A framing nail is named by its penny size and type, and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) Table R602.3(1) prints the length and diameter of each: a 16d common nail is 3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in. and an 8d common nail is 2-1/2 in. x 0.131 in. Box nails of the same penny size are shorter in diameter, not in length.
A framing nail is a smooth, deformed-shank or box nail used to join dimension lumber. The code's fastening schedule lists the number, type and spacing of nails for each framing connection, and this chart collects the sizes it prints.
Key facts
- A 16d common nail is 3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in. and a 16d box nail is 3-1/2 in. x 0.135 in., according to 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1).
- An 8d common nail is 2-1/2 in. x 0.131 in. and an 8d box nail is 2-1/2 in. x 0.113 in., according to 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1).
- A 10d common nail is 3 in. x 0.148 in. and a 10d box nail is 3 in. x 0.128 in., according to 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1).
- Table R602.3(1) item 13 fastens a top plate to a top plate with 16d common nails at 16 inches on center, face nailed.
- Footnote a to Table R602.3(1) says nails are smooth-common, box or deformed shanks except where otherwise stated.
- Footnote c to Table R602.3(1) says nails shall be spaced at not more than 6 inches on center at all supports where spans are 48 inches or greater.
What are the framing nail sizes in the IRC?
The 2021 IRC prints seven penny-size nail designations in the framing rows of Table R602.3(1), plus one nail given only by dimensions. The table below lists each exactly as written in the schedule.
Nail designations printed in 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1), fastening schedule. Length x diameter in inches. Penny size alone is not enough, so the code adds the dimensions.
| Nail designation | Length (in.) | Diameter (in.) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8d box | 2-1/2 | 0.113 | Box |
| 8d common | 2-1/2 | 0.131 | Common |
| 10d box | 3 | 0.128 | Box |
| 10d common | 3 | 0.148 | Common |
| 16d box | 3-1/2 | 0.135 | Box |
| 16d common | 3-1/2 | 0.162 | Common |
| 20d common | 4 | 0.192 | Common |
| "3 in. x 0.131 in. nails" | 3 | 0.131 | Named by size only |
Sheathing and underlayment rows name other nails, such as 6d common and deformed nails. Those are covered in the wall sheathing guide and the subfloor thickness guide.
What size is a 16d nail?
A 16d common nail is 3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in. and a 16d box nail is 3-1/2 in. x 0.135 in. in 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1). It is the nail for plates: item 13 fastens top plate to top plate with a 16d common nail at 16 inches on center, and item 15 fastens a bottom plate to a joist, rim joist, band joist or blocking with 16d common nails at 16 inches on center when the plate is not at a braced wall panel. Box nails take a tighter spacing: in item 15 the 16d box nail is spaced at 12 inches on center against 16 inches for the common nail.
What size is an 8d nail?
An 8d common nail is 2-1/2 in. x 0.131 in. and an 8d box nail is 2-1/2 in. x 0.113 in. in 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1). It is the shortest nail in the chart above.
The 8d nail shows up in fastening for blocking, ceiling joists, headers to studs and 1-inch boards. Because the shank is lighter, the schedule asks for more nails: a joist to sill connection takes 4-8d box nails but 3-8d common nails. Those toe nail rows are in the toe nailing guide.
What is the difference between common, box and sinker nails?
A common nail has a thicker shank than a box nail of the same penny size, and Table R602.3(1) does not list sinker nails by name. The table prints a diameter for each, so compare the dimensions, not the name.
- Common. The heaviest shank for its length: 0.131 in. for 8d, 0.148 in. for 10d and 0.162 in. for 16d.
- Box. The same length but a thinner shank: 0.113 in. for 8d, 0.128 in. for 10d and 0.135 in. for 16d. The schedule compensates with extra nails or a tighter spacing.
- Sinker. Not named in Table R602.3(1). If a box of sinker nails is on hand, check its length and diameter against the printed row. If either is smaller than the nail the schedule names, the nail does not match that row. Ask the building official before substituting.
Footnote a also sets minimum bending yield strengths by shank diameter (80 ksi for the 0.192 inch 20d common, 90 ksi above 0.142 inch up to 0.177 inch, 100 ksi at 0.142 inch or less). Nails of other materials, such as stainless steel, are designed by accepted engineering practice or approved under Section R104.11.
Which framing joints use which nails?
Table R602.3(1) pairs each framing joint with a nail count and spacing, and the face-nail and end-nail rows use the nails in the chart above. The table below picks the common framing joints that are not toe nailed.
2021 IRC Table R602.3(1), selected face-nail and end-nail rows. Nail options are alternatives. Read the printed table for every option and for braced wall panel conditions.
| Item | Connection | Nails as printed | Spacing or location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Collar tie to rafter | 4-10d box (3 in. x 0.128 in.); or 3-10d common (3 in. x 0.148 in.); or 4-3 in. x 0.131 in. nails | Face nail each rafter |
| 8 | Stud to stud (not at braced wall panels) | 16d common (3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in.); or 10d box (3 in. x 0.128 in.) or 3 in. x 0.131 in. nails | 24 in. o.c. face nail (16d common); 16 in. o.c. face nail (10d box or 3 in. x 0.131 in.) |
| 10 | Built-up header (2 in. to 2 in. with 1/2 in. spacer) | 16d common (3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in.); or 16d box (3-1/2 in. x 0.135 in.) | 16 in. o.c. each edge (common); 12 in. o.c. each edge (box), face nail |
| 13 | Top plate to top plate | 16d common (3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in.); or 10d box (3 in. x 0.128 in.) or 3 in. x 0.131 in. nails | 16 in. o.c. face nail (16d common); 12 in. o.c. face nail (10d box or 3 in. x 0.131 in.) |
| 14 | Double top plate splice | 8-16d common (3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in.); 12-16d box (3-1/2 in. x 0.135 in.); 12-10d box (3 in. x 0.128 in.); or 12-3 in. x 0.131 in. nails | Face nail on each side of end joint (minimum 24 in. lap splice length each side of end joint) |
| 15 | Bottom plate to joist, rim joist, band joist or blocking (not at braced wall panels) | 16d common (3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in.); or 16d box (3-1/2 in. x 0.135 in.) or 3 in. x 0.131 in. nails | 16 in. o.c. face nail (common); 12 in. o.c. face nail (box or 3 in. x 0.131 in.) |
| 25 | 2 in. subfloor to joist or girder | 3-16d box (3-1/2 in. x 0.135 in.); or 2-16d common (3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in.) | Blind and face nail |
| 27 | Band or rim joist to joist | 3-16d common (3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in.), and other options in the table | End nail |
| 29 | Ledger strip supporting joists or rafters | 4-16d box (3-1/2 in. x 0.135 in.); or 3-16d common (3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in.); or 4-10d box (3 in. x 0.128 in.); or 4-3 in. x 0.131 in. nails | At each joist or rafter, face nail |
Item 28, built-up girders and beams of 2-inch lumber layers, is the one row that uses the 20d common nail (4 in. x 0.192 in.). The spacing text for that row is unclear in the source extraction, so read it in the printed table. The wall framing basics guide shows where the stud and plate rows land in a wall, and the sill plate guide covers the floor to wall connection.
How are framing nails driven: face, end and toe nailing?
Face nailing drives the nail through the face of one member into another, end nailing drives it through the face into the end of a piece, and toe nailing drives it at a slant. Table R602.3(1) lists these as separate entries with separate counts.
Do not carry a nail count from one method to another. The toe nailing guide has the toe nail rows and the places where toenails are not allowed.
Do metal connectors use these nails?
Joist hangers, hurricane ties and similar connectors use the fasteners their manufacturer specifies, not the Table R602.3(1) schedule. The hurricane ties guide covers uplift connectors.
What does a framing plan show about nails?
A framing plan rarely draws individual nails; a general note such as "fasten per 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1) unless noted" covers the schedule.
Framing Plan draws joist layouts, beams and openings and exports PNG, PDF and DXF. It does not check fasteners, size members or verify code compliance: its sample profile uses demo span figures and metric sizes, and the editor works in millimeters. The adopted code edition and local amendments govern. For the member sizes and grades the nails join, see dimensional lumber sizes and lumber grades. The full code text is available from the International Code Council.
Summary
Framing nails are named by penny size and type, and 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1) prints each length and diameter: 8d common 2-1/2 in. x 0.131 in., 10d common 3 in. x 0.148 in., 16d common 3-1/2 in. x 0.162 in., with thinner box versions of each. Common nails have the thicker shank, and the schedule asks for extra box nails or tighter spacing to compensate. Sinker nails are not named in the table, so match any substitute to the printed dimensions. The adopted code edition governs.
Open the framing studio to lay out a preliminary joist and beam plan, then add a fastening note to the drawing for your designer or plan reviewer.