Best Adjustable Wrench by Job: Pocket, Thin Jaw, Wide Opening and Long Workshop Wrenches

October 28, 2026

Quick answer: choose an adjustable wrench by the largest nut it must fit, then by the space around it

Pocket or toolbag: a 110 mm compact wrench such as the ENGINEER TWM-06 (opens to 20 mm, listed for M12 and smaller) or TWM-08 (opens to 24 mm, M16 and smaller).
Home use: about 150–200 mm (BobVila suggests 6 to 8 inches for home use), such as the FUJIYA FLA-28-BG (opens to 28 mm, 114 g).
Tight spaces and thin nuts: a thin-jaw model such as the FUJIYA FLT-34-BG (jaw tip 3.5 mm) or ENGINEER TWM-07 (tip 2 mm).
Big nuts, short handle: a wide-opening short wrench such as the KTC WMS-46 (188 mm, opens 12–46 mm, made in Japan) or FUJIYA FLS-53G-F (opens to 53 mm).
More leverage: a 250–300 mm wrench such as the KTC WMA-250 or WMA-300 (made in Japan). Longer wrenches give more torque (BobVila).
Rule for all of them: pull, do not push, and turn toward the fixed jaw (NC State University, from CCOHS).

An adjustable wrench fits different nut and bolt sizes by turning a screw that moves one jaw (BobVila). In the US and Canada it is also called a "Crescent wrench", and in the UK an adjustable spanner (Wikipedia). Japanese makers often use the name "monkey", as in FUJIYA "Light Monkey" and ENGINEER "Monkey@Pocket" below. The size people quote is normally the overall length (BobVila), but the number that decides whether it fits your nut is the maximum jaw opening. This guide sorts adjustable wrenches by job and compares 16 models from Japanese brands, using the specifications on their product pages. "Not confirmed" means the page does not state the value.

Pocket sizeENGINEER TWM-06

110 mm, opens to 20 mm, 85 g. ENGINEER lists it for M12 and smaller.

View TWM-06

Everyday carryFUJIYA FLA-28-BG

155 mm, opens to 28 mm, 114 g, with a scale.

View FLA-28-BG

Thin jawFUJIYA FLT-34-BG

Jaw tip 3.5 mm thick, opens to 34 mm, 166 mm, with grip.

View FLT-34-BG

Wide opening, shortKTC WMS-46

188 mm but opens 12–46 mm. Made in Japan.

View WMS-46

Workshop sizeKTC WMA-250

250 mm, opens to 36 mm, alloy tool steel. Made in Japan.

View WMA-250

Nuts and pipesENGINEER TWM-13

Adjustable wrench to 38.5 mm and pipe wrench to 45 mm in one tool.

View TWM-13

Why look at Japanese adjustable wrenches?

We sell Japanese tools, so this guide covers Japanese brands only (FUJIYA, ENGINEER and KTC). Here is what their product pages show, rather than general claims about quality:

Jaw tip thickness stated in millimetres. Many pages list how thick the jaw tip is, for example 2 mm on the ENGINEER TWM-07 and 3.5 mm on the FUJIYA FLT-34-BG. That tells you whether the jaw will fit a thin lock nut or a narrow gap.
Suitable bolt size stated. ENGINEER lists the bolt or nut size each model is meant for, for example M12 and smaller for the TWM-06.
Short wrenches that open wide. FUJIYA and KTC sell short models that open much wider than their length suggests, for example the KTC WMS-46: 188 mm long, opens to 46 mm.
Country of origin stated on each page. Of the 16 models here, the three KTC WMA-250, WMA-300 and WMS-46 list Japan. The FUJIYA and ENGINEER models list Taiwan.

What we do not claim: that these wrenches are stronger or hold their setting better than American or European ones. We have not found a test that compares them, so judge each model by its stated specifications.

The 4 things that decide which adjustable wrench you need

1. Maximum jaw opening

Each adjustable wrench has a range of fastener sizes it fits (BobVila). Check the largest nut or bolt head you work on, and choose a wrench whose maximum opening is larger. ENGINEER makes this easier by stating a suitable bolt size on each page.

2. Overall length

A wrench's quoted size generally refers to its overall length (BobVila). A longer wrench gives more torque; BobVila suggests 8 to 10 inches (about 200–250 mm) for a general-purpose wrench. A shorter wrench fits tighter spaces and is easier to carry.

3. Jaw tip thickness

A thin jaw slides onto thin lock nuts and into narrow gaps between parts. Check the stated "tip thickness" on each product page rather than assuming from the wrench's size.

4. Extras

Markings or scale (listed on several FUJIYA models) help you read the opening.
Smooth jaws: the FUJIYA FTS-28-BG is listed with a smooth jaw opening.
Grip: some models are listed with a grip (FUJIYA FLT-34-BG, FLT-38-BG, FTS-28-BG, ENGINEER TWM-13).
Special functions: a ratchet wrench function (FUJIYA FGL-38-BG) or a pipe wrench mode (ENGINEER TWM-13).

The 16 adjustable wrenches compared

Specs are copied from each product page. The Job column is our recommendation.

ENGINEER TWM-06 Monkey@Pocket 100mm - Adjustable Wrenches

ENGINEER TWM-08 Monkey@Pocket 100mm - Adjustable Wrenches

Model	Job	Length (OAL)	Max opening	Jaw tip thickness	Notes (as stated)	Weight	Made in
ENGINEER TWM-06	Pocket	110 mm	20 mm	Not confirmed	M12 and smaller	85 g	Taiwan
ENGINEER TWM-08	Pocket	110 mm	24 mm	Not confirmed	M16 and smaller	85 g	Taiwan
FUJIYA FLS-28G-F	Short, light	118 mm	28 mm	Not confirmed	Markings, chrome plated	103 g	Taiwan
FUJIYA FTS-28-BG	Short, smooth jaws	118.5 mm	28 mm	4.5 mm	Smooth jaw, grip	99 g	Taiwan
FUJIYA FLA-28-BG	Everyday	155 mm	28 mm	Not confirmed	Scale, parkerized	114 g	Taiwan
ENGINEER TWM-07	Thin tip	164 mm	24 mm	2 mm	M16 and smaller	120 g	Taiwan
FUJIYA FLT-34-BG	Thin jaw	166 mm	34 mm	3.5 mm	Grip	154 g	Taiwan
FUJIYA FLT-38-BG	Thin jaw, larger	214 mm	38 mm	4.0 mm	Grip	284 g	Taiwan
FUJIYA FLS-43G-F	Wide opening, short	156 mm	43 mm	Not confirmed	Measuring marks	235 g	Taiwan
FUJIYA FLS-53G-F	Widest opening, short	185 mm	53 mm	Not confirmed	Measuring marks	398 g	Taiwan
KTC WMS-46	Wide opening, short	188 mm	12–46 mm	7.5 mm	Short type	460 g	Japan
KTC WMA-250	Workshop	250 mm	36 mm	7.2 mm	Alloy tool steel	315 g	Japan
KTC WMA-300	Heavy work	300 mm	46 mm	7.9 mm	Alloy tool steel	580 g	Japan
ENGINEER TWM-05	Heavy work	260 mm	30 mm	Not confirmed	M20 and smaller	410 g	Taiwan
FUJIYA FGL-38-BG	Ratchet function	220 mm	38 mm	6 mm	Ratchet wrench function	280 g	Taiwan
ENGINEER TWM-13	Nuts and pipes	222 mm	38.5 mm (pipe 45 mm)	Not confirmed	M24; pipe φ6–45 mm	290 g	Taiwan

For the ENGINEER TWM-06, TWM-08 and TWM-05, the thickness figure on our product pages does not match ENGINEER's description of the tip (for example, ENGINEER describes the TWM-06 tip as fitting a gap of about 2 mm), so we show Not confirmed until we have checked it. FUJIYA warns on several of these pages: never use on electrically live objects, because of the risk of electric shock. None of the 16 is marked as insulated.

Best adjustable wrench by job

Pocket or toolbag

ENGINEER TWM-06: 110 mm, opens to 20 mm, 85 g. ENGINEER lists it for M12 and smaller.
ENGINEER TWM-08: the same 110 mm length and weight, but opens to 24 mm (M16 and smaller).
FUJIYA FLS-28G-F: 118 mm and opens to 28 mm, wider than the two above. Chrome plated, with markings.

Home use and everyday carry

For home use, BobVila suggests 6 to 8 inches (about 150–200 mm); for one do-it-all wrench, 8 to 10 inches (about 200–250 mm).

FUJIYA FLS-28G-F Light Short Monkey - Adjustable Wrenches

FUJIYA FLA-28-BG Light Monkey (Black & Gold) - Adjustable Wrenches

FUJIYA FLA-28-BG: 155 mm, opens to 28 mm, 114 g, with a scale.
ENGINEER TWM-07: 164 mm, opens to 24 mm, and the page lists a 2 mm jaw tip, the thinnest in this guide.

Tight spaces and thin nuts

FUJIYA FLT-34-BG: jaw tip 3.5 mm, opens to 34 mm, 166 mm, with a grip.
FUJIYA FLT-38-BG: the larger version, jaw tip 4.0 mm, opens to 38 mm, 214 mm.
FUJIYA FTS-28-BG: a short (118.5 mm) wrench with smooth jaws and a 4.5 mm tip.

Big nuts with a short handle

Plumbing fittings and large nuts in cramped spaces need a wide opening without a long handle.

KTC WMS-46: 188 mm long, opens 12–46 mm, made in Japan.
FUJIYA FLS-43G-F: 156 mm, opens to 43 mm, 235 g.
FUJIYA FLS-53G-F: 185 mm, opens to 53 mm, the widest opening in this guide.

More leverage for heavy work

KTC WMA-250: 250 mm, opens to 36 mm, alloy tool steel, made in Japan.
KTC WMA-300: 300 mm, opens to 46 mm, 580 g, made in Japan.
ENGINEER TWM-05: 260 mm, opens to 30 mm, listed for M20 and smaller.

Special functions

FUJIYA FGL-38-BG: an adjustable wrench with a ratchet wrench function, 220 mm, opens to 38 mm.
ENGINEER TWM-13: works as an adjustable wrench (to 38.5 mm, M24) and a pipe wrench (pipes φ6–45 mm). Also sold in pink as the TWM-13P.

How to use an adjustable wrench

Close the jaws snugly on the nut. Do not pull on an adjustable wrench that is loosely adjusted, and make sure the jaw does not slide open during use (NC State University, from CCOHS).
Turn toward the fixed jaw. The direction of the turn should be toward the permanent (fixed) jaw (NC State University, from CCOHS).
Pull, do not push. Pull with a slow, steady motion (NC State University, from CCOHS). Pulling toward you also reduces the chance of slipping and hitting your knuckles (BobVila).
Do not add a pipe or strike the wrench. Do not lengthen the handle with a pipe, and do not hit the wrench with a hammer (NC State University, from CCOHS). If you need more force, choose a longer wrench.

FAQ

Is an adjustable wrench the same as a monkey wrench?

Japanese makers often call an adjustable wrench a "monkey", as in the product names in this guide. In English, "monkey wrench" also names an older type of adjustable wrench with a long history (Wikipedia). The wrenches in this guide are the modern adjustable type.

What size adjustable wrench should I buy first?

BobVila suggests 6 to 8 inches (about 150–200 mm) for home use and 8 to 10 inches (about 200–250 mm) for one general-purpose wrench, for example the FUJIYA FLA-28-BG (155 mm) or KTC WMA-250 (250 mm). Check that the maximum opening fits your largest nut.

Does a longer adjustable wrench open wider?

Not always. The KTC WMS-46 is 188 mm long and opens to 46 mm, while the ENGINEER TWM-05 is 260 mm and opens to 30 mm. Check the maximum opening, not just the length.

Where are these wrenches made?

The KTC WMA-250, WMA-300 and WMS-46 list Japan. The FUJIYA and ENGINEER models in this guide list Taiwan.

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