Spanner vs wrench - A man holding multiple wrenches from a repair tool kit.

Spanner vs wrench: Which hand tool should you use?

Comparing spanners and wrenches based on jaw shape, project versatility, and more.

Hire an assembly pro

Published on

Key Facts

  • A spanner is a fixed adjustment tool often used to turn nuts and bolts.
  • A wrench is a non-fixed adjustment tool typically with a mechanism to move the lower jaw to modify its size.


Hand tools are a must in every home’s toolbox, as they’re a great way to quickly fix something at home without spending a lot of money. But before you hop on to the hardware store, a little bit of hand tool knowledge goes a long way – and saves you money, too!

In this guide, we’ll tackle an age-old DIY debate: spanner vs wrench. We’ll discuss their differences and their costs to help you decide which is better for your home’s toolbox and DIY needs.

What is a spanner?

Spanner vs wrench - A man holding a spanner for a repair project.

A spanner is used for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts. It’s a fixed tool, so different types of spanners are suited for a specific purpose. Likewise, each type comes in varying sizes to fit the many types of nuts and bolts available.

What is a wrench?

Spanner vs wrench - A man holding an adjustable wrench.

A wrench, on the other hand, is also a tool for tightening or loosening but has the added mechanism of being able to adjust its jaw size. This allows it to have a broader range of fitment with nuts and bolts with just a single tool.

Wrench vs spanner: Which hand tool is more ideal to use?

Spanner vs wrench - A photo of a spanner and a wrench.

Ideally, a good toolbox would have a spanner and a wrench. Both allow you to work on an assembly project without improvising. However, not everyone has the budget or home space to have every wrench or spanner available. 

Instead, the following section will explain the difference between a spanner and a wrench so that anyone aspiring to do a home project or considering the costs of furniture assembly can make informed decisions about which tool to buy.


In terms of jaw shape

There are two main types of spanners: single-end (one jaw) and double-end (two jaws). Double-end spanners can also have a U-shaped jaw on one end and a ring on the other (called combination spanners). These three are all you need for basic tasks like assembling a kid’s bike. There are other, more specialised spanners, but those are for trickier handyman jobs.

Wrenches have similar jaw shapes to spanners, such as U-shaped or sometimes box-shaped. The critical difference is that wrench jaws are adjustable.


Recommendation: The wrench is better thanks to its adjustable jaw shape.


In terms of grip

Spanner vs wrench - A man tightening a bolt using an U-shaped wrench.

Spanners have pre-manufactured jaws for a specific bolt, nut, or pipe size. If it fits, you can be sure it grips. However, if the bolt is out of spec, the spanner may not be able to work either. 

Wrenches have an advantage because of their adjustable jaw or head. They can adjust their jaw to fit if the bolt or nut is damaged or weathered. Quality wrenches also won’t have their jaws loose easily or have a locking mechanism involved to keep the grip consistent. 

In another type of grip, wrench handles are often wider than spanners, allowing for better wrist ergonomics, as this study outlines.


Recommendation:  Wrenches win this round again for its wide range of compatibility.


In terms of size and weight

Spanners are ideal for home projects since they come in many sizes but stay light and easy to use. They might look thin, but they’re made of strong steel and won’t break easily.

Wrenches are adjustable for different sizes, but because of their moving parts, they’re bulkier and heavier. They’re also strong (often made of steel) but can be trickier to use in tight spaces.


Recommendation:  Spanners are lightweight, smaller, and come in different sizes.


In terms of assembly applications

Spanner vs wrench - A woman fixing her bicycle using a spanner.

The right tool for assembly and disassembly applications will depend on what you’ll use it for. If you’re setting up a new PC or building an exercise bike, a spanner would be better as you’ll likely only encounter one bolt size. 

If you’re renovating a whole porch or re-piping a kitchen, which requires a host of nuts and bolts, then you’re better off carrying one relatively larger wrench than lugging around a box of spanners. This is more evident if the project is more extensive and needs different types of wrenches.


Recommendation: It depends on the usage. Use a spanner for tight spaces and lighter or precise work, then wrenches for multi-purpose and heavy-duty use.


In terms of project versatility

Wrenches are great because they’re completely adjustable. This makes them more versatile than spanners, which come in specific sizes. While spanners have specialised uses, a single adjustable wrench can easily replace a whole box of spanners in a DIY setting.

Recommendation: The wrench is the most versatile due to its adjustable jaw.


In terms of cost

Spanner vs wrench - Wrenches and other different tools on display in a hardware store.

Single spanners are cheaper, costing as little as a few pence or quid, and boxed sets only cost a couple of pounds more. 

On the other hand, an adjustable wrench can be a tad more expensive than a spanner. Quality wrenches can cost about $50, with more premium ones costing hundreds. However, the price does justify itself, as a single wrench can do the work of an entire box of spanners.

Recommendation: A wrench has a better value proposition as you can do more for less.

Harness professional expertise for your assembly project with Airtasker

Figuring out the appropriate hand tool for an assembly or renovation project can be confusing. It becomes even trickier if you’re unsure how to use them.

Instead, why not try Airtasker? You can easily connect with experts who can tackle any home improvement job, big or small, so you won’t have to do all the heavy lifting yourself.

Skip the tutorials and tick this off your to-do list by posting a task today!

Spanner vs wrench


Spanner Wrench
Jaw Shape Enclosed ring
Boxed-shape
Grip Fixed grip
Adjustable
Size and Weight Lighter, smaller, and thinner
Bulkier and heavier
Assembly Applications Ideal for small or simple assembly tasks
Perfect for heavy-duty and complex assemblies
Project Versatility Limited to how many and what type of spanner you own
One wrench can do the work of multiple spanners
Cost Cheaper if you buy in singles
Costs more, but can also do more assemblies for less


FAQS on spanner vs wrench

Spanners are generally suitable for tighter spaces. More specialised ones are strap spanners, which use a flexible material that wraps around the object and tightens around it using friction.

A socket is the part of the tool that attaches to the head of a wrench or ratchet. While both are fixed in size, the spanner is the whole tool, while the socket is part of a different tool.

Of course! A wrench can be used as a spanner and vice versa, as they both use the same method of operation to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts.

Related guides

Find assembly experts, fast

Post a task