Spade vs Ring Terminal: Which One Should You Buy?

A loose speaker wire behind a dashboard and a ground wire that keeps slipping off its stud can both stall a garage job, and spade vs ring terminal is the choice between a fork that slides on and a loop that closes around the screw. Buy a fork spade terminal when the screw should stay in place and the terminal may need swapping, and buy a ring terminal when the terminal must stay put until the screw comes out. The listings in this guide cover spade terminals only, so the ring side is explained by shape, and a ring terminal’s own listing should be checked for its gauge range and screw size before buying.

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Below: how the two shapes differ, how to match gauge and screw size, and the spade gear listed for this guide.

Spade vs Ring Terminal: How the Shapes Differ

In screw-terminal use, a spade terminal is a fork, with an open U shape at the end. A ring terminal is a closed loop, with the metal forming a full circle around the screw. That shape difference decides how each one is fitted and removed: a fork slides onto a screw from the side, while a closed loop sits over a stud only after the screw comes out, then stays in place until the screw comes out again.

Not every spade listing here is a fork. The AIRIC and XHF listings are female spade quick disconnects, which fit a male tab rather than a screw, and the MorningRo listing is a piggyback spade with male and female tabs. Only the Twidec listing is described as a fork type, so the screw comparison above applies to that listing, not to every spade listing in the gear section.

For ring options, see the best ring terminal electrical guide. The gear section below lists spade terminals only, because those are the listings given for this guide.

Match the Gauge and the Screw Size

Gauge range is the first match to check, and it must come from the listing for the terminal in hand. The AIRIC and XHF listings state 16-14 AWG. The Twidec listing states three ranges: 22-16, 16-14 and 12-10, with a fit for USA screw #8. The MorningRo listing states no wire gauge range, only 0.25 inch tabs, so its gauge fit must be checked on its own listing before buying.

Current and material matter next, and only the listings that state them should be quoted. Only the AIRIC listing states a maximum current, at 27A, with a wire range of 1.5-2.5mm² and a 0.25 inch tin-plated brass receptacle. The Twidec listing states tin-plated red copper with a PVC cover, and the XHF listing states tinned copper cores with a nylon cover. For mains or high-voltage work, use a licensed electrician.

The Spade Gear in This Guide

The four spade listings below are in order, with the fullest listing first and the narrowest listing last.

AIRIC Blue Female Spade, 100 Pieces

AIRIC lists 100 female fully insulated spade terminals in blue, for 16-14 AWG wire, with a wire range of 1.5-2.5mm², a maximum current of 27A and a 0.25 inch tin-plated brass receptacle. The listing states durable nylon plus brass, a translucent nylon shell for visual inspection of inserted wiring, and uses spanning automotive, car audio speaker, marine, consumer, high and low voltage, and industrial applications. UL is named in the title, and the spec table states Lifetime Warranty.

Twidec Fork Spade Assortment, 245 Pieces

Twidec lists a fork spade assortment in a classified plastic box, with red terminals for 22-16 AWG at 100 pieces, blue terminals for 16-14 AWG at 100 pieces, and yellow terminals for 12-10 AWG at 45 pieces, for a total of 245 pieces. The listing states tin-plated red copper, a PVC cover, a fork type design, and a fit for USA screw #8, with three colors for easy identification. The spec table lists NumberOfItems as 1, against 245 pieces across the three sizes in the bullets, and this guide follows the bullets over the spec table.

XHF Blue Female Spade, 100 Pieces

XHF lists 100 blue female spade terminals for 16-14 AWG, with tin plating, a nylon cover that insulates, and tinned copper cores to prevent corrosion. The listing states quick disconnects for electrical wiring, with a standard of RoHS and CE certified. The spec table lists NumberOfItems as 1, against 100 pieces in the title and bullets, and this guide follows the title and bullets over the spec table.

MorningRo Piggyback Spade, 36 Pieces

MorningRo lists 36 pieces, with 12 piggyback spade connectors, 12 double spade connectors, and 12 chair terminal quick disconnect adapters. Each connector features two 0.25 inch male heads and one 0.25 inch female head, in brass, with a gold color, for automotive wiring and power equipment industries. The listing states no wire gauge range, so its gauge fit must be checked on its own listing before buying.

FAQ: garage tools

Can a spade terminal be removed without removing the screw?

A fork spade slides onto a screw, so the screw can stay in place while the terminal is swapped. A female spade quick disconnect does not use a screw at all; it slides onto a male tab. The Twidec listing is the fork type here.

What gauge ranges do the spade listings here state?

The AIRIC and XHF listings state 16-14 AWG. The Twidec listing states 22-16, 16-14 and 12-10.

Which spade listing states a lifetime warranty?

The AIRIC listing states Lifetime Warranty in the spec table.

Does any listing here state a ring terminal?

No. The four listings in this guide are spade terminals, with only the Twidec listing described as a fork type, so check a ring terminal’s own listing for its gauge and screw size.

What screw size does the Twidec assortment fit?

The Twidec listing fits USA screw #8.

Related: butt connector vs ring terminal, the best ring terminal electrical guide, crimp vs solder connectors and the diagnostics and electrical hub.