JIS Cross vs. Security Torx
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
JIS B 1012 is a Japanese Industrial Standard cruciform screw drive commonly found on Japanese motorcycles (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki), cameras, and consumer electronics. Visually similar to Phillips, it features a shallower center pit and parallel 90-degree cross-wings engineered not to cam out, which easily strip when turned with standard Phillips screwdrivers.
Security Torx (Tamper-Resistant Torx / Pin-in-Torx / Torx TR) is a tamper-evident variant of the standard hexalobular drive. Featuring a hardened solid cylindrical metal post in the center of the 6-lobed recess, it prevents standard flat, hex, or standard Torx driver bits from inserting, requiring a specialized hollow-tipped security bit.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Primary Applications
|
Japanese motorcycles (engine cases, carburetors), Shimano bicycle components, Nikon/Canon cameras | Public infrastructure (restroom partitions, subway signs), video game consoles (Xbox, PlayStation controllers), consumer power tools |
|
Standard Specification
|
JIS B 1012 (Cruciform cross-recessed screws) | — |
|
Visual Identification
|
A single small raised circular dimple or dot stamped into the head face | — |
|
Flank Geometry
|
Parallel cross walls with a flat, shallow bottom recess (no cam-out slope) | — |
|
Cam-Out Tendency
|
Zero (Engineered to stay fully seated under high torque) | — |
|
Common Sizing Tiers
|
JIS #000, JIS #00, JIS #0, JIS #1, JIS #2, JIS #3 | — |
|
Drive Geometry
|
— | Standard 6-lobed Torx star with a centered solid cylindrical metal post |
|
Tool Bit Requirement
|
— | Hollow-center / Bore-hole driver bit (e.g. TR20 bit has a drilled center) |
|
Standard Sizing Tiers
|
— | T6H, T7H, T8H, T9H, T10H, T15H, T20H, T25H, T27H, T30H, T40H ('H' or 'TR' designation) |
|
Tamper Resistance Level
|
— | Medium (Deters unauthorized consumer disassembly without specialty tools) |