In American English, spanner refers to a specialized wrench with a series of pins or tabs around the circumference. The most common shapes are called open-end wrench and box-end wrench. In North American English, wrench is the standard term. tap wrench and pipe wrench), or may be used for a monkey wrench-an adjustable pipe wrench. The term wrench is generally used for tools that turn non-fastening devices (e.g. The most common shapes are called open-ended spanner and ring spanner. In the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand spanner is the standard term. These are commonly known as “combination” spanners.Ī wrench or spanner is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects-usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts-or keep them from turning. For other uses, see Wrench (disambiguation) and Spanner (disambiguation).Ī set of metric spanners or wrenches, open at one end and box/ring at the other.