We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from Amazon at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Some nuts are only a few millimeters from the next part. A jam nut locked against another nut, a brake caliper guide pin, a tie-rod adjuster or a hub cone: a standard combination wrench is just too thick to fit. A thin wrench set gives you heads thin enough to slide into those gaps, and it's the kind of set you don't miss until the one day you can't finish a job without it.
Thin wrenches come in three main types. Super thin open-end wrenches are the thinnest. Thin box-end wrenches grip more of the fastener while staying slim. Thin-head ratcheting wrenches save time where swing room is short. The right choice depends on whether you're fighting head thickness, swing room, or both.
We compared five current thin and slim wrench sets from Capri Tools and GearWrench using manufacturer specs.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Capri Tools CP11850-13MT (13 pieces, metric). Best for: super thin open ends from 6x7 to 30x32 mm in a tray.
- Amazon Alternative: Capri Tools 11850-7MRK (7 pieces, metric). Best for: the same super thin line in a smaller 6 to 19 mm set.
- Best SAE + Metric: Capri Tools CP11850-14MST (14 pieces). Best for: thin open ends in both systems, metric 6x7 to 22x24 mm.
- Best Thin Box-End: Capri Tools CP11800-6MPK (6 pieces). Best for: slim, extra-long 12-point box ends from 8 to 19 mm.
- Best Stubby Ratcheting: GearWrench 85206 (14 pieces). Best for: thin-head ratcheting wrenches in a short length.
- Best Thin-Head Ratcheting SAE: GearWrench 9533N (8 pieces). Best for: reversible SAE ratcheting wrenches with a thin head and beam.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Type | Pieces | Sizes | Thickness / profile | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capri CP11850-13MT | Best overall | Super thin open-end | 13 | 6x7 to 30x32 mm | 0.09" to 0.27" | Mechanic's tray |
| Capri 11850-7MRK | Amazon alternative | Super thin open-end | 7 | 6 to 19 mm | See listing | See listing |
| Capri CP11850-14MST | SAE + metric | Super thin open-end | 14 | 6x7 to 22x24 mm; 1/4"x5/16" to 5/8"x3/4" | 0.09" to 0.22" | Mechanic's tray |
| Capri CP11800-6MPK | Thin box-end | Super thin double box | 6 | 8x9 to 17x19 mm | Slim, 0° offset | Canvas pouch |
| GearWrench 85206 | Stubby ratcheting | Thin-head ratcheting combination | 14 | 3/8" to 3/4"; 10 to 15, 18 mm | Thin head and beam | Compression rack |
| GearWrench 9533N | SAE ratcheting | Thin-head reversible ratcheting | 8 | 5/16" to 3/4" | Thin head and beam | Wrench rack |
The Best Thin Wrench Sets, Reviewed
1. Capri Tools CP11850-13MT 13-Piece Metric Set: Best Overall
Who it's for: anyone working on metric cars, bikes or equipment who needs the thinnest practical open-end wrench.
Capri's Super Thin set has 13 double-ended wrenches covering 26 sizes: 6x7, 8x9, 10x11, 12x13, 14x15, 16x17, 18x19, 20x22, 21x23, 22x24, 24x27, 25x28 and 30x32 mm. Capri lists the thickness at 0.09 to 0.27 inches across the set, so even the large sizes stay slim enough for jam nuts and adjusters.
The heads are angled 15°, so you can flip the wrench after each short swing to re-engage the fastener in a narrow spot. They're forged chrome vanadium with a 10-step heat treatment and Capri's MaxChrome finish, stored in a labeled mechanic's tray, with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- 26 metric sizes from 6 mm to 32 mm
- Very thin heads, 0.09" to 0.27"
- Labeled tray
Cons
- Open-end only, so less grip than a box end
- Metric only
Capri Tools Super Thin 13-Piece Metric Wrench Set with Mechanics Tray CP11850-13MT
by Capri Tools
Amazon alternative: Capri Tools 11850-7MRK. We kept the 13-piece set as our top pick because of its size range, but we couldn't confirm a current Amazon listing for it; Capri sells it directly. On Amazon, Capri lists a 7-piece metric set from the same Super-Thin open-end line, model 11850-7MRK, covering 6 to 19 mm. It drops the large sizes above 19 mm, so it suits engine-bay and bicycle work more than big jam nuts. If you need a particular clearance, check the per-size thickness on the listing before you buy.
Capri Tools Super-Thin Open End Wrench Set, Metric, 6 to 19 mm, 7-Piece 11850-7MRK
by Capri Tools
2. Capri Tools CP11850-14MST 14-Piece Set: Best SAE + Metric
Who it's for: mechanics and cyclists who meet thin-clearance fasteners in both systems.
This set trades the largest metric sizes for SAE coverage. You get 10 metric wrenches (6x7, 8x9, 10x11, 12x13, 14x15, 16x17, 18x19, 20x22, 21x23 and 22x24 mm) and four SAE wrenches (1/4"x5/16", 3/8"x7/16", 1/2"x9/16" and 5/8"x3/4"). Capri lists the thickness at 0.09 to 0.22 inches, and calls it the largest thin wrench set it offers.
Construction matches the metric set: forged chrome vanadium, 10-step heat treatment, MaxChrome plating and 15° heads. The mechanic's tray is sized to fit standard 2-inch drawers, and Capri lists a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- SAE and metric in one tray
- Tray fits standard 2-inch drawers
- Thin 0.09" to 0.22" heads
Cons
- Only four SAE wrenches
- No metric sizes above 24 mm
Capri Tools Super Thin 14-Piece Wrench Set with Mechanic's Tray CP11850-14MST
by Capri Tools
3. Capri Tools CP11800-6MPK Double Box End Set: Best Thin Box-End
Who it's for: anyone who needs more grip than an open end in a slim, long wrench.
A box end wraps around the fastener, so it's much less likely to slip than an open end. Capri's super thin double box end set has six extra-long wrenches: 8x9, 10x11, 12x13, 14x15, 16x18 and 17x19 mm, with 12-point WaveDrive box ends and a 0° offset. The flat profile helps the wrench slide in parallel to a surface.
Capri's page gives a size table with two thickness-type values per wrench but doesn't label them clearly, and it lists two different weights, so we can't quote an exact thickness. It's chrome finished, stored in a heavy-duty canvas pouch, not impact rated, with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Box-end grip in a slim profile
- Extra-long for reach and leverage
- 8 to 19 mm in six wrenches
Cons
- Thickness figures not clearly labeled by Capri
- Box end can't go over a line or a nut on a long stud
Capri Tools Double Box End Wrench Set, Metric, 8-19 mm CP11800-6MPK
by Capri Tools
4. GearWrench 85206 14-Piece Stubby Ratcheting Set: Best Stubby Ratcheting
Who it's for: anyone working in cramped spots where a full-length wrench can't swing.
The 85206 combines a short beam with what GearWrench describes as a thin head and beam for confined areas. The ratcheting box ends have 72 teeth, needing about 5° to move a fastener, versus about 30° for a standard combination wrench. The open end has a 15° offset; the box end is flat.
Sizes are SAE 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8", 11/16" and 3/4", and metric 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18 mm. That metric list skips 16 and 17 mm, so check it against your car. It comes on a compression rack, weighs 3.74 lb, and carries a full lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Thin head and beam, per GearWrench
- Stubby length for tight spots
- SAE and metric in one set
Cons
- Metric skips 16 and 17 mm
- Not as thin as a dedicated super thin open-end
GEARWRENCH 14 Piece 72-Tooth 12 Point Stubby Ratcheting SAE/Metric Combination Wrench Set 85206
by GEARWRENCH
5. GearWrench 9533N 8-Piece Reversible Set: Best Thin-Head Ratcheting SAE
Who it's for: SAE users who want ratcheting speed and a thin head without flipping the wrench.
The 9533N covers 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8", 11/16" and 3/4", with 72-tooth ratcheting box ends that need as little as 5° of swing. A flush-mounted reversing lever lets you change direction without taking the wrench off the fastener, which matters in spaces where you can't flip it over.
GearWrench says the thin head and beam give greater access in confined areas. The set comes with a wrench rack, weighs 2.71 lb, and has a full lifetime warranty. For metric, GearWrench's reversible ratcheting sets are covered in our ratcheting wrench set guide.
Pros
- Reversible without removing the wrench
- Thin head and beam
- 5/16" to 3/4" with no gaps
Cons
- SAE only
- Ratchet mechanism makes the head thicker than a super thin open end
GEARWRENCH 8 Piece 72-Tooth 12 Point Reversible Ratcheting Combination SAE Wrench Set 9533N
by GEARWRENCH
Thin Wrench Set Buying Guide
What Problem Are You Solving?
If the wrench head won't fit between two parts, you need a thin wrench. If it fits but there's no room to swing, a ratcheting wrench is the better fix. Many tight jobs involve both, which is why owning a super thin open-end set and a ratcheting set covers the most ground. For everyday wrench work, start with a standard wrench set.
Open-End, Box-End or Ratcheting
- Super thin open-end: the thinnest option, ideal for jam nuts and adjusters. Grips only two flats, so it's easier to slip.
- Thin box-end: more grip, still slim. Can't slip over a line or stud.
- Thin-head ratcheting: fastest in tight swing room, but the ratchet mechanism adds thickness.
Thickness
Capri publishes thickness ranges for its super thin open-end sets: 0.09 to 0.27 inches for the 13-piece metric and 0.09 to 0.22 inches for the 14-piece. GearWrench describes its ratcheting wrenches as having thin heads and beams but doesn't publish thickness on these pages. If you're working to a known clearance, measure the gap and compare with published figures where available.
Sizes
For metric vehicles, 8 to 19 mm covers most tight-clearance jobs on brakes, steering and brackets. Larger sizes like 24 to 32 mm help on hub, headset and plumbing jam nuts. Our socket size chart lists SAE and metric equivalents.
Head Angle
A 15° head angle lets you flip an open-end wrench after each short swing and re-engage at a new angle. A 0° (flat) box end slides in parallel to a surface, which helps under flat panels.
Not for Line Fittings
A thin open-end wrench isn't a substitute for a line wrench. On brake and fuel line nuts, use a flare nut wrench set that wraps around more of the fitting. An adjustable wrench is also a poor choice for tight-clearance work, because its head is thick.
Common Thin-Wrench Jobs
| Job | Why a thin wrench helps |
|---|---|
| Tie-rod and steering adjuster jam nuts | Two nuts sit tight together; a standard head won't fit between them |
| Brake caliper guide pins | Some pins need a thin wrench to hold the slide while you turn the bolt |
| Bicycle hub cones and headsets | Cone flats are very narrow |
| Valve lash adjusters | The traditional tappet wrench job |
| Plumbing and appliance jam nuts | Lock nuts in confined spaces |
These are typical examples; check your service manual for the exact procedure and sizes.
Holding vs Turning
Many thin-wrench jobs are about holding one nut while you turn another. For that, an open-end thin wrench is ideal: it slips onto the backing nut, and the other wrench or a socket does the turning. Use a box-end or socket for the side that needs torque whenever space allows.
Storage
Thin wrenches are easy to bend if they're tossed in a drawer under heavier tools. Capri's mechanic's trays keep each wrench in a labeled slot, and the 14-piece tray is sized for standard 2-inch drawers. GearWrench's racks keep ratcheting sets in size order. Whatever you use, store thin wrenches flat and on top.
Use the Right Amount of Force
Thin wrenches have less material by design. Use them to hold, reach and turn moderate-torque fasteners. For breaking loose a seized nut, a full-thickness wrench or socket is the safer tool when it fits.
How We Chose
We compared current thin and slim wrench sets from Capri Tools and GearWrench using each manufacturer's published specs: wrench type, every size, published thickness, head angle, tooth count for ratcheting wrenches, material, storage and listed warranty. We noted where specs are inconsistent or unlabeled on manufacturer pages. We also considered recurring owner and mechanic feedback on thin wrenches, such as bending under high torque. We did not test these wrenches ourselves.
FAQ
What is a thin wrench used for?
Fasteners with very little clearance: jam nuts and lock nuts, brake caliper guide pins, bicycle hubs and cones, tie-rod and steering adjusters, and any nut where a standard wrench head is too thick to fit between the fastener and a neighboring part.
How thin is a super thin wrench?
Capri lists its Super Thin open-end wrenches at 0.09 to 0.27 inches thick across the 13-piece metric set, depending on size. Standard combination wrenches are usually much thicker at the head.
Are thin wrenches weaker than regular wrenches?
They have less material, so they're not meant for breaking loose heavily torqued or seized fasteners. Use a thin wrench to hold a jam nut or reach a tight spot, and use a full-size wrench or socket for high torque when you can.
Is a slim wrench set the same as a tappet wrench set?
Close. Tappet wrenches are thin open-end wrenches originally made for adjusting valve tappets. Today, super thin and slim open-end wrench sets fill the same role, and many people use the names interchangeably.
Do I need a thin wrench set if I have ratcheting wrenches?
They solve different problems. Ratcheting wrenches save time when swing room is limited. Thin wrenches fit where the head itself is too thick, such as between two nuts. Many mechanics keep both.
Verdict
The Capri Tools CP11850-13MT is the best thin wrench set for most garages: 26 metric sizes from 6 to 32 mm in heads 0.09 to 0.27 inches thick, in a labeled tray. Choose the 14-piece CP11850-14MST if you also need SAE, and add a thin-head ratcheting set like the GearWrench 85206 when swing room, not head thickness, is the problem.