Phillips and Pozidriv are the two most confused screwdriver types. They look similar - both have a cross-shaped recess - but they are engineered differently, and using the wrong one damages both the screw and the driver. This matters more than most people realise.
How to Tell Them Apart
The fastest way to identify which screw you are looking at:
- Phillips screws have a simple cross (+) with rounded corners in the recess
- Pozidriv screws have a cross plus four tick marks (small lines) at 45° between the main cross arms
- The tick marks on Pozidriv are visible to the naked eye - look for the "star within a star" pattern
- On the driver side: Pozidriv tips have additional ribs between the main blades
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Phillips (PH) | Pozidriv (PZ) |
|---|---|---|
| Recess shape | Simple cross (+) | Cross + 4 tick marks at 45° |
| Cam-out | Designed to cam out under excess torque | Resists cam-out - designed for full torque transfer |
| Contact area | Four contact surfaces | Eight contact surfaces (main cross + ribs) |
| Max torque transfer | Lower - driver lifts out | Higher - up to 50% more than Phillips |
| Sizes | PH000 – PH4 | PZ0 – PZ4 |
| Inventor | Henry F. Phillips (1930s) | GKN (Phillips Screw Company licence, 1960s) |
| Standard region | North America, Asia | Europe (especially UK, Germany, Scandinavia) |
| Common in | General construction, electronics, automotive | European cabinetry, drywall, IKEA furniture |
| Power tool use | Acceptable (cam-out limits torque) | Preferred - better grip at high RPM |
What Happens When You Cross-Use Them
Using a Phillips driver on a Pozidriv screw is the most common cross-use mistake. The Phillips tip sits slightly proud in the Pozidriv recess - it does not engage the additional ribs. Under torque, the driver cams out aggressively, rounding the screw recess and chewing up the driver tip. The reverse is less destructive but still causes poor engagement and cam-out.
If you are assembling IKEA furniture and stripping every screw, check the screw heads for tick marks. IKEA predominantly uses Pozidriv (PZ2) screws, not Phillips. Grab a Pozidriv driver and the problem disappears.
Which Should You Own?
If you live and work in North America, Phillips covers the vast majority of cross-head screws you will encounter. If you work with European products, cabinetry, or import furniture, you need both. A PZ2 Pozidriv driver is the single most useful addition - it handles IKEA assembly, European drywall screws, and most Pozidriv-fastened cabinetry hardware.
Professional electricians and cabinetmakers in Europe carry Pozidriv as their primary cross-head driver and rarely use Phillips at all. In North America, the reverse is true. Neither is "better" - they are designed for different engagement philosophies.
Related Guides
Phillips Screwdriver: Sizes, Uses & How to Choose the Right One
PH0 to PH4 sizes explained - which Phillips head screwdriver to use and when.
Pozidriv Screwdriver: The Phillips Alternative That Doesn't Cam Out
Pozidriv screwdrivers solve Phillips cam-out. How to identify PZ screws, sizes PZ0–PZ4, and why mixing them up damages both.
Types of Screwdrivers: The Complete Guide
From Phillips to Torx, flat head to hex - every screwdriver type explained with sizes, uses, and selection tips.