![A person using a brad nailer on a woodworking project. A person using a brad nailer on a woodworking project.](https://dam.thdstatic.com/content/production/Dj3vWPhdfUoU9qtKcMCeQw/0kXfnH0Ef50bG80VIuOadw/Original%20file/brad-nails-vs-finish-nails-hero_04-10-2024.jpg)
Seeing the differences between a brad nail vs. finishing nail vs. pin nail can be difficult. They are all often made from 15- to 23-gauge wire. (The higher the gauge, the thinner the nail.) All of them are finishing nails and basically the same except for use and size. Use this guide to learn more about brad nails and finish nails, including the right uses for each type.
Types of Finishing Nails
![A person using a finish nailer on a wall. A person using a finish nailer on a wall.](https://dam.thdstatic.com/content/production/lkDyY67adCX9wAlKNlV_zQ/VE4tBlF0zaKsnYrHh1C_Qw/Original%20file/brad-nails-vs-finish-nails-section-1_04-10-2024.jpg)
Brad, finish and pin nails are all used to add the finishing touches to woodworking projects. They come in collated finishing nail strips for nail guns, or you can get brads and finish nails individually. Each nail type comes in several finishes including coated, electro-galvanized, bright and galvanized. Choose the material that best suits your project, based on your exterior or interior durability needs.
What Are Brad Nails?
![A person using a brad nailer on a baseboard. A person using a brad nailer on a baseboard.](https://dam.thdstatic.com/content/production/R5BKi93Oxd3wlfTCybMOQg/2j70mZ_zeFX1jwuPSifJXQ/Original%20file/brad-nails-vs-finish-nails-section-2A.jpg)
Brad nails, or brads, are made of 18-gauge wire and are 1/2-inch to 2-inches long. Comparing brad nail vs. finishing nail sizes, brads are smaller in diameter and have a smaller head. Brad nails provide a clean finish in various woodworking projects. They work best on thinner cuts of lumber such as fiberboard and plywood. Brad nails also have more holding power than pin nails. The small diameter of brads means that your moulding and trim work will show less of a hole and might not need wood filler before painting. Also, they’re less prone to splitting thinner pieces of wood than 15- to 16-gauge finishing nails.
What Are Finish Nails?
![A person nailing a baseboard to the wall using a finish nailer. A person nailing a baseboard to the wall using a finish nailer.](https://dam.thdstatic.com/content/production/M428CzbzhSeTk4X4n-752w/br8xMV74nGwLFZ46_fa6qg/Original%20file/brad-nails-vs-finish-nails-section-3_04-10-2024.jpg)
Finish nails, also called finishing nails, are generally made of 15- or 16-gauge wire and are 1-inch to 3 1/2-inches long. The main brad nail vs. finishing nail difference is the thickness. Finishing nails are bigger in diameter than brad nails. They work best in thicker material but can leave holes that need to be filled. Their thickness creates a stronger hold, and they are often angled to work better in tight spaces. Some finish nails are available with coatings for weather-resistant or exterior use.
What Are Pin Nails?
![A person uses a cordless pin nailer on a baseboard project. A person uses a cordless pin nailer on a baseboard project.](https://dam.thdstatic.com/content/production/EDY8Jz282SPqFxxgW4QnlA/o-1p2L2GQVqX2sBSuw-Pbg/Original%20file/brad-nails-vs-finish-nails-section-4_04-10-2024.jpg)
Pin nails are 23-gauge headless pins that range from 1/2-inch to 2-inches in length. Thin and delicate fasteners, pin nails are used for precise work. Typically, they’re used to tack two pieces of wood together until the glue dries. Pin nails are virtually invisible and have a straight shank. They can hold without causing damage.
Brad Nails vs. Finish Nails vs. Pin Nails
![An image of three types of nails. First row: finish nails. Second row: brad nails. Third row: pin nails. An image of three types of nails. First row: finish nails. Second row: brad nails. Third row: pin nails.](https://dam.thdstatic.com/content/production/eanGiUBnBikK-y5zonFd2Q/yMbSTMLTF9ny9PiBGYbmhA/Original%20file/brad-nails-vs-finish-nails-section-5_04-10-2024.jpg)
Whether you choose a brad nail vs. finishing nail vs. pin nail depends on your project and the type of wood you’re using.
Brad nails:
- Good for thin or narrow pieces of wood
- Decorative trim, picture frame, paneling, shoe and quarter-round moulding
- Primarily interior use
- Slim profile reduces wood splitting
Finish nails:
- Works best for thicker wood and heftier projects such as stair treads, crown moulding, window and door casing
- Good for installing doors and windows, providing good holding strength while being easy to cover
- Creates small holes that are easily filled
- Used for interior and exterior trim
- Great for oak and other hard woods
Pin nails:
- Headless nails that are virtually invisible
- These are too thin to drive with a hammer, so you will need a pin nail gun
- Best for thin decorative moldings, delicate trim, intricate or tiny pieces or thin veneers
- Softer woods, upholstery or cabinetry
Brad Nailers vs. Finish Nailers
![An image of two nailers. The left is a pneumatic brad nailer, and the right is a pneumatic finish nailer. An image of two nailers. The left is a pneumatic brad nailer, and the right is a pneumatic finish nailer.](https://dam.thdstatic.com/content/production/btzXv1ROHZyVDNxDy9Xh3Q/7nTJGoWkrIxND5An8HumQg/Original%20file/brad-nails-vs-finish-nails-section-6_04-10-2024.jpg)
Brad nail vs. finishing nail size differences are critical to understand, but learning about the best tools to drive each type of nail into materials is just as important.
Both brad and finish nails can be driven into projects using just a hammer.
However, brad nails are hard to hold in place while hammering because they’re short. Also, brad nails bend easily because of their high gauge. A better tool for driving brad nails is a brad nail gun, also called a nailer. Brad nailers are designed to hold hundreds of brad nails, and they drive them into materials gently.
Finish nails are thick and sturdy, so using a hammer can work well. But if you have a project that needs lots of nails, or if you frequently use finish nails, a finish nail gun would be the best tool. Comparing brad nailers vs. finish nailers, finish nailers are bigger, heavier and more powerful. They are specially designed to hold the longer, thicker 16-, 15- and sometimes 14-gauge finishing nails. Extra force is needed to drive them into materials.
When should you use brad nailers vs. finish nailers? Brad nailers are best for light-duty projects or for delicate materials. Crafts like birdhouses, projects using softwoods or temporary fasteners while glue dries are examples of uses for brad nailers. Use finish nailers for projects with thick materials. These are usually heavy-duty, finishing-touches tasks like installing baseboards, building stairs or assembling cabinets.
Both brad nailers and finish nailers are available in pneumatic models or cordless, electric models.
Choosing whether a brad nail vs. finishing nail is best will depend on your project and how you’re going to use fasteners. Go with finish nails for thick wood and brads for thin wood. Pin nails are ideal for decorative or thin moldings. Finish nails are stronger than brads and offer more support, so select them for larger woodwork such as crown moulding. If you're looking for the right finishing nails, nail guns or other tools for your next woodworking project, The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.