1
Hammer
“He used a hammer to fix the fence.”
Hand Tools
The workshop drawer — tools you hold in your hand to fix, cut, and build.
Hand Tools in English: hammers, screwdrivers, saws, and more — 21 words used in the workshop. Every word includes American and British pronunciation with audio, a photo, and an example sentence.
2
Screwdriver
“I need a screwdriver to tighten this screw.”
3
Wrench
“He used a wrench to loosen the bolt.”
Good to know: Called a 'spanner' in British English.
4
Pliers
“She used pliers to hold the wire.”
5
Saw
“The carpenter used a saw to cut the wood.”
6
Tape Measure
“Use a tape measure to check the length.”
7
Level
“The worker used a level to make sure the shelf was straight.”
Good to know: Also called a 'spirit level', especially in British English.
8
Chisel
“He used a chisel to shape the wood.”
9
File
“I used a file to smooth the rough edge.”
Good to know: Often confused with 'sandpaper': a file is a hardened steel tool for shaping metal or wood, while sandpaper uses abrasive grit for smoothing surfaces.
10
Sandpaper
“Use sandpaper to smooth the surface.”
11
Utility Knife
“He opened the box with a utility knife.”
Good to know: Often called a 'Stanley knife' or 'box cutter' informally.
12
Wire Cutters
“I used wire cutters to cut the cable.”
13
Allen Key
“You need an Allen key to tighten this bolt.”
Good to know: Also called a 'hex key' or 'hex wrench', especially in American English.
14
Socket Wrench
“He used a socket wrench to remove the nut.”
15
Bolt Cutter
“The worker used a bolt cutter to cut the metal.”
16
Crowbar
“They used a crowbar to open the stuck door.”
17
Axe
“He used an axe to chop the wood.”
18
Hand Plane
“The carpenter used a hand plane to smooth the wood.”
19
Vice
“The metal was held tightly in the vice.”
Good to know: Spelled 'vise' in American English.
20
Screw
“I need another screw for this shelf.”
Good to know: Often confused with 'nail', which is smooth and driven in with a hammer rather than turned with a screwdriver.
21
Nail
“He hammered a nail into the wall.”
Good to know: Different from a 'screw', which has spiral threads and is turned in, while a nail is smooth and hammered in.
That's the complete list of Hand Tools in English, from the hammer to the nail.