Nails, screws, and bolts are categorized as what type of hardware?

Nails, screws, and bolts are categorized as fasteners because they are specifically designed to join materials together securely. Fasteners like these create a mechanical hold between objects, which is essential in construction, woodworking, and various repair applications. They come in different sizes and shapes, each serving a particular purpose, such as providing strength, stability, or ease of removal.

While tools refer to instruments used for making things or performing tasks, joint connectors usually imply devices used to connect elements in a specific manner, such as brackets or plates. Anchors are devices used to secure structures to a base material, often used in masonry or concrete. Fasteners, however, directly serve the purpose of holding objects together, making them the correct category for nails, screws, and bolts.