Socket Sizes in Order From Smallest to Largest

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Updated on November 14, 2022

You’d think that a list of socket sizes in order would be pretty simple. Well, there’s a bit more to it than that. Along with the two different measurement standards (metric and SAE), you also have to consider what size drive you’re using.

Whether you just got your first socket set, want to know which sizes you’re missing in your socket organizer, or simply need a quick reference to see if a metric size converts to SAE, check out the tables below to see the all socket sizes from smallest to largest.

Note: No single socket set will include all the sizes listed below nor would you ever need them all. Other sizes may be available but are probably too obscure to include.

CLICK HERE to download charts as a PDF file.

Metric Socket Sizes Chart

1/4" Drive3/8" Drive1/2" Drive3/4" Drive1" Drive
4mm5.5mm8mm19mm36mm
4.5mm6mm9mm20mm38mm
5mm7mm10mm21mm41mm
5.5mm8mm11mm22mm46mm
6mm9mm12mm23mm50mm
7mm10mm13mm24mm54mm
8mm11mm14mm25mm55mm
9mm12mm15mm26mm58mm
10mm13mm16mm27mm60mm
11mm14mm17mm28mm63mm
12mm15mm18mm29mm65mm
13mm16mm19mm30mm67mm
14mm17mm20mm31mm70mm
15mm18mm21mm32mm71mm
19mm22mm33mm75mm
20mm23mm34mm77mm
21mm24mm35mm80mm
22mm25mm36mm
26mm38mm
27mm40mm
28mm41mm
30mm42mm
32mm45mm
46mm
48mm
50mm

SAE Socket Sizes Chart

1/4" Drive3/8" Drive1/2" Drive3/4" Drive1" Drive
5/32"1/4"3/8"7/8"1-5/8"
3/16"5/16"7/16"15/16"1-11/16"
7/32"3/8"1/2"1"1-3/4"
1/4"7/16"9/16"1-1/16"1-13/16"
9/32"1/2"19/32"1-1/8"1-7/8"
5/16"9/16"5/8"1-3/16"2"
11/32"5/8"21/32"1-1/4"2-1/8"
3/8"11/16"11/16"1-5/16"2-3/16"
7/16"3/4"3/4"1-3/8"2-1/4"
1/2"13/16"25/32"1-7/16"2-3/8"
9/16"7/8"13/16"1-1/2"2-1/2"
15/16"7/8"1-5/8"2-5/8"
1"15/16"1-11/16"2-3/4"
1"1-3/4"2-15/16"
1-1/16"1-13/16"3"
1-1/8"1-7/8"3-1/8"
1-3/16"2"
1-1/4"2-1/8"
1-1/2"2-3/16"
2-1/4"

SAE to Metric Conversion Chart

Ever come across a nut or bolt where you need two of the same size wrench? Can't find a certain size of standard wrench or socket and want to know what the metric equivalent (or vice versa)? This chart will help.
SAE SizeMetric SizeInches Decimal
5/32"0.1565/32" and 4mm are
close enough
4mm0.157
4.5mm0.177
3/16"0.188
5mm0.197
5.5mm0.216
7/32"0.219
6mm0.236
1/4"0.250
6.5mm0.256
7mm0.276
9/32"0.281
5/16"0.3135/16" and 8mm are
close enough
8mm0.315
11/32"0.344
9mm0.354
3/8"0.375
10mm0.394
13/32"0.406
11mm0.4337/16" and 11mm are
close enough
7/16"0.438
15/32"0.46915/32" and 12mm are
close enough
12mm0.472
1/2"0.500
13mm0.512
17/32"0.531
14mm0.551
9/16"0.563
15mm0.59119/32" and 15mm are
close enough
19/32"0.594
5/8"0.6255/8" and 16mm are
close enough
16mm0.630
21/32"0.656
17mm0.669
11/16"0.688
18mm0.709
23/32"0.719
19mm0.7483/4" and 19mm are
close enough
3/4"0.750
25/32"0.781
20mm0.787
13/16"0.813
21mm0.827
27/32"0.844
22mm0.866
7/8"0.875
23mm0.90629/32" and 23mm are
close enough
29/32"0.906
15/16"0.938
24mm0.945
25mm0.984
1"1.000
26mm1.024
1-1/16"1.0631-1/16" and 27mm are
close enough
27mm1.063
28mm1.102
1-1/8"1.125
29mm1.142
30mm1.181
1-3/16"1.188
31mm1.220
1-1/4"1.250
32mm1.260
33mm1.299
1-5/16"1.313
34mm1.339
1-3/8"1.3751-3/8" and 35mm are
close enough
35mm1.378
36mm1.417
1-7/16"1.438
37mm1.457
38mm1.4961-1/2" and 38mm are
close enough
1-1/2"1.500

See Also: Light Bulb Socket Sizes (w/ Charts)

Drive Sizes

The drive size on a ratchet (aka: socket wrench) is the small square connection fitting at the end of the ratchet. This fitting accepts sockets of the same size. There are 3 common ratchet drive sizes used in shops and home garages but other drive sizes also exist.

1/4″ Drive

Used for low torque, precision, or interior work. Usually you want to use with a socket size 12mm or smaller (but up to 14mm for low torque applications).

3/8″ Drive

The most versatile and useful drive size for most people. Use it for engine work or all purpose use around your home. It allows you to apply quite a bit of torque yet fits in spots that a 1/2″ drive won’t.

Generally, you’ll want to use with 12mm to 18mm sockets (or larger if the torque won’t be too high). Spark plug sockets almost always require a 3/8″ drive.

1/2″ Drive

Used for instances where a lot of torque is required such as a car’s lug nuts or exhaust system or if driving large lag bolts into your wall studs to install a flat screen TV. Generally used for 19mm and larger sockets or impact sockets.

Other Socket Drive Sizes

While most individuals will never need anything other than the three drive sizes above, ratchets with 3/4″, 1″, 1-1/2″, and higher drive sizes do exist. These are most often used for industrial applications or on vehicles such as large trucks, tractors, and tanks.

Related: 6-Point vs 12-Point Socket Comparison

Looking for a list of wrench sizes along with a conversion chart?

See: Wrench Sizes in Order from Smallest to Largest


See Also: Hole Saw Sizes Chart

62 thoughts on “Socket Sizes in Order From Smallest to Largest”

    • Haha, yeah it just looks like a mess of numbers but feel free to ask a specific question if you want. We all have to start somewhere. The average person will never use most of these socket sizes though.

      Reply
      • This chart helped me A BUNCH! I acquired 3 buckets of wrenches, sockets & drives from my dads collection and was trying to put together sets….. I have a tbi (traumatic brain injury) and numbers/math is one of my weaknesses now. So far I’ve put together 3 complete sets & am setting up a young man who loves to work on his Jeep. I’ll still have 2 sets of my own! Thank you !

        Reply
    • Asked google what Metric size socket to use cause you tube guy is still old school SAE & he said I need 1 inch & 1/4 socket! What the hell, I asked Google & I can’t get simple answer? I it 32 mil Metric?

      Reply
  1. Outstanding list of sockets with the close enough sockets. I am going to use this list to inventory all my sockets.
    It would be helpful if you would list the different types of wrenches with the sizes, we could inventory our wrenches like we can with the sockets.

    Good job,
    Bob Minery

    Reply
  2. I’m a lady trying to sort out all my grandpa’s tools since he passed away- I knew nothing about the sockets and wrenches all over the place, but wanted to make complete sets. This guide was indispensable. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. I wish you would put the measurements side by side so I knew what one was metric and which one was SAE.

    Reply
    • The SAE to Metric Conversion Chart above should have what you need. There are no “exact” equivalents with standard vs metric sizes so that’s the best I can do.

      Reply
  4. Very helpful guide. My toolbox is now organized and I have a list of sockets I need doubles of (I always have two of each size and of each lengths (standard, half deep, full deep) in all drive sizes and in metric too. Always keep two of everything. Yes that includes two of each box wrenches. And ratchets which I keep three of each of. Adds up to a lot of sockets. But add a little at a time. This guide helps with that. Helps you keep inventory on what you need next…like 4.5 and 5.5mm never in any sets, etc. Big 1/4″ drive sockets and 6 and 12 point sockets to boot! Needless to say you need a pro box. Or three. But I am a NHRA race car mechanic this is my life. Thank you for the graph it being helpful is an understatement.

    Reply
  5. Great site lots of really useful information.

    I visited looking for information about 9/32 drive sockets. I saw a ratchet on ebay and was inquisitive as to why this size was ever produced, it’s only .031 bigger than a 1/4 drive. There must be a logical explanation, or perhaps the 1/4 drive was just a natural evolution?

    Reply
  6. Great guide, thank you for taking the time to put it together! I noticed a small error that I wanted to bring to the author’s attention – 1″ is missing from the table of 3/4″drive SAE sockets.

    Cheers!

    Reply
  7. The odd size of some sockets and ratchets are called Wentworth. These are English sized, enough said.

    If you are working on an older British bike you either need wentworth or crecent wrench. it may say 1/2″…but it’s British 1/2″.

    Reply
    • Could I just correct a comment by JTO please? The English size to which he refers is called Whitworth not Wentworth. (Although that does sound a great name for a socket).

      The Whitworth standard was created by an Englishman named Joseph Whitworth in 1841. He also created the Whitworth Sharpshooters rifle used by the Confederates in your Civil War. Whitworth sizes are a bit weird but no stranger than SAE or BS and were originally produced to match the various bolt heads used on Roman chariots and hence many of the French ships that the Royal Navy captured in the 18th century. There’s an interesting note on Joseph in wikipedia.

      Reply
  8. I wanna get into DIY’ing, mainly working on my own vehicle. reading your article made me decide to go with 3/8″ drive, however im not sure what sizes is a must have in a set.

    Reply
  9. friend (car mechanic) went to used tool sales, estate auctions, etc and gave me 4 tubs of assorted tools. I knew about 6 and 12 point sockets, deepwells, thin walled sockets that fit into a hole to get nut and bolt, but I also have a lot of hardened sockets for air compressor applications? Also got sets of brake wrenches? and some I do not know that they are used for. The hardened sockets are my main concern at this time. any info about those type?

    Reply
    • Hardened sockets are essentially impact sockets made of hardened steel that can withstand high torque applications of air impact sockets (or cordless impact). They are much less prone to strip or break.

      Reply
    • According to this, an E18 Torx is comparable to a .652″ (or 16.64mm) size. The closest SAE size would be 21/32 (which isn’t so common). Even if you had that size, there’s a good chance it would slip.

      Reply
      • I didn’t include it in the common socket sizes chart since it’s a very uncommon size. I don’t know of any socket set that includes it. But it would fall between 7/16″ and 1/2″.

        Reply
  10. I have a CR-V 1/2″ socket, needed a backup wrench, bought a 1/2″ wrench and it is much larger than the socket?? English socket?

    Reply
  11. Thank you for this ! someone stole all my tools and boxes i had no way to find what tool i needed in a timely manner this guide helped me set up a peg board with all the sizes on my sockets that’s going to make life a lot easier

    Reply
  12. Thank you , like so many people I have tool sets I’ve bought at auctions and yard sales that are missing sockets . I do recommend that if someone has a lot of sockets and wrenches to sort through they should download and print a PDF file of the list you provided , I did . So Thank You !!

    Reply
  13. I’m trying to repair my lawn mower, the largest socket I have is just a bit too small and it’s 13/16. I have no idea what the next size up or 2 sizes up would be called?

    Reply
    • Technically, 27/32″ is the next size up but very uncommon. 7/8″ would be the next size up in SAE but you may actually need a 21 or 22mm in metric. It depends on the brand of mower.

      Reply
  14. Great info. Thanks!
    I have a nut on my old capri convertible, difficult to get at. Im worried of stripping it as 9mm is too small but 10mm seems to jave alot of ‘play’ is there an sae spanner i should look for? Cheers

    Reply
    • Make sure you’re using a 6-point socket but if there’s still play, a 3/8″ socket falls right between 9 & 10mm so that may work the best. There may be a bit of rust or other coating on the head.

      Reply
  15. I’m looking for a 5/32 socket (4mm??) that has a thin sidewall – something that I can insert into a FS-90 weed-eater (port) to adjust the “L” and “H” idle speeds. My Craftsman 5/32 socket is too large for the 5/32 opening. Looking for a thin 5/32 socket.

    Thanks.

    Reply
  16. Awesome site. I have problems with old B&S lawnmover cutting blade. 9/16″ is too big for the bolt as well as 14mm. Next trying to found somewhere 17/32″!! šŸ™‚

    Summer greetings from Finland!

    Reply

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