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Choose the Right Staple Sizes

Brian Gregory

By Brian Gregory
Published December 22, 2023

Although a staple gun is simple to use, you’ll need to know how to choose the right staples for the stapler. Our handy guide can help.

An Arrow electric stapler fastening a canvas to a frame and a Bostitch manual stapler.

Types of Staplers

Here’s a general overview of the various types of staplers and stapler sizes available. Understanding these can help you select the right one for the job.

  • Standard Stapler: This is the type most often used in an office setting for stapling sheets of paper together. It uses standard staples. 
  • Heavy-duty Stapler: This type is used to staple large stacks of paper together and requires heavy-duty staples. 
  • Staple Gun: This tool is used for a plethora of do-it-yourself projects, such as roofing, carpentry, house wrapping, upholstery and more. It requires special heavy-duty staples. 
  • Electric Staple Gun: This type costs more than a standard stapler but can save a lot of time and effort if you plan to use it often. Some models require specialized staple cartridges, while others accept regular standard or heavy-duty staples. 
  • Long-reach Stapler: Also referred to as a long-neck stapler, this type is mostly used for binding books, catalogues and pamphlets. It requires special staples. 
  • Mini-stapler: This type is sometimes marketed as a travel stapler and can fit easily into a briefcase or bookbag in case you need to bind papers together. The drawbacks to a mini-stapler are that it doesn’t work well for thick stacks of paper and it must be refilled much more often than a standard stapler. 

    Understanding Staple Sizes

    A box of Bostitch heavy duty staples.

    The best way to determine which size staple you need is to consider three measurements: length, width and wire gauge.

    • Staple Length: A staple’s length is the measurement of one of its ‘legs,’ or one of the two parts of the staple that penetrate the material surface, for example a sheet of plywood or a stack of papers. The thicker the substance, the longer the staple will need to be to push through it. 
    • Staple Width (Crown Size): A staple’s width is the measurement of its top portion, which is also referred to the staple crown. Once a staple has been installed, the part that’s visible is the crown. 
    • Wire Gauge: This refers to how thick the staple metal is. Staples with a heavy gauge are intended for binding thicker, heavier materials. 

    Tips for Using a Stapler

    Tips for Using a Stapler

    • For thin plastic or fabric, measure the thickness of the material and choose a staple that is four millimeters longer than the thickness. 
    • If you need to bind wood, measure the thickness and choose a staple that’s twice as long. 
    • For most other types of materials, measure the thickness and choose a staple that’s three times longer.

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