Phillips Drive

A Phillips drive is a common screw head recess type with a cross-shaped (“+”) pattern designed to accept a Phillips screwdriver or bit. It’s widely used in general construction, household hardware, and light industrial applications. Phillips sizes are typically identified as #0, #1, #2, #3, and #4, with #2 being one of the most common for everyday screws. Using the correct size bit helps the tool seat properly in the recess and reduces the chance of slipping.

The Phillips drive was designed to help center the driver in the screw head and, in many traditional applications, to cam out (the driver intentionally slips) when torque gets too high. While this can help prevent over-tightening in some scenarios, it also means Phillips screws are more prone to bit slippage and recess damage than many newer drive styles when high torque is required. For best results, apply firm, straight pressure in line with the screw, keep the bit fully seated, and choose a sharp, correctly sized Phillips bit to minimize stripping.