Tap bolts are usually hex head bolts threaded up to the head, with a machined point and a fully threaded shank. Usually of low carbon or grade 5 steel, tap bolts are used in a drilled and tapped hole that is threaded over its full length. Tap bolts are also used instead of a stud and a nut, to be screwed into some fixed part, rather than passing through the part and receiving a nut.

Tap bolts have tolerances similar to those of hex cap screws, and essentially serve as fully-threaded hex cap screws.