Camera Tripod Screw Name: 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16
What is the camera screw called?
The most common “camera screw” is called a 1/4”-20 tripod screw (also referred to as a 1/4”-20 mounting screw). It’s the standard threaded screw used to attach most cameras to tripods, quick-release plates, L-brackets, and many other supports. “1/4”” describes the diameter, and “20” means 20 threads per inch.
You’ll also see a larger standard in photo gear: the 3/8”-16 screw. This one is more common on heavier-duty tripod heads and professional support equipment. Many tripods use a 3/8”-16 stud at the top, while many cameras and plates are tapped for 1/4”-20—so adapters are frequently used to bridge the two sizes.
On the camera body itself, the threaded hole on the bottom is typically called the tripod mount or tripod socket. The screw that goes into it might be described as a tripod screw, mounting screw, or camera mounting bolt, but in practical shopping terms, “1/4”-20” is the spec that matters most.
How to identify which screw you need
If you’re attaching a camera directly to a plate or L-bracket, it’s almost always 1/4”-20. If you’re attaching a tripod head to tripod legs, it’s often 3/8”-16. A quick check: 1/4”-20 hardware looks noticeably slimmer than 3/8”-16, and 3/8”-16 threads are wider and coarser.
For a deeper look at how mounting screws, plates, and L-brackets work together—especially when switching between horizontal and vertical shooting—see the guide here: https://pacifiqua.com/guide-l-bracket-quick-release-plate-vertical-video-1-4-inch/.
For Camera Tripod Screw Name: 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16, the best answer depends on fit, material, care instructions, and how the product will be used day to day.
FAQ
What is the difference between 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 tripod threads?
1/4″-20 is the common camera-to-plate/tripod screw size, while 3/8″-16 is more common for tripod heads and heavier support components. Adapters are often used when the two standards need to connect.
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