Hex / Allen vs. Phillips
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
The Hex drive (Allen socket / Internal Hexagon, standardized under ISO 4026 and DIN 912) is a 6-sided symmetrical polygonal drive recess developed in the early 1900s by William G. Allen. Widely used in socket head cap screws, bicycle components, and flat-pack furniture, it provides high clamping torque with compact cylindrical head profiles.
The Phillips drive (Type I cross recess) is a self-centering cruciform drive system invented by John P. Thompson and commercialized by Henry F. Phillips in the 1930s (ANSI Type I / ISO 4757). Engineered with curved flutes and intentional cam-out torque limiting, it revolutionized high-speed automotive and aircraft assembly.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Standard Specifications
|
ISO 4762 / DIN 912 (Socket head cap screws) / ASME B18.3 | ISO 4757 (Cross recesses) / ANSI Type I / DIN 7962 |
|
Drive Geometry
|
Symmetrical 6-sided internal hexagon socket | Cruciform 4-wing cross with rounded corners and 57° tapered flanks |
|
Metric Standard Sizes
|
1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0, 14.0, 17.0 mm | — |
|
Imperial Standard Sizes
|
0.050", 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" | — |
|
Cam-Out Tendency
|
Low (Requires axial insertion depth; strips if bit is worn or undersized) | — |
|
Primary Applications
|
Machine tools, bicycle components (4/5/6mm), 3D printers (2.5/3mm), flat-pack furniture | — |
|
Self-Centering Capability
|
— | Yes (Driver tip automatically centers into recess) |
|
Intentional Cam-Out
|
— | Yes (Designed to cam-out when tightened to prevent over-torquing and thread stripping) |
|
Common Sizing Tiers
|
— | PH000, PH00, PH0, PH1, PH2 (most common), PH3, PH4 |
|
Common Screw Pairings
|
— | Drywall screws, PC cases (#6-32), general wood and machine screws |