Best Nails for DIYers
The right nail holds framing, trim, roofing, and decking securely for the life of the build. The choice is the type (framing, finish, roofing), the coating for corrosion, and collated (for nail guns) versus loose. Match it to the job.
What to look for
- ·Match the nail to the job: framing nails for structure, finish and brad nails for trim, roofing nails for shingles, and galvanized or stainless for outdoor and treated wood.
- ·Collated nails (in strips or coils) feed nail guns; loose nails are for hand-nailing and small jobs.
- ·Use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless nails outdoors and with treated lumber, or they rust and stain.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grip-Rite Collated Framing Nails | Editor's pick | $30 to $60 per box | Framing with a nail gun |
| Grip-Rite Galvanized Roofing Nails | Editor's pick | $15 to $40 per box | Roofing and shingles |
| Bostitch Collated Brad/Finish Nails | Editor's pick | $8 to $25 per box | Trim and finish work |
| Store-Brand Collated Framing Nails | Best value | $25 to $50 per box | Value framing nailing |
| Common Nails (Loose, Bulk) | Best value | $10 to $30 per box | Hand-nailing framing |
| Galvanized Box Nails | Best value | $12 to $30 per box | Outdoor value fastening |
| Finishing Nails (Loose) | Budget pick | $5 to $15 per box | Hand-nailing trim |
| Bulk Nail Assortment | Budget pick | $8 to $20 per kit | General repairs |
| Store-Brand Loose Nails | Budget pick | $4 to $12 per box | Lowest-cost small jobs |
Editor's pick
Grip-Rite Collated Framing Nails
$30 to $60 per box
Reliable collated framing nails for pneumatic framing nailers, in bright and galvanized, widely available. The pick for fast, dependable structural nailing.
Best for: Framing with a nail gun
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Grip-Rite Galvanized Roofing Nails
$15 to $40 per box
Hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails that resist rust under shingles, in loose and coil form. The pick for a roof that holds for decades.
Best for: Roofing and shingles
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Bostitch Collated Brad/Finish Nails
$8 to $25 per box
Quality collated brad and finish nails for trim nailers, driving clean with consistent feeding. The pick for finish carpentry and trim work.
Best for: Trim and finish work
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Best value
Store-Brand Collated Framing Nails
$25 to $50 per box
Value collated framing nails for pneumatic nailers at a lower price. A dependable value for big framing jobs where you go through a lot.
Best for: Value framing nailing
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Common Nails (Loose, Bulk)
$10 to $30 per box
Bulk loose common nails for hand-nailing framing and general construction. A practical value for hand work and keeping common sizes stocked.
Best for: Hand-nailing framing
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Galvanized Box Nails
$12 to $30 per box
Hot-dipped galvanized box and common nails for outdoor and treated-wood projects at a value price. A solid value for rust-resistant fastening.
Best for: Outdoor value fastening
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Budget pick
Finishing Nails (Loose)
$5 to $15 per box
Loose finishing and casing nails for hand-nailing trim, molding, and doors. An inexpensive staple for finish work and small repairs.
Best for: Hand-nailing trim
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Bulk Nail Assortment
$8 to $20 per kit
A mixed assortment of common, finish, and brad nails for general home repairs and projects. The handy, cheap way to have many sizes on hand.
Best for: General repairs
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon, Walmart.
Store-Brand Loose Nails
$4 to $12 per box
The cheapest loose nails for occasional hand-nailing and small jobs. Basic bright finish, fine for indoor, non-critical fastening at the lowest cost.
Best for: Lowest-cost small jobs
Typically available at Home Depot, Walmart.
Frequently asked
What nails do I need for what?+
Framing (common) nails for structural framing, finish and brad nails for trim and molding, casing nails for doors and windows, roofing nails for shingles and felt, and galvanized or stainless nails for outdoor, decking, and treated wood. Match the nail type and length to the material and load.
What does the nail "penny" size mean?+
The penny system (abbreviated d, like 16d) is a traditional sizing where a higher number means a longer nail, 16d is about 3.5 inches (common for framing), 8d about 2.5 inches. It is an old standard you will see on framing and common nails; just match the length the job calls for.
Galvanized, stainless, or bright nails?+
Bright (uncoated) nails are for dry interior use only. Hot-dipped galvanized nails resist rust for exterior and treated-wood use. Stainless nails are the most corrosion-proof, for decks, cedar, and coastal areas where staining and rust must be avoided. Outdoor jobs need galvanized or stainless.
Collated or loose nails?+
Collated nails come in strips or coils to feed a nail gun, which is how framing and trim are done fast. Loose nails are for hand-nailing and small jobs. Buy collated nails matched to your specific nailer (angle and gauge), and keep some loose nails for hand work.
How many nails do I need?+
It depends on the job and nailing schedule (code specifies spacing for framing and roofing). Nails are cheap, so buy a bit extra. Collated nails come in box counts (often 1,000 to 5,000); estimate your fasteners per square foot or per board and round up.