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

Fender Washers vs. Lock Washers

Comparing 2 standards across 17 specifications. 17 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Fender Washers
Lock Washers

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 →

Lock washers resist bolt loosening under vibration through spring preload and mechanical biting, standardized under DIN 127 (helical split spring washers), DIN 6798 (internal/external serrated tooth star washers), and DIN 2093 (Belleville conical spring discs).

View full Lock Washers spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

17 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Governing Standards
ASME B18.22.1 (Large Diameter Flat Washers) / SAE J485 DIN 127 Form B / DIN 6798 / DIN 2093 / ASME B18.21.1
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)
Helical Split Washer Mechanism
Spring tension + sharp trapezoidal edges that bite into mating surfaces under counter-rotation
M6 DIN 127 Split Lock Washer
ID: 6.1 mm | OD: 11.8 mm | Thickness (s): 1.6 mm | Uncompressed Free Height: ~3.2 mm
M8 DIN 127 Split Lock Washer
ID: 8.1 mm | OD: 14.8 mm | Thickness (s): 2.0 mm | Uncompressed Free Height: ~4.0 mm
M10 DIN 127 Split Lock Washer
ID: 10.2 mm | OD: 18.1 mm | Thickness (s): 2.2 mm | Uncompressed Free Height: ~4.4 mm
M12 DIN 127 Split Lock Washer
ID: 12.2 mm | OD: 21.1 mm | Thickness (s): 2.5 mm | Uncompressed Free Height: ~5.0 mm
Belleville Disc Spring (DIN 2093)
Conical shape maintains thousands of pounds of preload over high thermal expansion cycles
Serrated Tooth Star Washer (DIN 6798)
Multiple teeth bite through paint/anodizing to ensure electrical bonding and ground continuity