Turnbuckle types — eye, hook and jaw ends, bodies and stub ends — and the thread diameter × take-up sizes the makers list for each, with what they say about ratings.
A turnbuckle is an adjuster for tension: a body threaded right-hand at one end and left-hand at the other, with an end fitting — eye, hook, jaw or stub — screwed into each end. Turning the body draws the ends in or pushes them out. Turnbuckles are named by thread diameter × take-up, the distance they adjust.
| Ends | What it is | Used for | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye & eye | A closed loop (eye) on each end | Eye ends take a shackle, a hook or a wire rope eye; the closed eye can’t slip off | The maker’s rating only. |
| Hook & eye | An open hook on one end, an eye on the other | Quick to hook on and off a fixed eye or anchor | Rated lower than eye or jaw ends of the same size — the maker’s rating only. |
| Hook & hook | An open hook on each end | Quick to hook on and off at both ends | Rated lower than eye or jaw ends of the same size — the maker’s rating only. |
| Jaw & eye | A jaw (clevis) with a bolt or pin on one end, an eye on the other | The jaw goes over a plate, tab or eye and is closed with its pin | The maker’s rating only. |
| Jaw & jaw | A jaw (clevis) with a bolt or pin on each end | Connects two plates, tabs or eyes directly | The maker’s rating only. |
| Body only | The threaded frame alone, one end right-hand thread and the other left-hand | Replacement body, or made up with your own threaded rods or end fittings | The maker’s rating only. |
| Stub ends | A body with a threaded stud (stub) in each end | Joining to your own rod or fitting | The maker’s rating only. |
| Thread | Eye & eye | Hook & eye | Hook & hook | Jaw & eye | Jaw & jaw | Body only | Stub ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4-20 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 5/16-18 | 4-1/2 | 4-1/2 | 4-1/2 | 4-1/2 | 4-1/2 | 4-1/2 | 4-1/2 |
| 3/8-16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 1/2-13 | 6, 12 | 6, 12 | 6, 12 | 6, 9, 12 | 6, 9, 12 | 6, 9, 12 | 6 |
| 5/8-11 | 6, 12 | 6, 12 | 6, 12 | 6, 9, 12 | 6, 9, 12 | 6, 9, 12 | 6 |
| 3/4-10 | 6, 12, 18 | 6, 12, 18 | 6, 12, 18 | 6, 9, 12, 18 | 6, 9, 12, 18 | 6, 9, 12, 18 | 6 |
| 7/8-9 | 12, 18 | 12 | 12 | 12, 18 | 12, 18 | 12, 18 | — |
| 1-8 | 6, 12, 18 | 12 | 12 | 6, 12, 18 | 6, 12, 18 | 6, 12, 18 | 6, 12 |
| 1-1/4-7 | 12 | — | — | 12 | 12 | 12 | — |
| 1-1/2-6 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | — |
| Diameter × take-up | Body length |
|---|---|
| 7/8″ × 12″ | 14-5/8″ |
| 1″ × 6″ | 9″ |
| 1″ × 18″ | 21″ |
Ratings and use
A turnbuckle’s rating belongs to its maker. Use a turnbuckle only to the rating marked on it or published by its maker for that exact turnbuckle — ratings for the same size differ from maker to maker, and a turnbuckle with no rating marked on it or published for it has none. This chart prints none.
Ratings are for a straight, in-line pull. The makers rate turnbuckles for a straight pull along the line of the turnbuckle, not for side or angled loads.
Hook ends are rated lower. At every size the makers list, a hook end turnbuckle is rated below the same size with eye or jaw ends.
Rated turnbuckles name their standard. The forged turnbuckles on this chart are made to the performance requirements of ASTM F1145 by their makers; ask for the maker’s certification when your job calls for it.
Good to know
A turnbuckle is sold by thread diameter × take-up — a 1/2 × 6 turnbuckle has 1/2″ threads and 6″ of take-up.
Take-up is how far it adjusts — the total distance the end fittings screw in and out of the body.
Closed length is the maker’s. Makers’ tables give different closed and open lengths for the same size, so this chart prints none — measure the one in hand, or check its maker’s table.
One end is right-hand thread, the other left-hand, so turning the body draws both ends in or out. Replacement end fittings are listed as right-hand or left-hand — order the hand you are replacing.
Bodies are threaded coarse (UNC) — the thread column of the sizes table is the coarse pitch for each diameter.
Jaw ends close with a bolt and nut or a pin and cotter, depending on the maker and the size.
Lock nuts are available for the end threads, to keep the turnbuckle from turning once it is set.
Quick answers
- How much weight can a turnbuckle hold?
- Only what its maker rates it for. Ratings for the same size differ between makers — use the rating marked on it or published by its maker, for a straight, in-line pull.
- What does take-up mean on a turnbuckle?
- Take-up is how far the turnbuckle adjusts — the total distance the end fittings screw in and out of the body. A 1/2 × 6 turnbuckle has 1/2″ threads and 6″ of take-up.
- What sizes do 1/2 inch turnbuckles come in?
- Forged 1/2″ (1/2-13) jaw & jaw turnbuckles are listed by two or more makers with 6″, 9″, 12″ of take-up.
- Can I lift with a hook turnbuckle?
- Only to its maker’s rating, in a straight pull. At every size the makers list, hook end turnbuckles are rated lower than eye or jaw ends of the same size.
- Why do turnbuckles have a left-hand thread?
- One end is right-hand thread and the other left-hand, so turning the body draws both ends in (or out) at once.