Does a Brad Nailer Also Use Staples?

On this page (9 sections)

1. Does a brad nailer also use staples?
2. What fasteners does a brad nailer actually take?
3. Why won't staples fit in a brad nailer?
4. What's the difference between a brad nailer and a stapler?
5. Can you buy a tool that fires both brads and staples?
6. What should you use instead when a job needs staples?
7. Which brad nailer should you buy for trim work?
8. What about using a brad nailer for roofing or heavy work?
9. So does a brad nailer also use staples?

No. A brad nailer fires 18-gauge brad nails, not staples.

The magazine, feed track and nose are built for brad strips, so staples won't load or fire. If you need staples, use a stapler with the right crown width.

That answer matters when you're standing in a store aisle deciding between two tools. The fasteners look similar in a photo and both hold trim, but they don't swap.

Here's how to tell which tool does what and when each one earns its place in your kit.

Does a brad nailer also use staples?

No, and the reason is mechanical, not a matter of brand or model. A brad nail is a thin 18-gauge shank with a small head, and the nailer's magazine holds a glued strip of them at a set angle.

A staple is a U-shaped piece with a crown connecting two legs, and its crown is wider than a brad head.

The magazine channel, the driver blade and the nose opening are all sized for the brad strip, so a staple won't sit flat or feed. Forcing one in risks a jam or a bent driver.

Load brads only, and learn the correct strip orientation with our step-by-step guide on how to load a brad nailer.

What fasteners does a brad nailer actually take?

An 18-gauge brad nailer takes 18-gauge brads, usually 5/8 inch to 2 inches long. Gauge is the wire thickness, and 18-gauge is the thin, small-hole size that most trim carpenters reach for.

Length depends on the model.

The Ryobi P322, for example, sinks brads up to 2-1/8 inches in hardwoods. A brad's small head leaves a pinhole that fills with putty, which is why it's the go-to for window and door casing.

It is not built to hold a wide crown or bridge two legs. Think of it as a thin finishing nail, not a fastener that grips like a staple.

The fastener is the same family as the finish nail but lighter, so you're pinning thin material rather than clamping it.

Why won't staples fit in a brad nailer?

The magazine and nose geometry differ, so staples won't fit even if they look close in size. Three things block it.

The staple crown is wider than the brad head, the strip profile is different, and the driver blade is thin and flat to match a brad's head.

The nose opening is also cut to let a single brad pass, not a staple's crown. Some people try clipping staples apart or forcing a short strip in.

That bends the feed track and can snap the driver. If a staple won't slide into the channel freely, stop there.

A stapler is the correct tool.

What's the difference between a brad nailer and a stapler?

A brad nailer leaves a tiny round hole; a stapler drives a wide crown that grips across a seam. That difference decides which tool suits the job.

Brads pin thin trim in place with minimal surface damage, so they're right for delicate casing and small moldings.

Staples hold better where the fastener needs to bridge or clamp, such as attaching a back panel or securing fabric over a frame. The two also differ in how they pull a joint tight.

A staple's legs straddle the material and bite from both sides. A brad relies on friction and a small head.

Our comparison of brad nailer vs crown stapler walks through where each tool fits.

Do the tools differ in how fast they fire?

Yes, and the difference is set by the tool, not the fastener. The WORX WX842L fires up to 80 nails per minute, which suits long runs of baseboard or fence panels.

Its two modes let you switch between bump firing and single sequential firing for precision. The Ryobi P322 does not list a firing-rate figure.

What it does list is driving power, up to 2,250 nails per charge and 60% more nail driving power than the brushed model. A stapler runs on its own motor and magazine, so its pace is a separate spec entirely.

Match the pace to the job, then match the fastener to the tool.

Can you buy a tool that fires both brads and staples?

Yes, but it's a separate tool class, not a brad nailer. Combination nailers and staplers have a magazine or swappable channel that accepts both fastener types.

They trade some of the brad nailer's precision for versatility.

If your work swings between trim and staples, a combo tool can save bench space. If you mostly run trim, a dedicated brad nailer does the job better because its nose and driver are tuned for brads.

The Ryobi P322 and P321 both fire brads only, and so does the WORX WX842L. Check the fastener type on the tool before you buy, not just the gauge.

A tool sold as an 18-gauge nailer can still be a stapler, so read the label closely.

What should you use instead when a job needs staples?

Match the stapler to the crown width and the material, not to your nailer. Upholstery staples, for instance, need a stapler with a crown wide enough to grip fabric without tearing it.

Construction staples for sheathing or fencing need a heavier stapler and longer legs.

A brad nailer's 18-gauge brad is too thin and too narrow-headed for either job. If you already own a brad nailer, don't try to make it do staple work.

Add a stapler for staple jobs and keep each tool loaded with its own fastener. That keeps both tools running without jams.

A stapler's magazine is also built around the crown, so it feeds a strip the brad nailer's channel would never accept.

Which brad nailer should you buy for trim work?

For most trim and small projects, the Ryobi P322 is the strongest choice of the three here. It's a brushless 18V model that drives up to 2-1/8-inch brads in hardwoods and uses an AccuDrive nose for a clear line of sight.

That matters when you're placing a brad in a tight corner.

Ryobi says the brushless motor drives up to 2,250 nails per charge. It runs on the ONE+ battery platform, so it shares batteries with the rest of the line.

It also has a tool-free depth of drive adjustment and an air pressure speed dial, so you can set nail heads properly instead of guessing.

Who should choose the Ryobi P321 or the WORX WX842L?

Choose the Ryobi P321 if you want a simpler 18V brad nailer on the same ONE+ battery platform and don't need the brushless upgrades. It's an 18-gauge cordless brad nailer that fires brads only.

Ryobi backs it with a 30-day limited warranty. For most buyers already in the ONE+ system, the P322's extra power and clear nose are worth the step up.

Browse more choices in our roundup of the best brad nailers for trim and small projects.

Choose the WORX WX842L if you want a kit with a battery and charger included and a high firing rate. It's a 20V 18-gauge cordless brad nailer that fires up to 80 nails per minute.

WORX says its NailForce Air Impact Technology sinks brads up to 2 inches into hardwood. It has two firing modes, single sequential and bump, plus a tool-free jam release and dual LED lights.

Its battery also works across the WORX Power Share line. That kit setup is the main draw if you don't already own a WORX battery.

What about using a brad nailer for roofing or heavy work?

No. A brad nailer isn't built for roofing or structural fastening.

A brad's small head and thin 18-gauge shank can't hold shingles or framing the way a roofing nailer's wide head and heavier gauge can.

Save the brad nailer for trim. For roof work, read our answer on whether you can use a brad nailer for roofing before you start.

The same limit applies to staples in a brad nailer: the tool's design decides what it fires. Use the tool built for the fastener and the load.

So does a brad nailer also use staples?

No. A brad nailer uses 18-gauge brads only, and staples need a stapler.

The magazine, driver and nose are shaped for brad strips, so staples won't load or fire.

If your job calls for staples, buy a stapler with the matching crown width and keep the brad nailer loaded with brads. For trim, a dedicated brad nailer like the Ryobi P322 is the better fit.

Check the fastener type before you buy, and you'll never jam a tool with the wrong strip.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put staples in a brad nailer magazine?

No. A staple's crown is wider than a brad's head and the magazine is sized for brad strips.

Forcing staples in can jam the tool or damage the feed track.

What size brads does an 18-gauge brad nailer take?

An 18-gauge brad nailer takes 18-gauge brads, usually from 5/8 inch up to 2 inches depending on the model. The Ryobi P322 drives brads up to 2-1/8 inches in hardwoods.

Can I use a brad nailer for staples in upholstery?

No. Upholstery staples need a stapler built for that crown width.

A brad nailer's thin head won't hold fabric the way a staple does, so match the tool to the job.