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Nail Gun Gauge Chart | a Size Chart for Your Right Nail

Updated on November 7, 2021 · Leave a Comment

Though 15 and 16 gauge nail guns are more popular, that’s not what kills every bird. The more the gauge size, the less the thickness of the nail. That’s how your nail gun gauge chart goes. 

If you want to know about the gauge sizes of all nail guns, a nail gun gauge chart is the one you should look for. I’ve prepared a rather shorthanded and effective one for you. The augmentation of their corresponding uses will just boost your deciding drive. You can find your desired nail gun easily by glancing at it.

nail gun gauge chart

Table of Contents

  • Nail Gun Gauge Chart at a Glance
  • Nail Gun Gauge Chart
  • Nail Gun Types with Gauges
    • 1. Brad Nailer
    • 2. Finish Nailer
    • 3. Pin Nailer
    • 4. Staple Nailer
    • 5. Flooring Nailer
    • 6. Roofing Nailer
  • Importance of Nail Gun Gauge Chart
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Lastly

Nail Gun Gauge Chart at a Glance

Nail GunSize (Gauge)Poplar Usages
Brad Nailer18 gaugenailing slim baseboards
Finish  Nailer16, 15, and 14 gaugebaseboards, crown molding, window and door casings, chair rails, nailing thick baseboards, etc.
Pin Nailer21 and 23 gaugefurniture trimming, trim pieces, super-thin veneers, etc.
Staple Nailer18 gaugefastening molding and trimming to walls
Flooring Nailer15, 16, 18, and 20 gaugehardwood flooring
Roofing Nailer10, 11, and 12 gaugenailing roof shingles 

Nail Gun Gauge Chart

Sometimes you can get confused about the gauge number and the nail size. You need to remember that a large gauge number refers to thinner nails. 

Nail Gun Types with Gauges

There are six types of nail guns you can buy according to the nail gauge chart. Most of them use different sizes and kinds of the nail for nailing purposes.

1. Brad Nailer

Among the nail guns, a brad nail gun is one of the most versatile nail guns. It is a beginner-friendly nailer. Because it is not heavy like other nail guns and also does accurate nailing.

18 Gauge

Brad nailer uses only 18 gauge nails which are small and thin. It fastens the nails about 5/8” to 2” and leaves the shanks about 3/64”. As it is a thin nail, you can use it to nail slim baseboards.

2. Finish Nailer

A Finish nailer is used for finishing products in indoor household projects like paneling and bookshelf nailing. It can shoot nails about ¾” to 2-1/2” long pins. And it mainly uses 14, 15, and 16 gauge nails.

16 Gauge and 15 Gauge

15 and 16 gauge nails work in baseboards, crown molding, window and door casings, chair rails, etc.​ The only difference between them is in shank diameter. Sixteen gauge nails have a shank of 0.0625 inches, whereas 15 gauge have .0720 inches.

16 gauge finish nailer

15 gauge finish nailer

14 Gauge

14 gauge are thick nails that find their use more in heavy projects. You will need a thick and robust pin like a 14 gauge nail to hold the heavy products firmly. It leaves a shank about .0800 inches in diameter.

3. Pin Nailer

Pin nail guns are for trimming work. A pin nailer leaves a tiny hole in the woods or materials you are nailing. So you don’t need to fill the small gaps. According to gauge size, there are two types of pin nailers.

21 Gauge

In a 21 gauge nail gun, the shank diameter is 0.0285 inches. As you can see, it uses small nails.

23 Gauge

In a 23 gauge nail gun, the shank diameter is 0.0226 inches. 23 gauge is one of the most little nails, and you can also use headless nails in pin nail guns.

4. Staple Nailer

Staple nailer works to hold the materials firmly. Like a brad nailer, it also doesn’t make split woods.

18 Gauge Crown Stapler nailer

18 gauge narrow crown stapler fastens the wood using 18 gauge stapler nails. As the stapler nails have double legs, it lasts longer than a single leg pin. Stapler nail guns are mainly for functioning trumps forming projects.

5. Flooring Nailer

The flooring nailer uses both a stapler and nails. But it won’t grip the board and do the subfloor, which is a good thing.

15, 16, 18, or 20 Gauge

They have a sharp tip, a rigid body, and a smooth shank to allow little seasonal movement. As they are available in 15, 16, 18, or 20 gauge, various lengths suit each application.

They fire nails in angles and deep into the tongue’s corner and through into the subfloor. Once you set the nail gun, you work for a long time efficiently.

6. Roofing Nailer

If you want to do a roofing project related to woodwork, you must use a roofing nailer. A roofing nail gun uses 3 kinds of the nail to nail down asphalt shingles of roofs.

10, 11, or 12 Gauge

There are three kinds of nails for roofing nail guns in 10, 11, 12-gauge. If you want to nail your roofing shingles or cedar shingles, you can use a 12 gauge roofing nailer. 

WEN 61783 3/4-Inch to 1-3/4-Inch Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer
WEN 61783 3/4-Inch to 1-3/4-Inch Pneumatic Coil...
Check on Amazon

Importance of Nail Gun Gauge Chart

You have to know the nail gun gauge chart before you are buying your nail guns. It is imperative to know your nail gun before you press the trigger. You may use the wrong size nailer in your projects. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the best size nail for framing? 

The best size nails for framing are 3 ½ inches long, which are described as 16d nails. But the most common types of framing nails are used 16d, 10d, 8d, and 6d.

  • Can I use 18 gauge nails for baseboards?

Yes, you can use18 gauge nails for baseboards. As you know, 18 nails are thin in size. So they can not nail down thick woods or baseboards. But if you are using a narrow baseboard, then you can use 18 gauge nails.

  • What is the difference between a 15 gauge and 16 gauge nail gun?

15 gauge and 16 gauge nail guns can fire nails up to 2 1/2 inches (6D to 8D long nails). One of the main differences is the diameter of the pin, where the 15 gauge is more prominent, and the angled base of the 15 gauge nailer that helps you reach corners easily.

  • Should I get a 16 gauge or 18 gauge nailer?

A 16 gauge nailer shoots thicker nails than an 18-gauge nailer. 16 gauge is better suited for jobs that require higher stability and better holding strength.

In most cases, the 16 gauge does a better job than the much thinner 18 gauge. Also, the 16 gauge delivers smoother and cleaner work than the 18 gauge nail gun.

Lastly

A nail gun gauge chart can help you have a glimpse of the guns in the market and their nails. Indeed, you don’t need to memorize all the nailers. As we suggest, molding and trimming require thinner nails. But fencing and roofing ask for a sturdier means. Thus you just need to make sure to use the right nail gun in your work.

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