What is the difference between a Shim Washer and a Flat Washer?

Even though Shim Washers can look very similar to Flat Washers and sometimes have the same dimensions, there is a difference in their purpose/usage.

Flat Washers are mainly used for load distribution, fastening and surface protection especially with screws, nuts & bolts. Whereas Shim Washers are widely used as space fillers or gap alignment. Shim Washers are also more precision made, with tighter tolerances.

Shim Washers also have various available thicknesses with the same inside diameter and outside diameter. For example, 8mm x 14mm has thicknesses available of 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm and 1mm.

We offer both Flat Washers and Shim Washers online.