It’s all about the threads! Spacers and standoffs are similar in that both create a fixed gap between two surfaces, but they differ mainly in threading and purpose. A standoff both spaces and fastens (because of its threads), while a spacer just spaces — it relies on an external screw or bolt for any actual fastening.
The Standoff
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Usually threaded (male, female, or both — male-female, male-male, female-female)
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Designed to mount and secure a component (like a circuit board) while holding it at a set height
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Screws thread directly into the standoff, so it acts as both a spacer and a fastening point
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Common types: male-female, female-female, swage standoffs (pressed permanently into a panel)
The Spacer
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Usually unthreaded — just a hollow tube or sleeve
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Designed purely to maintain distance between two surfaces or components
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A separate screw or bolt passes through the spacer, but the spacer itself doesn't grip the threads — it just rides along the fastener as a sleeve
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Simpler and often cheaper than a standoff since it has no threading to machine
Types of Spacers
Unthreaded spacers come in a range of types depending on how they're installed, what shape they take, and what material they're made from.
Installation/mounting method
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Standard (through-hole) spacers – simple hollow sleeves that a screw passes through; not fixed to anything on their own
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Swage spacers – pressed permanently into a panel or PCB, becoming a fixed mounting point
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Snap-in spacers – have a flexible tab or leg that snaps into a hole and locks with light pressure, no tools or swaging needed
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Adhesive-backed spacers – stick directly to a surface, often used where drilling isn't practical
Shape
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Round spacers – the most common, cylindrical tube shape
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Hex spacers – hexagonal outer shape, often used when you need a flat surface for a wrench or a non-rotating fit
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Square spacers – less common, used for specific mounting geometries
Length/height design
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Fixed-height spacers – one set length
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Adjustable/threaded spacers – some spacer-standoff hybrids allow slight height adjustment via threading
Material
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Metal spacers – brass, aluminum, steel, stainless steel; chosen for strength, conductivity, or corrosion resistance
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Nylon/plastic spacers – used when electrical insulation is needed, or for lighter-duty, lower-cost applications
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Ceramic spacers – used in high-heat or high-voltage applications where both plastic and metal are unsuitable
Types of Standoffs
Threaded standoffs come in several varieties, mainly differentiated by their threading configuration, shape, and installation method:
Threading configuration
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Male-Female standoffs – threaded stud (male) on one end, threaded hole (female) on the other; lets you stack a screw on one side and a board mount on the other
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Female-Female standoffs – threaded holes on both ends; a screw goes in from each side
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Male-Male standoffs – threaded studs on both ends; screws into holes on both mating surfaces
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Female standoffs – simple design, threaded hole on one or both ends without a protruding stud
Shape
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Round standoffs – standard cylindrical shape, most common
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Hex standoffs – hexagonal body, gives a flat surface to grip with a wrench for tightening, and resists rotation once installed (useful when threading a screw in from just one side)
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Square standoffs – used for specific mounting geometries, less common
Installation method
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Swage standoffs – pressed permanently into a panel, becoming a fixed, non-removable mounting point (same permanence concept as a swage spacer)
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Press-fit / snap-in standoffs – install with pressure or a locking tab, no separate fastener needed to hold the standoff itself
Specialty types
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PCB standoffs – sized and threaded specifically for mounting circuit boards inside enclosures
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Precision shoulder standoffs – have a precisely machined shoulder for tight tolerance alignment, sometimes overlapping with "shoulder screw" designs
Materials
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Metal (brass, aluminum, steel, stainless steel) – strength, durability, sometimes used for grounding/conductivity
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Nylon/plastic – used when electrical insulation between the board and chassis is required
Why FASCOMP Spacers and Standoffs?
Fascomp is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic hardware (standoffs, spacers, panel screws, thumb screws, handles, and similar precision fasteners) used to mount and protect components in electronic assemblies.
Industries & Applications
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Telecommunications – control boxes, network equipment
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Aerospace – interior components
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Automotive – electronic control units
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Medical equipment – device housings and control assemblies
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Consumer electronics – mobile devices, TVs, circuit boards
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Lighting systems – control boxes
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Industrial/electromechanical controls – control boxes
Fascomp electronic spacers and standoffs are built specifically for mounting and protecting circuit boards and electronic controls. Advance Components is an authorized distributor of a variety of Fascomp electronic fasteners. Advance distributes to other distributors and manufacturers in a variety of industries for use in telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, medical equipment, lighting systems, and anything with a control box.
For more information about Fascomp products, contact Advance for custom quotes, bagging and shipping, or buy online 24/7.