24 October 2026 · AHIHQ Traders Team

Nails sizes guide: steel nails, tacks, chair nails and pop rivets

Nail sizes in Kenya are given by length in inches, and the OK steel nails we sell run from 1" to 4". As a rule of thumb, choose a nail about three times as long as the thickness of the piece you are nailing through: 1" and 1.5" for thin boards and trims, 2" to 3" for battens and general framing, and 4" for heavy roof and formwork timber. In Nairobi in October 2026, AHIHQ Traders sells OK steel nails in 650g packets at KSh 4,715 for a carton of 25 packets in any size, alongside shoe tacks, chair nails and blind rivets.

Nails and rivets at a glance

Product Use it for Sizes Sold as Carton price
OK steel nails, 650g packets Timber framing, roofing timber, formwork, boards 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3", 4" Carton of 25 packets KSh 4,715 (any size)
Three Stars shoe tacks Shoe repair, leather, fabric and thin materials 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1" Carton of 56 packets KSh 5,685 (any size)
Knicker chair nails Upholstery and decorative trim on furniture One size Carton of 50 boxes of 700 KSh 7,250
Blind rivets (pop rivets) Joining sheet metal from one side 1/8" and 3/16" diameters Carton of 20 boxes KSh 6,960 to KSh 13,920
Knicker rivet gun Setting blind rivets Handle, long handle, folding Cartons of 12 to 40 KSh 17,980 to KSh 24,360

Which nail size for which job?

All six sizes of OK steel nails are the same price, KSh 4,715 for a carton of 25 packets of 650g, which works out at about KSh 189 a packet. Because the packets are sold by weight, a packet of short nails holds many more nails than a packet of long ones.

Nail length Typical jobs
1" Hardboard, thin plywood, beading and light trims
1.5" Plywood and thin boards to battens, light boxes and crates
2" Battens, fascia boards, ceiling brandering and general carpentry
2.5" Timber framing and joining thicker boards
3" Roof timbers, framing and formwork
4" Heavy roof timbers, rafters to wall plates and heavy formwork

How do you nail without splitting the wood?

Keep nails back from the ends and edges of boards, stagger them rather than nailing along one grain line, and on hard or dry timber drill a small pilot hole first. A claw hammer drives and pulls nails; the metal-handle claw hammer comes with 25mm, 27mm and 29mm heads.

Shoe tacks

Three Stars shoe tacks are short, sharp tacks with a flat head, used by shoe repairers and for fixing leather, fabric and other thin materials to wood. They come in 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" and 1" lengths, all at KSh 5,685 for a carton of 56 packets, which works out at about KSh 102 a packet. The Knicker magnetic shoe tack hammer holds a tack on its face so you can start it with one hand; it is KSh 18,270 for a carton of 60.

Chair nails

Knicker chair nails are upholstery nails, used to fix fabric and leather to chair and sofa frames and to finish the edge as a decorative trim. They are packed 700 to a box, KSh 7,250 for a carton of 50 boxes, which works out at about KSh 145 a box. Tap them in with a light hammer so the heads are not marked.

Blind (pop) rivets and the rivet gun

A blind rivet joins two pieces of sheet metal when you can reach only one side, as on gutters, flashings, ducting, signs and aluminium work. Drill a hole just large enough for the rivet to pass through, push the rivet through both pieces, and squeeze the rivet gun until the stem snaps off. The first figure is the diameter (1/8" or 3/16") and the second is the length; choose a length that suits the total thickness of the pieces you are joining.

Rivet size Carton Carton price Per box
3/16" x 1/2" (500 pcs) Carton of 20 boxes KSh 11,600 about KSh 580 a box
3/16" x 3/4" (500 pcs) Carton of 20 boxes KSh 13,920 about KSh 696 a box
3/16" x 1" (400 pcs) Carton of 20 boxes KSh 13,050 about KSh 653 a box
1/8" x 1/2" (500 pcs) Carton of 20 boxes KSh 6,960 about KSh 348 a box
1/8" x 3/4" (500 pcs) Carton of 20 boxes KSh 8,120 about KSh 406 a box

The 3/16" x 1" comes 400 to a box; the other sizes come 500 to a box. The Knicker rivet gun comes in three types: handle type (KSh 17,980 for a carton of 40, about KSh 450 each), long handle (KSh 18,850 for a carton of 20) and folding type (KSh 24,360 for a carton of 12, about KSh 2,030 each). The long-handle type gives more leverage for the larger 3/16" rivets.

Which one should you buy?

Where to buy

Nails, tacks, chair nails and rivets are all available from AHIHQ Traders in Nairobi. You can see the full range in our fasteners and fixings collection, part of the wider tools and hardware range. These lines are sold wholesale only, by the carton or bag, never as single pieces. If you need only one or two packets, the honest advice is to share a carton with other fundis or a neighbouring site, or buy for stock. Collect from our trade counter at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road, Nairobi (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:30), or have it delivered anywhere in Kenya for a flat KSh 350, free on orders over KSh 15,000. We take M-Pesa or card. Contractors and shops can request a trade quote on our trade page, and you can send a list or ask a question on WhatsApp (+254 724 505 919).

Related guides

Common questions

What size nail should I use?

As a rule of thumb, a nail about three times as long as the thickness of the piece you are nailing through. For 1" (25mm) boards, that means a nail of around 3".

How many nails are in a 650g packet?

Steel nails are sold by weight, not by count, so the number changes with the size: a 650g packet of 1" nails holds many more nails than a packet of 4".

What is the difference between a nail and a rivet?

A nail is driven into wood. A blind rivet is set through a drilled hole with a rivet gun and clamps sheet metal together, working from one side.

Can I buy one packet of nails?

No. Steel nails are sold wholesale by the carton of 25 packets, KSh 4,715 in any size. If you need only one or two packets, share a carton or buy for stock.

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