Spacers and Standoffs are two common types of positioning electronic hardware. Look inside an assembled circuit board, and you will be greeted by a bevy of Standoffs and Spacers, because in the world of Electronic Hardware, they are the standard for connecting and mounting circuit boards, panels, doors, and gears providing sturdy support and alignment.

Both are commonly used to properly position parts within an assembly, to reduce component contact, to elevate stacked sections, to ensure enough room for heat to dissipate, and to separate or create space between two objects. These guys are workhorses!

Threaded Standoffs and Spacers

Standoffs are threaded hollow Hex or Round fasteners that separate and position components while also fastening them together. The standoff hardware screws onto bolts or screws by hand. Also called standoff mounts, these fasteners are commonly used to raise one assembly above the other, such as elevating a circuit board above a surface. They can also be used to extend thread options or as an adapter to join male-threaded parts to female-threaded parts (and vice versa).

Types:

1) Through Internal Threaded Standoffs.

These are Female-Female type also known as hex spacers with internal thread or F-F Spacers.

2) Male-Female (E.T.) Standoffs

These are Male-Female type also known as ET spacers or M-F Spacers.

Selection Guide

When designing and choosing a Standoff for your next application, it is easiest to think of standoffs as 3 separate sections; the two threaded ends and the main body. The below guide will help you think through those 3 sections and provide the common information needed for finding the right standoff.

Step 1 – Thread Type

Standoffs are divided into a few different styles and named after the type of threads on each end.

Female-Female Standoffs

These are also referred to as a Threaded Spacer and come with female threads on both ends of the part. This allows for a screw or male standoff to be installed on either side.

In shorter lengths, standoffs will be threaded through the entire part, where longer standoffs are threaded to a minimum thread depth.

Male-Female Standoffs

These have one end with a male thread and the other end has a female thread.

These are excellent for use when stacking circuit boards as each male thread can be installed into the mating part’s female thread.

This quickly reduces the number of fasteners needed in the assembly while also reducing installation time.

Male-Male Standoffs

This has male threads on both ends and are used to connect 2 female threaded components.

These are also commonly utilized as thread adapters to convert a female thread to a male thread.

Male ends can be the same or a different thread for a wider range of applications.

Step 2 – Thread Size

Standoffs are readily available in all common thread sizes, in both inch and metric series. While most commonly found with each end having the same size thread, different thread sizes can be manufactured on specific order.

Step 3 – Body Length

The third part of the standoff once the thread sizes have been determined is the body.

As standoffs are commonly used to separate 2 components, the body of the standoff is what will separate the components.

As each application will require a unique body length, all standoffs come in a wide range of length options.

Parts are machined to a tolerance for a secure and consistent fit.

Custom lengths and tolerances can be manufactured on special order.

Through Internal Threaded Hex Standoff F-F

A hexagonal, mechanical device which has a partial or complete internal thread, used to hold two components at a given distance from each other.

Advantages – Standoffs are usually chosen over spacers when longer sizes are required. Hex standoffs can be installed with a nut-setter or other wrenching device.

Suitable for using with screws at both ends providing a clean finish.

Materials

Brass Spacers

Brass is used in making high-quality standoffs. It is conductive, resists corrosion, and is non-magnetic. It is costlier and heavier than Nylon and is usually plated nickel

Female-Female Hex Spacer BR-NI D2C11 – Download Datasheet

These have a bright Nickel plated finish.

Stainless Steel Spacers

Stainless has the advantages of brass but has superior strength & resistance to corrosion and chemical fumes. Made from Austenitic Stainless Steel.

These spacers afford high strength and reliability and are fully RoHS compliant.
Ideal for a long lasting assembly.

AISI 303 is the default material.

Female-Female Hex Spacer SS-303 B3C11 – Download Datasheet

Stainless Steel AISI-316 now available:

Female-Female Hex Spacer SS-316 A4 B6C11 – Download Datasheet

Also Available in Unified Series:

Female-Female UNC Hex Spacer SS-303 B3uC11 – Download Datasheet

Female-Female UNC Hex Spacer SS-316 A4 B6uC11 – Download Datasheet

Nylon Spacers

Nylon is a good insulator and has a surface smoothness which will not fray the insulation of wires that rub against it. Nylon Spacers may have metal inserts to provide stronger threads. These will however be separated by a non conductive material to ensure insulation

Insulating standoffs keep two parts from touching each other, thereby preventing electrical shorts. These are made from Nylon.

Advantages:

Insulative,
Non-Magnetic,
Thermal insulation,
Corrosion resistance

They are available in two options:

1. With threads tapped into the Nylon

Female-Female Hex Spacer Nylon K4C11 – Download Datasheet

Being extremely lightweight, these are very useful in the manufacture of Drones.

2. With metal inserts molded into the Nylon

Female-Female Hex Spacer Nylon with Metal Insert K2C11 – Download Datasheet

This option provides stronger threads and longer life and reusability.

Steel Spacers

Steel is used in applications requiring greater strength, but it is heavier than aluminum and does not resist corrosion like aluminum, Stainless Steel or brass.

Aluminium Spacers

Female-Female Hex Spacer Aluminium E5C11 – Download Datasheet

Other options on special order.

E.T. Spacers [Male-Female Spacers]

These are Internal-External Threaded Spacers. Standoffs can be round, hexagonal or square in shape. These are Male-Female type.

Male-female standoffs are used for printed circuit board mounting and other applications requiring close controls of dimensions.

Standoffs are available in a variety of materials including aluminium, brass, plastic, steel and stainless steel.

Our range of Stainless Steel Male-Female Standoffs are made from AISI 303 and on request AISI-316 can be provided.

Available in the following Material combinations:

Brass Nickel Plated Standoffs

Brass is used in making high-quality standoffs.

It is conductive, resists corrosion, and is non-magnetic.

It is costlier and heavier than Nylon.

Available in a wide range starting from M2.

These have a bright Nickel plated finish.

Male-Female Hex Standoff BR-NI D2C12 – Download Datasheet

Stainless Steel Standoffs

AISI 303 is the default material.

Available from M2 onwards.

Male-Female Hex Standoff SS-303 B3C12 – Download Datasheet

Stainless Steel AISI-316 now available:

Male-Female Hex Standoff SS-316 A4 B6C12 – Download Datasheet

Also Available in Unified Series:

Male-Female UNC Hex Standoff SS-303 B3uC12 – Download Datasheet

Male-Female UNC Hex Standoff SS-316 A4 B6uC12 – Download Datasheet

Nylon Standoffs

This facilitates to reduce component weight and also electrical insulation.

Available in various thicknesses.

The default is Nylon with a Metal Insert

Male-Female Hex Standoff Nylon with Metal Insert K2C12 – Download Datasheet

A limited range is available in full Nylon

Male-Female Hex Standoff Nylon K4C12 – Download Datasheet

This is useful for high insulation and extremely low weight.

Steel Standoffs

Steel is used in applications requiring greater strength, but it is heavier than aluminum and does not resist corrosion like aluminum, Stainless Steel or brass.

Male-Female Hex Standoff MS-ZN A2C12 – Download Datasheet

Aluminium Standoffs

Male-Female Hex Standoff Aluminium E5C12 – Download Datasheet

Male Male Spacers

These are External-External Threaded Spacers. Standoffs can be round, hexagonal or square in shape. These are Male-Male type.

Male-male standoffs are used for printed circuit board mounting and other applications requiring close controls of dimensions.

Standoffs are available in a variety of materials including aluminium, brass, plastic, steel and stainless steel.

Our range of Male-Male Standoffs are available in Nylon. Other materials available on request.

Nylon

This facilitates to reduce component weight and also electrical insulation.

The default is Nylon with a Metal Insert

Male-Male Hex Standoff Nylon with Metal Insert K2C15 – Download Datasheet

Snap Fit Spacers

Snap Fit Spacers are commonly used in mechanical and electronic assemblies to provide spacing between parts like PCBs, panels, or components. They snap into place without the need for screws or tools or adhesives.

Advantages of Snap Fit Spacers –

Tool-less installation – Reduces labor time.
No hardware needed – Eliminates screws, nuts, and washers.
Safe for electronics – No conductive material; good for insulating boards.
Consistent spacing – Ensures precise assembly in mass production.

They are available in various design types.

Snap Fit Spacers are available in Nylon.

Snap Fit Spacer MF Nylon Black K4C16 – Download Datasheet

Snap Fit Spacer MM Nylon White K3C16 – Download Datasheet

USAGE GUIDE

Hole size is important when assembling a standoff. Ensure sufficient clearance but not a large gap. A 0.10mm to 0.20mm higher diameter than that of the screw diameter is optimal.
Use a plain washer along with a Screw or Nut to spread the load evenly.
Do NOT over tighten the nut or screw.