Discover over 100 names of tools in English with their uses, covering hand tools, power tools, garden tools, and more.
Learning the names of tools in English is essential if you want to work on home projects, repair tasks, or even communicate with others about handy work. In this guide, you’ll discover over 101 tools, what they are called in English, and their primary uses.
Whether you’re a beginner on the tools or just looking to expand your vocabulary, this article will help you understand tools and how to talk about them confidently.
Tool Names List
Here is a list of tool names in English with their uses, organized by alphabetical order in relevant categories:
Hand Tools
Hand tools are the most basic tools used in everyday tasks. They don’t require electricity or batteries and are typically powered by your own strength.
- Allen Wrench (Hex Key): Tightens or loosens bolts and screws with a hexagonal socket.
- Chisel: Used to carve or cut hard materials like wood, stone, or metal.
- File: Smooths rough edges or surfaces, typically on metal or wood.
- Hammer: Used to drive nails into wood, break objects, or shape materials.
- Handsaw: Used to cut wood or other materials manually.
- Level: Helps determine if a surface is even, either horizontally or vertically.
- Mallet: A mallet delivers a softer blow than a hammer, often used with chisels or to shape materials.
- Pliers: Grip, bend, or cut wire and other materials. They have strong jaws for holding small objects.
- Pry Bar (Crowbar): A pry bar is used to pull apart objects, remove nails, or pry things open.
- Screwdriver: Tightens or loosens screws. There are different types, such as flathead and Phillips.
- Socket Set: A socket set contains various sockets that fit nuts and bolts for tightening or loosening.
- Tape Measure: Measures length, width, and height in both inches and centimeters.
- Utility Knife: Used to cut materials like cardboard, rope, or plastic.
- Vise: Holds objects in place while you work on them, such as sawing or drilling.
- Wrench (Spanner): Used to turn nuts and bolts. They come in various sizes.
Garden Tools
Garden tools help you maintain your garden, whether it’s planting, trimming, or digging.
- Fork (Garden Fork): A garden fork loosens, lifts, and turns soil in gardens.
- Garden Hose: A garden hose delivers water to plants, grass, or cleaning tasks.
- Hedge Trimmer: A hedge trimmer trims and shapes hedges or shrubs.
- Hoe: Loosens soil and removes weeds.
- Lawnmower: A lawnmower cuts grass to a uniform height, keeping your lawn neat.
- Pruning Shears: Cut or trim small branches and plants.
- Rake: Collects leaves, debris, or levels soil.
- Shovel: Digs, moves, or removes soil, gravel, or snow.
- Spade: A spade is used for digging, edging, or cutting sod.
- Strimmer (String Trimmer): A strimmer trims grass and weeds in hard-to-reach areas.
- Trowel: A trowel is used for small digging tasks, planting, or mixing soil.
- Wheelbarrow: Transports heavy loads like soil, plants, or tools.
Power Tools
Power tools are tools powered by electricity or batteries. They make tasks quicker and easier, but they require proper handling.
- Angle Grinder: Cuts, grinds, or polishes metal, stone, and other tough materials.
- Belt Sander: A belt sander smooths large surfaces quickly, especially wood.
- Chainsaw: A chainsaw cuts through wood, often used for felling trees or cutting logs.
- Circular Saw: Used to make straight cuts in wood, plastic, or metal.
- Drill: Makes holes in wood, metal, or other materials. It can also drive screws.
- Heat Gun: Blows hot air to strip paint, shrink plastic, or thaw pipes.
- Impact Driver: Drives screws faster and more efficiently than a regular drill.
- Jackhammer: A jackhammer breaks up concrete, asphalt, or other hard surfaces.
- Jigsaw: Makes curved or intricate cuts in various materials.
- Nail Gun: Drives nails into wood much faster than a hammer.
- Power Sander: Smooths large surfaces quickly, using rotating or vibrating sandpaper.
- Rotary Tool (Dremel): Can cut, carve, sand, and polish small areas with precision.
Measuring and Layout Tools
Accurate measurements are crucial in any project. These tools help you plan, mark, and measure with precision.
- Caliper: Measures the distance between two opposite sides of an object.
- Chalk Line: Marks long, straight lines on flat surfaces.
- Laser Level: Projects a straight line to ensure surfaces are level.
- Protractor: Measures angles accurately.
- Ruler: Measures length, typically up to 12 inches or 30 centimeters.
- Spirit Level: A spirit level checks if surfaces are perfectly horizontal or vertical.
- Square (Carpenter’s Square): Checks right angles and guides straight cuts.
Cutting Tools
Cutting tools come in various shapes and sizes to slice through different materials like wood, metal, or plastic.
- Bolt Cutters: Cut through metal bolts, chains, or padlocks.
- Box Cutter: Cuts cardboard, plastic, or thin materials.
- Hacksaw: Cuts metal, plastic, or thin wood.
- Pipe Cutter: Slices through pipes, usually made of copper or plastic.
- Scissors: Scissors cut paper, fabric, and other light materials.
- Tin Snips: Cut thin metal sheets.
- Utility Scissors: Utility scissors are heavy-duty and can cut through tough materials like wire, plastic, and thick fabric.
Fasteners
- Bolt: A bolt fastens materials together, usually with a nut.
- Nail: A nail fastens materials together by being driven into them.
- Nut: A nut secures bolts, creating a tight joint.
- Screw: A screw joins materials by threading into them.
- Washer: A washer spreads the load of a bolt or screw and prevents loosening.
Fastening Tools
Fastening tools help you connect materials securely, whether it’s driving nails, screws, or bolts.
- Caulking Gun: A caulking gun applies caulk or sealant to fill gaps or seal joints.
- Clamps: Hold objects tightly in place during assembly or gluing.
- Nut Driver: A nut driver tightens or loosens nuts, usually with a hexagonal socket.
- Rivet Gun: Fastens rivets, usually in metalwork.
- Socket Wrench: Tightens or loosens nuts and bolts with a set of interchangeable sockets.
- Staple Gun: Drives staples into surfaces, commonly used for upholstery.
Plumbing Tools
Plumbing tools are essential for repairing or installing pipes, faucets, and other water-related fixtures.
- Basin Wrench: Tightens or loosens nuts under sinks.
- Drain Snake: Clears blockages in pipes.
- Pipe Threader: Cuts threads on the end of pipes to connect fittings.
- Pipe Wrench: Grips and turns pipes or other rounded objects.
- Plumber’s Tape (Teflon Tape): Plumber’s tape seals threaded pipe joints, preventing leaks.
- Plunger: Clears clogs in drains or toilets using suction.
Electrical Tools
Electrical tools are used for wiring, diagnosing electrical issues, and working on electrical systems.
- Circuit Tester: Checks whether an electrical outlet or circuit is working.
- Crimping Tool: Connects wires to connectors by squeezing them together.
- Multimeter: Measures voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits.
- Soldering Iron: Melts solder to join electrical wires or components.
- Voltage Tester: A voltage tester checks for electrical current in wires, outlets, or appliances.
- Wire Stripper: Removes the insulation from electrical wires.
Painting Tools
Painting tools help you prepare surfaces and apply paint for a smooth, professional finish.
- Paint Roller: Covers large surfaces quickly with paint.
- Paint Tray: Holds paint for rollers and brushes.
- Paintbrush: Applies paint in small or detailed areas.
- Painter’s Tape: Marks off areas to prevent paint from getting on them.
- Putty Knife: Spreads putty or removes old paint or wallpaper.
- Scraper: A scraper removes old paint, wallpaper, or debris from surfaces.
- Stirring Stick: A stirring stick mixes paint thoroughly before application.
Automotive Tools
Automotive tools are essential for working on cars, motorcycles, or other vehicles.
- Funnel: Helps pour fluids into small openings without spilling.
- Lug Wrench: A lug wrench tightens or loosens lug nuts on car wheels.
- Jack: Lifts a vehicle off the ground for maintenance.
- Jumper Cables: Jump-start a dead car battery by connecting it to another battery.
- Oil Filter Wrench: Removes oil filters during vehicle maintenance.
- Tire Pressure Gauge: A tire pressure gauge measures the air pressure in tires.
- Torque Wrench: Tightens bolts to a specific torque, ensuring they are not too tight or loose.
Welding Tools
Welding tools are used to join metal parts by melting them together.
- Angle Grinder (For Welding): Cleans up welds and cuts metal before welding.
- Welding Clamps: Hold metal pieces together during welding.
- Welding Helmet: Protects your face and eyes from sparks and bright light.
- Welding Torch: Generates heat to melt metal parts for joining.
- Wire Brush: Cleans metal surfaces before welding.
Miscellaneous Tools
These are additional tools that don’t fit into specific categories but are equally important.
- Crowbar: Pries open objects or removes nails.
- Dustpan and Brush: Collects and disposes of small debris.
- Ladder: Helps you reach high places safely.
- Safety Goggles: Protect your eyes from debris or chemicals.
- Tool Box: Stores and organizes your tools.
- Utility Light (Work Light): A utility light illuminates workspaces during tasks.
Conclusion: Can You Name Tools in English?
Learning the names of tools in English is essential for expanding your vocabulary, especially if you enjoy DIY projects, gardening, or maintenance work.
With over 100 tools covered in this guide, you should now have a solid understanding of various tools and their uses. Whether you’re fixing something around the house, working on a construction site, or tackling a garden project, knowing these tool names will help you communicate clearly and confidently.
Keep practicing, and soon these tools will become a natural part of your English vocabulary!
James has been helping people teach English abroad for over twelve years. He’s traveled to over 30 countries, lived in 3, and taught English in Chile and online.
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