This standard specifies requirements for M 2,5 to M 30 bolts and screws (‘bolts’, for short) with various head styles and a diameter of the unthreaded portion of the shank smaller than the minor diameter. Although such bolts have a reduced shank, they are not waisted shank bolts.

In addition to the head styles adopted from existing DIN Standards (cf. table 2), this standard specifies two bolt types with different thread lengths, namely type K (with short thread) and type L (with long thread), each serving a different purpose. Type K is mainly intended for use in cases where the bolt is to be screwed into a threaded hole of a component (e.g. for fastening a cover or lid to a housing), while type L is designed for bolt/(hexagon) nut assemblies.

Bolts may be designed as captive fasteners, a snap ring being used, where required (cf. clause 5), as a safeguard to prevent the screw from working loose.

See DIN 962 (or the standards referred to therein) for special bolt types or finishes.