Nails and pins are small sharp fastenings used in woodworking and general construction both professionally and around the home and garden. DIY nails used to be made out of iron but today they are usually made from steel often dipped in substances to resist corrosion and rust. Nails and pins are often made from low carbon steel but masonry nails are harder and have a higher carbon content.

Nails and pins are inserted into wood and other material by shear force either with a hammer or with a nail gun. Nails work by friction and shear strength to keep two or more objects together. Pin nails are essentially nails that are particularly narrow and tend to have incredibly small heads.