# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Washers & Retaining Rings

Fender Washers vs. Retaining Rings & Circlips

Comparing 2 standards across 18 specifications. 18 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Fender Washers
Retaining Rings & Circlips

Fender washers feature an oversized outer diameter approximately three times larger than their central hole (e.g. 1/4" ID × 1.0" to 1.25" OD), designed to bridge enlarged holes and distribute clamping force across thin sheet metal, automotive panels, and wood.

View full Fender Washers spec sheet →

Retaining rings (circlips) provide removable shoulder stops in machined shaft and bore grooves, standardized under DIN 471 (External shaft circlips), DIN 472 (Internal bore circlips), and DIN 6799 (Radial E-clips).

View full Retaining Rings & Circlips spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

18 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Governing Standards
ASME B18.22.1 (Large Diameter Flat Washers) / SAE J485 DIN 471 (External) / DIN 472 (Internal) / DIN 6799 (E-Clip)
Defining Characteristic
Outer diameter is ~3× to 4× the inner bolt diameter
3/16" × 1.0" Fender Washer
ID: 0.219 in (5.6 mm) | OD: 1.00 in (25.4 mm) | Thickness: 0.050 in (1.27 mm)
1/4" × 1.0" Fender Washer
ID: 0.281 in (7.1 mm) | OD: 1.00 in (25.4 mm) | Thickness: 0.062 in (1.57 mm)
1/4" × 1.25" Fender Washer
ID: 0.281 in (7.1 mm) | OD: 1.25 in (31.8 mm) | Thickness: 0.062 in (1.57 mm)
1/4" × 1.50" Fender Washer
ID: 0.281 in (7.1 mm) | OD: 1.50 in (38.1 mm) | Thickness: 0.062 in (1.57 mm)
5/16" × 1.25" Fender Washer
ID: 0.344 in (8.7 mm) | OD: 1.25 in (31.8 mm) | Thickness: 0.062 in (1.57 mm)
5/16" × 1.50" Fender Washer
ID: 0.344 in (8.7 mm) | OD: 1.50 in (38.1 mm) | Thickness: 0.062 in (1.57 mm)
3/8" × 1.50" Fender Washer
ID: 0.406 in (10.3 mm) | OD: 1.50 in (38.1 mm) | Thickness: 0.062 in (1.57 mm)
1/2" × 2.00" Fender Washer
ID: 0.531 in (13.5 mm) | OD: 2.00 in (50.8 mm) | Thickness: 0.078 in (1.98 mm)
DIN 471 10mm External Circlip
Shaft Dia: 10 mm | Groove Dia: 9.6 mm | Groove Width: 1.1 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.0 mm
DIN 471 15mm External Circlip
Shaft Dia: 15 mm | Groove Dia: 14.3 mm | Groove Width: 1.1 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.0 mm
DIN 471 20mm External Circlip
Shaft Dia: 20 mm | Groove Dia: 19.0 mm | Groove Width: 1.3 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.2 mm
DIN 471 25mm External Circlip
Shaft Dia: 25 mm | Groove Dia: 23.9 mm | Groove Width: 1.3 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.2 mm
DIN 472 20mm Internal Circlip
Bore Dia: 20 mm | Groove Dia: 21.0 mm | Groove Width: 1.1 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.0 mm
DIN 472 25mm Internal Circlip
Bore Dia: 25 mm | Groove Dia: 26.2 mm | Groove Width: 1.3 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.2 mm
DIN 6799 E-Clip (Radial Installation)
Installed radially with push tool without requiring axial shaft access
Standard Material
Spring Steel (C67S / C75S / 50CrV4) hardened to 44–53 HRC, Stainless AISI 301/304