Quick answer: what replaces DIN 966?
DIN 966:1990-08 is withdrawn. Its current successor is DIN EN ISO 7047:2011-12, based on ISO 7047:2011. ISO 7047 remains current and was confirmed in 2026.
DIN 966 and ISO 7047 cover the same basic product family: metric machine screws with a raised countersunk head and Type H or Type Z cross recess. They are corresponding standards, but not guaranteed dimension-for-dimension replacements. Check the head, recess, thread length, material and mechanical requirements before approving a legacy conversion.
DIN 966 cross-reference at a glance
| Standard | Product or scope | Replacement guidance |
|---|---|---|
| DIN 966:1990-08 | Cross-recessed raised countersunk head screws | Withdrawn legacy DIN reference |
| ISO 7047:2011 | Raised countersunk head screws, H or Z recess, M1.6–M10, product grade A | Current international successor family |
| DIN EN ISO 7047:2011-12 | German adoption of ISO 7047:2011 | Preferred current German reference |
| UNI 7689 | Cross-recessed raised countersunk head screws | Corresponding Italian family; verify edition and dimensions |
The table identifies the correct standard family. It does not prove that every catalogued item or historical edition is fully interchangeable.
Raised countersunk head, not flat countersunk
The DIN 966 / ISO 7047 head combines a countersunk seating portion with a rounded raised profile above the seating surface. This visible raised portion distinguishes it from the flat countersunk DIN 965 / ISO 7046 form.
| Head family | Legacy DIN | Current ISO | Installed appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat countersunk | DIN 965 | ISO 7046 | Intended to finish substantially flush |
| Raised countersunk | DIN 966 | ISO 7047 | Rounded portion remains above the seating surface |
The difference is not merely decorative. Head diameter, head height and the raised envelope affect seating, surrounding clearance and appearance. DIN 965 is therefore not a default replacement for DIN 966.
View the DIN 966 drawing and dimensions, or compare the DIN 965 / ISO 7046 flat-countersunk standard.
Current ISO scope
ISO 7047:2011 specifies raised countersunk head screws of the common head style with Type H or Type Z cross recess, metric threads from M1.6 through M10 and product grade A. The earlier ISO 7047:1994 edition is withdrawn.
Product grade A is a dimensional quality designation, not a steel strength class. The standard number alone must not be interpreted as automatically meaning steel 4.8, 5.8 or 8.8, A2 stainless or A4 stainless. State the material and mechanical-property designation separately.
Metric size and pitch may align closely with a legacy DIN callout, but the current ISO scope does not prove that every DIN-era material option, length or geometry remains unchanged.
Head dimensions and thread length can differ
Published DIN-to-ISO replacement information identifies changes in head diameter, head height, thread length and cross-recess penetration. These differences matter when the raised head fits a defined seating area, adjacent clearance is limited, the appearance is controlled or a fixed automated driver is used.
The domed profile also makes informal physical length measurement easy to misinterpret. Use the nominal-length datum and limits shown in the applicable DIN or ISO drawing; do not create a replacement rule from an overall caliper measurement alone.
| Feature | Replacement risk |
|---|---|
| Head diameter | May change seating coverage and surrounding clearance |
| Head height and raised profile | May change the visible projection and assembly envelope |
| Countersunk seating geometry | Must suit the mating countersink |
| Cross-recess penetration | Affects bit engagement and remaining head material |
| Nominal and threaded lengths | Affect installed depth and usable thread engagement |
For a legacy spare part, compare the controlled drawing dimensions rather than relying on a supplier’s combined DIN 966 / ISO 7047 label.
Type H and Type Z recesses are different
ISO 7047 supports two named cross-recess forms:
- Type H: Phillips-style recess
- Type Z: Pozidriv-style recess
They can look similar but require matching driver bits. Using an H-style bit in a Z recess, or a Z-style bit in an H recess, reduces contact, increases cam-out and can damage the screw head. Confirm the recess type and size when replacing installed screws, fixed tooling or automated assembly stock.
A generic description such as “cross-head oval screw” does not establish the recess type, dimensional standard, material or thread length.
What must match before substitution?
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Thread diameter, pitch and tolerance | Determine assembly with the tapped hole or nut |
| Nominal length and thread length | Control installed depth and engagement |
| Raised countersunk head diameter and height | Determine seating, projection and clearance |
| Countersunk seating profile | Must match the prepared seat |
| H or Z recess, size and penetration | Determine tool compatibility and torque transfer |
| Material and mechanical designation | Determine strength, ductility and corrosion performance |
| Coating and lubrication | Affect corrosion, fit, friction and installation torque |
| Standard edition | Defines dimensional and acceptance requirements |
An M6 × 30 DIN 966 callout is not enough to approve an ISO 7047 replacement where head envelope, engagement or tooling is critical.
UNI 7689 and direct interchangeability
UNI 7689 belongs to the corresponding Italian raised-countersunk cross-recessed screw family. Keep it as a national cross-reference, but do not convert a supplier’s “compatible” label into proof that every dimension, material option and edition is identical.
DIN 966 → ISO 7047 is the correct successor path, yet direct replacement still requires dimensional verification. Be especially careful with precision seating, restricted clearance, automated driving, legacy property-class callouts and applications with a defined minimum thread engagement.
Material, locking and operating conditions
DIN 966 and ISO 7047 do not establish one universal material or strength class for every supplied screw. Specify carbon/alloy steel requirements or the exact stainless or non-ferrous designation separately. Do not silently replace a legacy 5.8 or 8.8 requirement with an unspecified ISO 7047 product.
The screw has no built-in prevailing-torque or anti-vibration feature. Retention comes from the designed threaded joint and any separately specified locking method. There is also no universal operating-temperature rating; capability depends on material, mechanical properties, coating, lubricant, mating components, load and environment.
Selection and purchase checklist
For a controlled replacement or purchase order, specify:
- ISO 7047:2011 or DIN EN ISO 7047:2011-12
- Raised countersunk head, not the flat DIN 965 / ISO 7046 form
- Thread diameter, pitch, tolerance, nominal length and required thread length
- Head diameter, head height, seating profile and permitted projection
- Type H or Type Z recess and recess size
- Exact material and mechanical-property designation
- Coating, lubrication and inspection requirements
- Approval for dimensional changes from the legacy DIN 966 drawing
For a precision seat or automated assembly, compare the actual DIN and ISO tables before approval. Use the correct undamaged driver bit with full engagement and do not treat visual similarity as proof of interchangeability.