: No, using a larger socket may lead to a loose fit, causing damage to the fastener or the tool.

Q: Are impact sockets and regular sockets the same regarding drive size?

A: Yes, both impact and regular sockets have the same drive size and can be used interchangeably with compatible tools.

Q: Why is using the correct socket drive size important?

A: Using the correct socket drive size ensures a secure fit, preventing slippage and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the tool.

Final Verdict

Hopefully, you have got the idea with ​​many more bonus topics related to this article, including how to measure socket drive size. It will help you a lot in doing some advanced-level work. If you have any questions related to this topic, you can inform us in the comments section below.