Ratcheting Wrench Sizes: Metric and SAE Chart
Metric and SAE ratcheting wrench sizes, explained for the home garage, with four sets compared for the jobs they cover.
On this page
A brake job stalls on a bolt tucked behind a caliper bracket, where a socket and ratchet cannot swing and an open-end wrench has to lift off and reset after every small turn. That bolt is the reason to learn ratcheting wrench sizes: a ratcheting combination wrench keeps its grip while the handle swings back, so a tight spot still moves. Most home garage work is covered by metric and SAE sizes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on our product pages, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Below: how metric and SAE sizes map to garage jobs, how tooth count and head style change the work, the four sets, and answers to the usual sizing questions.
Klein Tools 69418CG 18-Piece Combination
An 18-piece SAE and metric set with a 90-tooth ratchet, pass-through ratchets and two MODbox compatible cases.
Pros
- 90-tooth ratchet with a minimized arc swing
- SAE 1/4 to 3/4 in and metric 6 to 19 mm in one set
- Pass-through ratchets for working on longer thread
- Two MODbox compatible cases with clear lids
Cons
- No per-size list, so the exact sizes are not stated
- Warranty is only "call vendor for warranty", with no term stated
- SAE range stops at 3/4 in, below the 7/8 in of the HORUSDY set
- Two cases take more shelf space than a rack
HORUSDY 24-Piece Ratcheting Wrench Set
A 24-piece metric and SAE set with a 72-tooth ratchet, chrome vanadium steel and an organizer rack.
Pros
- 24 pieces, metric and SAE in one set
- 72-tooth ratchet needs only a 5-degree swing arc
- Chrome vanadium steel, nickel plated
- Organizer rack included
Cons
- No flex head for tight spots
- No warranty term is stated
- Heaviest stated weight here
- Rack has no stated size markings
DEKOPRO 12-Piece Ratcheting Wrench Set 8-19mm
A 12-piece metric set with a 72-tooth ratchet, 12-point box ends and a storage rack.
Pros
- Full metric run, 8 to 19 mm, all 12 sizes
- 72-tooth ratchet needs only a 5-degree swing arc
- 12-point box end grips bolts securely
- Storage rack included
Cons
- Metric only, no SAE sizes
- Fixed head, no flex for tight spots
- No weight or dimensions are stated
- No warranty term is stated
DEKOPRO 8-PC Flex Head Ratcheting Wrench Set
An 8-piece metric flex head set with a 72-tooth ratchet, 12-point box ends and a marked tool roll.
Pros
- 180-degree flex head reaches confined spaces
- 72-tooth ratchet needs only a 5-degree swing arc
- 12-point box end grips bolts securely
- Tool roll with size marks and two grommets for hanging
Cons
- Set skips 16 mm
- Smallest set here at 8 pieces
- Metric only, no SAE sizes
- No warranty term is stated
Ratcheting Wrench Sizes: Metric and SAE
Metric sizes run in millimetres and SAE sizes in fractions of an inch, and a garage that works on modern cars and older American hardware needs both. The sets here cover metric from 6 mm to 19 mm and SAE from 1/4 in to 7/8 in. Check the fastener before ordering: the size stamped on the bolt head or listed in the vehicle manual decides the wrench, not the size that looks close.
| Set | Metric sizes | SAE sizes |
|---|---|---|
| HORUSDY 24-piece | 8 to 19 mm | 1/4 to 7/8 in |
| DEKOPRO flex head | 9 to 17 mm, 16 mm skipped | Metric only |
| Klein 69418CG | 6 to 19 mm | 1/4 to 3/4 in |
| DEKOPRO fixed head | 8 to 19 mm | Metric only |
A set that skips a size leaves a bolt with no wrench in the drawer, so read the listed sizes, not just the range on the title. The DEKOPRO flex set lists 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17 mm, which means 16 mm is missing even though the title reads 9 to 17 mm. The DEKOPRO fixed set lists every size from 8 to 19 mm.
How Tooth Count and Head Style Change the Job
A 72-tooth ratchet needs only a 5-degree swing arc to reach the next tooth, which is what makes a ratcheting wrench work where a handle can barely move. The Klein set uses a 90-tooth ratchet, and the maker claims a 20-percent improvement over 72-tooth ratchets, with a minimized arc swing. Both DEKOPRO sets list a 12-point box end. A flex head turns 180 degrees, letting the DEKOPRO flex set work on bolts where a fixed head leaves no room for the handle to swing. The Klein set adds pass-through ratchets for working on longer thread, where a normal box end would run out of room.
Ratcheting Wrench Sets for the Home Garage
The sizes above decide the set, so each pick below is scored on the sizes it covers and the storage it comes with.
FAQ: garage tools
What ratcheting wrench sizes do I need for a home garage?
Metric 6 to 19 mm and SAE 1/4 to 7/8 in cover the sets here. Start with the sizes your vehicle manual lists.
Can one set cover both metric and SAE bolts?
Yes. The HORUSDY set covers metric 8 to 19 mm and SAE 1/4 to 7/8 in, and the Klein set covers metric 6 to 19 mm and SAE 1/4 to 3/4 in. The two DEKOPRO sets are metric only.
What is a flex head ratcheting wrench for?
The head turns 180 degrees, so the handle can sit at an angle to the bolt while the box end stays square on the fastener. That helps in confined spaces, where a fixed head leaves no room for the handle.
How do I store a ratcheting wrench set?
The sets here come with a rack, a tool roll or two cases. The HORUSDY and DEKOPRO fixed sets include a rack, the DEKOPRO flex set comes in a marked tool roll with two grommets for hanging, and the Klein set comes in two MODbox compatible cases.
Related: ratcheting wrench sets in SAE and metric, ratcheting wrench sets for tight spaces, analog vs digital torque wrenches and our engine and shop equipment hub.
