# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Staples & Clips

24/6 European Staple vs. 26/6 Standard Staple

Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 7 key differences identified.

Comparing:
24/6 European Staple
26/6 Standard Staple

The 24/6 staple (standardized under DIN 7405) is the primary European office stapler standard, featuring a 24-gauge wire (approx. 0.51 mm diameter) with a 6 mm leg length and 12.7 mm crown width. Utilizing thicker steel wire than 26/6, it provides superior column strength to penetrate dense, high-grammage coated paper without leg buckling.

View full 24/6 European Staple spec sheet →

The 26/6 staple (standardized under DIN 7405) is the most common standard for desktop office staplers worldwide. The numbering designates a 26-gauge wire (approx. 0.40 mm diameter) with a 6 mm (1/4 inch) leg length and a 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) crown width, engineered to fasten 20 to 30 sheets of standard 80 gsm paper.

View full 26/6 Standard Staple spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

9 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Crown Width
12.7 mm (0.50 in) 12.7 mm (0.50 in / 1/2 in)
Leg Length
6.0 mm (0.24 in) 6.0 mm (0.24 in / approx. 1/4 in)
Conductor Wire Gauge (AWG)
24 AWG (approx. 0.511 mm / 0.0201 in wire diameter) 26 AWG (approx. 0.404 mm / 0.0159 in wire diameter)
Standard Sheet Capacity
25 to 35 sheets (80 gsm paper) 20 to 30 sheets (80 gsm bond paper)
Buckling Resistance
+58% greater wire cross-sectional area compared to 26/6
Stapler Compatibility
Standard European desk staplers (Novus, Leitz, Rapid, Kangaro marked '24/6–26/6')
Strip Quantity Standard
Full strip (210 staples) or Half strip (105 staples)
Comparison to 24/6
26/6 has thinner wire (0.40 mm) than 24/6 (0.51 mm), providing lower stapling effort on normal stacks
Primary Applications
Universal desktop office staplers (Swingline 747, Bostitch, Rexel, Rapid)