An 8 penny nail, also known as an 8d nail, is a type of common nail used in construction and woodworking projects. The “penny” terminology refers to the size and shape of the nail shank. An 8 penny nail gets its name because it is approximately 8 pennies long if you were to lay that many pennies next to each other. But what exactly does 8d mean and what are 8 penny nails used for?
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What does “8d” mean?
The “d” in 8d stands for “penny”. The penny measurement refers back to a time when nails were forged by hand by blacksmiths. Nails were sold by the penny, meaning 100 nails would cost 8 pence. The size of the nail correlated to the price. An 8d nail was approximately 8 pennies long if you laid that many pennies in a row. While nails are no longer sold by the penny, the sizing terminology has stuck around.
Here is a breakdown of the penny system for nail sizes:
| Penny Size | Approximate Length (inches) |
|---|---|
| 2d | 1 |
| 3d | 1 1/4 |
| 4d | 1 1/2 |
| 5d | 1 3/4 |
| 6d | 2 |
| 7d | 2 1/4 |
| 8d | 2 1/2 |
| 9d | 2 3/4 |
| 10d | 3 |
| 12d | 3 1/4 |
| 16d | 3 1/2 |
| 20d | 4 |
| 30d | 4 1/2 |
| 40d | 5 |
| 50d | 5 1/2 |
| 60d | 6 |
| 70d | 7 |
| 80d | 8 |
| 90d | 9 |
As you can see, an 8d common nail is approximately 2 1/2 inches long. The larger the “d” size, the longer the nail.
What is an 8d nail used for?
The most common uses for 8d nails include:
- Framing walls and partitions
- Building deck ledgers
- Installing subfloors
- Attaching drywall to studs
- Building fences, railings, and trellises
- Constructing wooden planter boxes
- General carpentry and woodworking
An 8 penny nail provides good holding power for many common jobs. The 2 1/2 inch length allows it to penetrate through 1-1/2 inches of wood stock, which covers the standard thickness of many boards and dimensional lumber. The shaft is thick enough to provide strength without splitting wood like larger nails can do. The head is also a good size for driving in with a hammer.
Framing with 8d nails
One of the most popular uses for 8d nails is framing interior walls and partitions. The nails are long enough to attach wall studs to the sole plate at the bottom and top plate at the top. 8ds are commonly used to frame:
- Interior partition walls
- Kitchen and bathroom walls
- Closet framing
- Attic knee walls
- Garage divider walls
For framing with spruce-pine-fir or other softwoods, an 8d nail provides plenty of holding strength while minimizing splitting. They are easy to drive in quickly with a hammer or framing nailer when assembling walls.
Deck ledger boards
8d nails are also used extensively in deck building for attaching the deck ledger board to the house. A properly fastened ledger is critical for connecting the deck to the home’s structure. The ledger board is usually pressure-treated 2×8 or 2×10 dimensional lumber. Attaching it to the rim joist with 8d nails spaced 4-6 inches apart provides excellent strength.
Subflooring
An 8 penny nail is commonly used for installing subfloor panels over floor joists. Subfloor panels are typically 4×8 sheets of 3/4-inch plywood or OSB. The long length of an 8d nail allows it to penetrate through the subfloor and deep into the joist for a sturdy connection. Nailing off subfloor with 8ds on a 12-inch grid is recommended.
Drywall
Drywall installation requires nails that are long enough to penetrate the drywall and deep into the studs or framing. For standard 1/2-inch drywall on wood stud walls, an 8d nail provides the right fastener size. 8ds are used to adhere drywall to:
- Wood wall studs
- Wood ceiling joists
- Furring strips
They should be spaced every 6-8 inches along framing when nailing off drywall sheets.
8 Penny Nail Specifications
Here are the technical specifications for an 8d common nail:
- Diameter: 0.131 inches
- Length: 2 1/2 inches
- Head Type: Flat
- Head Width: 0.375 inches
- Shaft: Smooth
- Material: Carbon steel
- Coating: None, galvanized, or stainless steel
- Typical Quantity per Pound: 63 nails
Nearly all 8d nails sold are carbon steel. They can be purchased bare/bright steel, galvanized, or stainless steel coated. The different coatings provide various levels of corrosion resistance.
Bare steel
Plain carbon steel 8d nails without any coating are the most affordable option. They can be used for general interior applications. But bare steel nails will eventually rust and corrode when exposed to moisture over time. They are best suited for temporary outdoor projects like bracing forms.
Galvanized
Galvanized 8d nails are corrosion-resistant thanks to their zinc coating. They can withstand some moisture and are suitable for most outdoor uses like decks, fencing, and landscaping projects. The galvanized coating allows nails to last for decades in ACQ pressure-treated lumber.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel 8d nails provide the best corrosion resistance. The nickel content in stainless steel allows nails to withstand almost any environment without rusting or staining. Stainless steel nails are ideal for applications like saltwater docks, retaining walls, and outdoor furniture where long-term durability is critical.
8 Penny Nail Options
In addition to the standard smooth shank 8d nail, there are a few other varieties to consider:
- Ring shank – Has rings along the shank that improve grip in wood, good for hardwoods.
- Spiral shank – Spiraled shank also improves holding power, used with dense materials.
- Duplex head – Secondary head allows nail to be pulled out and reused.
- Concrete nail – Has small spiral ridges under the head to grip concrete and masonry.
These specialty 8d nail types work for applications where extra holding strength is needed. But smooth 8d common nails are suitable for the majority of general carpentry and construction needs.
8d Nail Buying Guide
Here are some tips for buying 8d nails:
- Purchase from home improvement stores, hardware stores, or industrial suppliers in bulk sizes to save money per nail.
- Select bare steel for temporary interior projects, galvanized for normal exterior use, or stainless steel when corrosion resistance is needed.
- Consider buying collated nails for use in nail guns to speed up projects.
- Make sure the nails are stamped with the size – 8d or 8 penny.
- For heavy-duty jobs, choose ring shank or spiral shank 8d nails.
- Buy American made nails when possible for higher quality.
It’s also a smart idea to use gloves and eye protection when working with 8d nails. The pointed tips and hammering action pose puncture and eye risks.
8 Penny Nail Equivalents
If you need a nail approximately the same size as an 8d nail, here are some equivalent options:
- #8 wood screw – Provides similar length and holding strength.
- 0.131″ x 2.5″ nail – Matches the shank diameter and length.
- 63 gauge (0.0915″ diameter) x 2.5″ nail – Provides a thinner nail option.
- 8 gauge (0.164″ diameter) x 2.5″ nail – Steps up to a thicker nail size.
Using the exact equivalent size provides the most direct substitution. But slight variations in diameter and length will work fine for most home DIY, carpentry, and construction applications.
Conclusion
An 8 penny or 8d nail is one of the most versatile fasteners for everyday home building, construction, and woodworking projects. It provides ample strength without risking wood splits like larger nails. With good corrosion resistance when galvanized or stainless steel, 8d nails can tackle both interior and exterior applications. Understanding the origins and sizing of the 8d designation allows you to choose these useful nails for your next carpentry project.