Wood screws vs MDF screws vs gypsum screws: types, sizes and counts
Wood screws, MDF screws and gypsum (drywall) screws look alike but are made for different materials: wood screws for solid timber, MDF screws for MDF and chipboard, and gypsum screws for fixing plasterboard to studs. For roofing sheets on steel purlins you need a fourth type, the self-drilling hex-head roofing screw. In Nairobi in October 2026, AHIHQ Traders sells all four wholesale by the carton, starting at KSh 4,875 for a carton of 24 boxes of gypsum screws.
Types of screws at a glance
| Screw | Made for | Sizes we stock | Count | Carton price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood screws | Solid timber, battens, frames, hinges | 3/4" x 4 to 4" x 12 | 120 pcs per packet | KSh 7,250 (1" x 6, carton of 100 packets) |
| Knicker MDF screws | MDF, chipboard, cabinets, shelving | 1/2" x 3.5mm to 4" x 6mm | 200 pcs per packet (100 for 4") | KSh 5,220 (2" x 4mm, carton of 24 packets) |
| Knicker gypsum (drywall) screws | Gypsum board to timber or metal studs | 3.5 x 18mm to 4.2 x 50mm | 200 pcs per box (also 1,000) | KSh 4,875 (3.5 x 50mm or 4.2 x 50mm, carton of 24 boxes) |
| Knicker self-drilling roofing screws | Roofing sheets and flashings to steel | 5.5 x 20mm to 5.5 x 75mm | 80 to 200 pcs per box | KSh 7,830 (5.5 x 63mm, carton of 20 boxes) |
How do you tell wood, MDF and gypsum screws apart?
Wood screws
Our wood screws are sized in inches by length and a gauge number, for example 1-1/2" x 8. The first figure is the length; the second is the gauge, which describes the thickness of the screw. The higher the gauge, the thicker and stronger the screw. A wood screw has a sharp point and a coarse thread that grips timber fibres, and is the general choice for joinery, door frames, hinges and battens.
MDF screws
Knicker MDF screws are sized by length in inches and diameter in millimetres, for example 1-1/4" x 4mm. They are made for man-made boards such as MDF and chipboard, which crumble or split more easily than solid wood. Even with the right screw, drill a small pilot hole near the edges of a board and do not over-tighten, or the thread will strip the board.
Gypsum (drywall) screws
Knicker gypsum screws are sized by diameter and length in millimetres, for example 3.5 x 25mm. Drywall screws usually have a bugle-shaped head that sits just below the paper face of the board without tearing through it. They are made to hold gypsum board to studs and ceiling channels, not to hold timber joints together. Finish the joints with gypsum fibre tape before you skim.
Self-drilling roofing screws
Knicker self-drilling roofing screws have a hex head and a drill point, so they drill and fasten in one step into steel purlins. They are driven with a nut setter in a drill, such as the Knicker magnetic nut setter socket 8 x 65mm. Sizes are 5.5mm diameter in lengths from 20mm to 75mm.
Which screw for which material?
| You are fixing | Use |
|---|---|
| Solid timber to timber (frames, battens, furniture) | Wood screws |
| MDF, chipboard or blockboard (kitchen units, wardrobes, shelves) | MDF screws |
| Gypsum board to timber studs or metal channels | Gypsum screws |
| Iron or aluminium roofing sheets to steel purlins | Self-drilling roofing screws |
| Light and medium loads into a concrete, stone or block wall | Wall plugs plus a wood screw |
How long should the screw be?
A common rule of thumb is that at least half of the screw's length should go into the piece underneath, the one you are fixing to. So to fix an 18mm board to a frame, a screw of around 1-1/2" (about 38mm) leaves plenty to grip. For gypsum board, the screw should pass through the board and well into the stud or channel.
Sizes and packet counts
Wood screws (120 pcs per packet)
| Size | Pcs per packet | Carton | Carton price | Works out at about (per packet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4" x 4 | 120 | Carton of 200 packets | KSh 9,860 | KSh 49 |
| 3/4" x 5 | 120 | Carton of 200 packets | KSh 10,730 | KSh 54 |
| 3/4" x 6 | 120 | Carton of 200 packets | KSh 11,600 | KSh 58 |
| 3/4" x 7 | 120 | Carton of 200 packets | KSh 13,630 | KSh 68 |
| 1" x 6 | 120 | Carton of 100 packets | KSh 7,250 | KSh 73 |
| 1" x 7 | 120 | Carton of 100 packets | KSh 8,700 | KSh 87 |
| 1" x 8 | 120 | Carton of 100 packets | KSh 10,585 | KSh 106 |
| 1-1/4" x 8 | 120 | Carton of 100 packets | KSh 12,325 | KSh 123 |
| 1-1/4" x 10 | 120 | Carton of 50 packets | KSh 10,515 | KSh 210 |
| 1-1/2" x 8 | 120 | Carton of 100 packets | KSh 13,775 | KSh 138 |
| 1-1/2" x 10 | 120 | Carton of 50 packets | KSh 10,875 | KSh 218 |
| 2" x 8 | 120 | Carton of 50 packets | KSh 10,875 | KSh 218 |
| 2" x 10 | 120 | Carton of 50 packets | KSh 13,050 | KSh 261 |
| 2-1/2" x 8 | 120 | Carton of 50 packets | KSh 11,965 | KSh 239 |
| 3" x 10 | 120 | Carton of 25 packets | KSh 10,150 | KSh 406 |
| 3" x 12 | 120 | Carton of 25 packets | KSh 12,690 | KSh 508 |
| 4" x 12 | 120 | Carton of 25 packets | KSh 14,500 | KSh 580 |
MDF screws
| Size | Pcs per packet | Carton | Carton price | Works out at about (per packet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4" x 4mm | 200 | Carton of 80 packets | KSh 9,860 | KSh 123 |
| 1" x 4mm | 200 | Carton of 48 packets | KSh 6,960 | KSh 145 |
| 1-1/4" x 4mm | 200 | Carton of 48 packets | KSh 7,660 | KSh 160 |
| 1-1/2" x 4mm | 200 | Carton of 36 packets | KSh 7,310 | KSh 203 |
| 2" x 4mm | 200 | Carton of 24 packets | KSh 5,220 | KSh 218 |
| 2.5" x 5mm | 200 | Carton of 20 packets | KSh 8,410 | KSh 421 |
| 3" x 5mm | 200 | Carton of 20 packets | KSh 10,730 | KSh 537 |
| 1/2" x 3.5mm | 200 | Carton of 150 packets | KSh 15,225 | KSh 102 |
| 4" x 6mm (100 pcs/packet) | 100 | Carton of 20 packets | KSh 11,890 | KSh 595 |
Gypsum (drywall) screws
| Size | Pcs per box | Carton | Carton price | Works out at about (per box) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 x 18mm 200 pcs/box | 200 | Carton of 80 boxes | KSh 9,860 | KSh 123 |
| 3.5 x 25mm 200 pcs/box | 200 | Carton of 48 boxes | KSh 6,265 | KSh 131 |
| 3.5 x 30mm 200 pcs/box | 200 | Carton of 48 boxes | KSh 7,660 | KSh 160 |
| 3.5 x 40mm 200 pcs/box | 200 | Carton of 36 boxes | KSh 6,265 | KSh 174 |
| 3.5 x 50mm 200 pcs/box | 200 | Carton of 24 boxes | KSh 4,875 | KSh 203 |
| 4.2 x 50mm 200 pcs/box | 200 | Carton of 24 boxes | KSh 4,875 | KSh 203 |
| 3.5 x 25mm 1000 pcs/box | 1,000 | Carton of 20 boxes | KSh 10,150 | KSh 508 |
Which one should you buy?
- Carpentry, door frames and hinges in solid wood: wood screws, from 3/4" x 4 for light work up to 4" x 12 for heavy timber.
- Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and flat-pack style work in MDF or chipboard: MDF screws, most often in 1-1/4" to 2" lengths.
- Gypsum ceilings and partitions: gypsum screws; the 3.5 x 25mm also comes in a box of 1,000 for bigger jobs.
- Iron sheet roofs on steel: self-drilling roofing screws and a nut setter for the drill.
- Hanging anything on a masonry wall: Knicker wall plugs with a matching wood screw.
Where to buy
All four screw types are sold by 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
- Wall plugs and raw bolts: how to fix into a concrete wall
- Roofing screws price in Kenya (2026): every size and box count
- Nails sizes guide: steel nails, tacks, chair nails and pop rivets
Common questions
Can I use gypsum screws for wood?
Not for joints or furniture. Gypsum screws are made to hold board to a stud and are not designed for the side loads of timber joints. Use wood screws for timber.
What does 1-1/2" x 8 mean on a wood screw?
The screw is 1-1/2 inches long and gauge 8. A higher gauge number means a thicker screw.
Can I buy one packet of screws?
No. This range is sold wholesale by the carton, for example a carton of 100 packets of 1" x 6 wood screws for KSh 7,250. If you need only a few, share a carton with others or buy for stock.