Micro Fasteners for Laptops, Phones, and Electronics — Complete Size Guide
21 Mar 2026
Dropped a laptop screw into the carpet and can't find it? Need to open a phone for repair? Micro fasteners are the tiny screws that hold our electronics together — and losing one or using the wrong size can mean a rattling laptop or a screen that won't sit flush. Here's everything you need to know.
What Are Micro Fasteners?
Micro fasteners are screws smaller than M3 — typically M1 to M2.5 in metric sizing. They're used in electronics because they're small enough to fit in thin enclosures while still providing adequate clamping force without cracking plastic housings.
Common Micro Screw Sizes
| Size | Thread Dia | Common Lengths | Used In |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | 1.0mm | 2mm, 3mm | Watches, hearing aids, micro sensors |
| M1.2 | 1.2mm | 2mm, 3mm, 4mm | Eyeglasses, small electronics |
| M1.4 | 1.4mm | 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm | Phones, tablets, small gadgets |
| M1.6 | 1.6mm | 3mm, 4mm, 5mm | Phones, SSD mounting, small PCBs |
| M2 | 2.0mm | 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm | Laptops (most common), hard drives, SSDs |
| M2.5 | 2.5mm | 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm | Laptop chassis, HDD mounting, 2.5" drives |
Laptop Screw Sizes by Component
| Component | Most Common Size | Head Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom cover | M2×5 or M2.5×5 | Phillips #0 | Usually 6-10 screws, some captive |
| SSD / M.2 drive | M2×3 | Phillips #0 | Single screw holds the M.2 SSD down |
| 2.5" HDD/SSD | M3×3 (side) or M2.5×4 | Phillips #0 | 4 screws on sides of caddy |
| RAM door | M2.5×4 | Phillips #0 | Often captive (doesn't come out fully) |
| Keyboard | M2×2 or M2×3 | Phillips #0 | Multiple small screws under the keyboard |
| Screen hinges | M2.5×6 or M2.5×8 | Phillips #1 | Larger because of mechanical stress |
| Screen bezel | M2×3 | Phillips #0 | Hidden under rubber pads |
Screw Head Types in Electronics
| Head Type | Tool Needed | Used By |
|---|---|---|
| Phillips (#0, #00) | Phillips screwdriver | Most laptops, desktops, general electronics |
| Torx (T3, T4, T5, T6) | Torx screwdriver | Dell, HP, some Lenovo, Xbox, automotive electronics |
| Pentalobe (P2, P5) | Pentalobe screwdriver | Apple iPhones, MacBooks (security screw) |
| Tri-wing (Y0, Y000) | Tri-wing screwdriver | Nintendo Switch, some smartphones |
| Hex (H1.5, H2) | Hex key | Some enterprise equipment, servers |
Material Matters
- Black oxide steel: Standard, cheapest. Fine for most electronics repair. Slightly magnetic (helps with pickup tools).
- Stainless steel (SS304): Non-magnetic, corrosion-resistant. Use for outdoor electronics, marine equipment, or when you don't want a magnetic screw near sensitive components.
- Zinc plated: Better corrosion resistance than plain steel, still magnetic.
Essential Kit for Electronics Repair
- Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #00, #0, #1 + Torx T3-T10)
- Magnetic parts tray — keeps tiny screws from rolling away
- Anti-static wrist strap
- Spudger/pry tool — for disconnecting ribbon cables
- Good lighting and magnification
Common Mistakes
- Using an M2.5 screw in an M2 hole. It'll seem to thread in (forced) but will strip the plastic threads.
- Using too long a screw. A 6mm screw in a 3mm deep hole will push through and damage the component underneath.
- Overtightening. Plastic threads strip extremely easily. Hand-tight plus a tiny turn is enough.
- Mixing up screws during disassembly. Use a piece of paper, draw the layout, and tape each screw next to where it came from.
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