Rivet size refers to the diameter of the shank, or body, of a rivet. Rivets are fasteners that are used to join two or more pieces of material together by inserting a smooth, cylindrical shaft through holes in the materials and then deforming the end of the shaft to create a secure, permanent connection. The size of the rivet is important because it must be appropriate for the thickness and type of material being joined, as well as the load that the joint will need to withstand.
Rivet sizes are typically measured in fractions of an inch, with the shank diameter given in inches. For example, a 3/16-inch rivet has a shank diameter of approximately 0.1875 inches. Rivet sizes can range from very small, such as 1/8 inch, to very large, such as 1 inch or more. The size of the rivet also determines the size of the hole that needs to be drilled in the material being joined, as the shank of the rivet must fit through the hole.
In addition to the size of the rivet, other important factors to consider when selecting a rivet include the type of material being joined, the load that the joint will need to withstand, and the type of application or environment in which the rivet will be used.
The chart below is a rough guide to help you determine which rivet or eyelet length might be best suitable for your project.
Rivet and Eyelet Lengths Chart
| Rivet Length | Total Material Thickness | Best Rivet Assortment | |||
| Rivet Length | inches | millimeters | inches | millimeters | |
| 1/16" | 0.063" | 1.59mm | .020 - .040" | 0.5 - 1.0mm | Short |
| 3/32" | 0.094" | 2.38mm | .040 - .066" | 1.0 - 1.7mm | Short |
| 1/8 | 0.125" | 3.18mm | .066 - .097" | 1.7 - 2.5mm | Short |
| 5/32" | 0.156" | 3.97mm | .097 - .128" | 2.5 - 3.3mm | Short |
| 3/16" | 0.188" | 4.76mm | .129 - .160" | 3.3 - 4.1mm | Medium |
| 7/32" | 0.219" | 5.56mm | .160 - .191" | 4.1 - 4.9mm | Medium |
| 1/4" | 0.250" | 6.35mm | .191 - .222” | 4.9 - 5.6mm | Medium |
| 9/32" | 0.281" | 7.14mm | .222 - .253" | 5.6 - 6.4mm | Medium |
| 5/16" | 0.313" | 7.94mm | .254 - .285" | 6.5 - 7.2mm | Medium |
| 11/32" | 0.344" | 8.73mm | .285 - .316" | 7.2 - 8.0mm | Long |
| 3/8" | 0.375" | 9.53mm | .316 - .347" | 8.0 - 8.8mm | Long |
| 13/32" | 0.406" | 10.32mm | .347 - .378" | 8.8 - 9.6mm | Long |
| 7/16" | 0.438" | 11.11mm | .379 - .410" | 9.6 - 10.4mm | Long |
| 15/32" | 0.469" | 11.91mm | .410 - .441" | 10.4 - 11.2mm | Long |
Common Sheet Gauges and Height When Stacked
| Gauge | 1 piece | 2 pieces | 3 pieces | 4 pieces |
| 26g sheet | .016" (.404mm) | .032" | .048" | .064" |
| 24g sheet | .020" (.508mm) | .040" | .060" | .080" |
| 22g sheet | .025" (.635mm) | .050" | .075" | .10" |
| 20g sheet | .032" (.813mm) | .064" | .096" | .13" |