Mounting hardware is the smallest part of your setup and one of the easiest to get wrong. Too short and the nut won't catch. Too long and the bolt sticks up past the nut. The right set holds your trucks tight, protects your deck, and can even add some color.
This guide covers how to pick the right length, the difference between Phillips, Allen, combo, and pound-in hardware, and our quick picks, starting with Dime Bag Anodized hardware.
Hardware Basics
A set of skateboard mounting hardware includes 8 bolts and 8 nuts, 4 per truck. The bolts go down through the griptape and deck, through the truck baseplate, and the lock nuts tighten underneath. Skateboard hardware is a standard size, so it fits standard skateboard trucks and decks. The two things you're really choosing are length and drive type.
Length: Match It to Your Risers
Risers up to 1/8" work with 1" hardware, and you add length as risers get taller.
| Length | Use It With |
|---|---|
| 7/8" | No risers |
| 1" | No risers, or risers up to 1/8" |
| 1 1/8" | 1/8" risers with a little extra room |
| 1 1/4" | 1/4" risers |
| 1 1/2" | 1/2" risers |
| 2" | Tall riser stacks and longboards |
Not sure what risers you need? See our riser guide and our sizing guide.
Drive Types
| Drive | How It Works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Phillips | Tightens with any Phillips screwdriver or skate tool | Dime Bag Anodized, Independent Genuine Parts, Spitfire Phillips |
| Allen | Tightens with an Allen (hex) key, which many sets include | Dime Bag Allen with Wrench, Spitfire Allen, Ace Hollow Gripper Bolts |
| Combo | Works with either a Phillips or Allen driver | Andale Combo Head |
| Pound-In | No screwdriver needed. The bolt taps into the deck, then the nut tightens it down | Screw City, Grind King Rocketbolts, Lurpiv Studs |
Phillips and Allen hold the same. Pick whichever tool you carry.
Head Styles and Special Hardware
| Style | What It Does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Standard countersunk | Sits flush in the deck under your griptape | Dime Bag 6 Black + 2 Anodized, TGM Phillips |
| Hollow | Hollowed-out bolts for the lightest setup possible; the only hollow skateboard hardware on the market | Ace Hollow Gripper Bolts |
| Longneck | Reduced threading to minimize baseplate blowout | Girl Longneck, Chocolate Longneck |
| Button head and panhead | Lower-profile heads for old school, cruiser, and longboard setups | Loaded Button Head, Tripin Panhead |
| Drop-through | Pan head bolts with washer rings, made only for drop-through longboards | Dime Bag Drop-Through Hardware |
Color and Indicator Bolts
Hardware is an easy way to add color. Dime Bag Anodized hardware comes all in one anodized color, with the color locked into the metal for scratch and corrosion resistance, and Dime Bag 6 Black + 2 Anodized adds just two accent bolts. Some sets include colored indicator bolts to mark your nose and tail, like Thunder hardware.
Installing Hardware
- Push the bolts down through the griptape and deck holes.
- Set your truck baseplate over the bolts.
- Thread the nuts on and tighten them with a 3/8" socket while holding the bolt head with your driver.
- Tighten until the bolt heads sit flush with the griptape. Don't crank them past flush.
Most hardware doesn't come with a full skate tool. Our TGM T-Tool has the 3/8" socket plus an Allen/Phillips driver, and it's our best-selling item.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dime Bag Anodized | Color | Anodized bolts and nuts in one solid color |
| Dime Bag 6 Black + 2 Anodized | A little color | Six black bolts plus two anodized accents |
| Independent Genuine Parts | Classic, tough hardware | Guaranteed not to break, per Independent |
| Spitfire Allen | Allen with a tool | Premium Allen bolts with a custom Allen tool |
| TGM Phillips | Everyday basics | Black shoulder bolts in lengths from 7/8" to 2" |
| Ace Hollow Gripper Bolts | Lightest setup | The only hollow skateboard hardware on the market |
| Screw City | No screwdriver | Pound-in bolts with designed heads |
| Loaded Button Head | Longboards | Integrated washer for a lower head |
| Dime Bag Drop-Through | Drop-through decks | Pan head bolts with washer rings |
Shop by Brand
- Dime Bag Hardware: Anodized solid colors, 6 black + 2 anodized, Allen with wrench, and drop-through
- Independent: Genuine Parts Precision and Cross bolts
- Spitfire: Phillips and Allen in 7/8" to 1 1/4"
- TGM Skateboards: Black Phillips and Allen shoulder bolts
- Ace: Standard, anodized gold and silver, and Hollow Gripper Bolts
- Tripin: Phillips and panhead in six colorways
- Screw City: Pound-in and Gems hardware
- Shake Junt: Black with green and yellow accents, or all green and yellow
- Pig: Phillips in black, gold, copper, green, and purple, plus Prime Allen
- Blind: Black with silver accents
- Modus: Black with blue accents
- World Industries: Black with an extra red bolt
- Thunder: Black with color indicator bolts
- Loaded: Button head and countersunk
- Grind King: Rocketbolts
- Girl: Longneck
- Chocolate: Longneck
- Diamond Supply Co.: Pro model hardware
- Slappy: Textured-top bolts
- Olympia Supply: Black Phillips
- Mini Logo: Black Phillips
- Bones: Vato white heads
- DGK: Premium and Spittaz bolts
- Enjoi: Little Buddies color spectrum
- Jacuzzi: Dark Wave
- Opera: Allen with tool
- Royal: Allen
- Lurpiv: Allen and Studs
- Andale: Combo and Allen
FAQ
What size hardware do I need?
Use 1" for no risers or risers up to 1/8", and add length as risers get taller: 1 1/4" for 1/4" risers, 1 1/2" for 1/2" risers.
How many bolts do I need?
8 bolts and 8 nuts, 4 per truck. Some sets include extra accent or indicator bolts.
Is Phillips or Allen better?
They hold the same. Choose the one that matches the tool you carry.
What is pound-in hardware?
Bolts that tap into your deck instead of being turned with a screwdriver, then tighten down with the nut. No screwdriver needed.
Will any hardware fit my trucks?
Yes. Skateboard mounting hardware is a standard size. Just pick the right length for your risers.
Keep Building Your Setup
- How to Choose Skateboard Risers
- How to Choose a Skate Tool
- Skateboard Truck Size Guide
- How to Choose Skateboard Rails
- How to Choose Skateboard Bearings
- Skateboard Wheels Guide
- Sizing Guide for Decks, Trucks, Wheels, Hardware, and Risers
Ready to lock in your trucks? Shop all skateboard hardware.