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You buy a box of stapler pins, open it at the office, and they do not fit the stapler. It happens all the time, because the numbers on the box are easy to mix up. Here is what they mean.
How to read the numbers
Most staple sizes are written as two numbers, like 24/6.
- The first number is the wire. A higher number means a thinner wire. So 26 is thinner than 24, and 23 is thicker than both.
- The second number is the leg length in millimetres. A longer leg goes through more paper.
The common sizes
| Size | Fits | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 24/6 | Standard desk staplers | Everyday office papers |
| 26/6 | Standard desk staplers | Light work, a few sheets at a time |
| No.10 | Mini and pocket staplers | School, home, a few sheets |
| 23/8, 23/10, 23/13 and longer | Heavy-duty staplers | Thick reports and files |
Many desk staplers take both 24/6 and 26/6. No.10 pins are smaller and fit only No.10 staplers. The thick 23 pins fit only heavy-duty staplers.
Find your size in ten seconds
Look at the stapler itself. The pin size is usually printed on the base, on the side or under the top cover. If you cannot find it, keep the old pin box, or take a photo of the stapler and send it to us.
How many sheets can it staple?
A normal desk stapler with 24/6 pins handles roughly 20 to 30 sheets of 80 gsm paper, depending on the model. Do not force a thicker stack. The pins bend, and the stapler jams.
For thick documents use a heavy-duty stapler. With these you choose the leg length to suit the stack. The leg must pass through all the pages and still have a few millimetres left to fold flat at the back. Short legs are for thinner stacks, and 23/13 or longer legs are for thick ones. Most heavy-duty staplers have a small chart on the body or the box.
How to stop jams
- Use only the pin size marked on the stapler.
- Do not load two different sizes together.
- Do not staple more sheets than the stapler is made for.
- If a pin gets stuck, open the top and pull it out with a staple remover, not with your fingers or scissors.
- Keep pins dry. In humid air staples can rust and leave marks on papers that you keep for years.
What else to keep in the drawer
- A staple remover on every desk.
- A two-hole punch for filing. See box file, ring binder or suspension file.
- One heavy-duty stapler for the whole office, for reports and tender documents.
- A spare box of pins in the size your staplers use.
Order staplers and pins
See our staplers, stapler pins and the full staples and punches section. Not sure about the size? Send a photo of your stapler on WhatsApp and we will match the pins. Raifa Centre delivers across Qatar and accepts cash on delivery. Stocking a new office? Read our office stationery checklist.
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