Latch vs. Bolt — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 3, 2024
A latch secures a door with a mechanism that engages by a lever or knob, whereas a bolt provides security by sliding into a keeper or onto a strike plate.
Difference Between Latch and Bolt
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A latch is a type of mechanical fastener that is often operated by a lever or knob and is commonly used to keep doors, gates, or windows closed. It typically does not require a key to open from at least one side, making it convenient for internal doors where locking is not essential. On the other hand, a bolt is a more secure type of fastening mechanism that usually requires a sliding action to engage and disengage. Bolts are often used in conjunction with a lock and key, providing a higher level of security and are ideal for external doors.
While latches rely on a spring mechanism to return the latch bolt into place, allowing for easy push or pull operation without the need for turning a handle, bolts, by contrast, stay in place until manually moved. This difference highlights latches as more user-friendly for quick access areas whereas bolts provide a more secure, albeit less convenient, locking mechanism.
Latches often allow for a door to be opened from either side without a key, assuming there is no additional locking mechanism engaged. This feature is particularly useful in residential interior doors or in situations where free access is frequently necessary. Conversely, bolts typically require a deliberate action to open or close, often from only one side unless a double-sided bolt is used, making them more suitable for securing areas that require controlled access.
In terms of installation, latches usually require less precise alignment than bolts, as the spring mechanism can adjust to minor misalignments. This tolerance makes latches a preferred choice for doors where perfect alignment is challenging to maintain. Bolts, however, require precise alignment with the strike plate or keeper to function correctly, which can make their installation and maintenance more demanding.
Regarding aesthetics, latches come in a variety of styles and finishes, designed to complement interior design. They can be as much a part of a room’s décor as they are functional hardware. Bolts, while available in different styles, are often more utilitarian in appearance and designed with security in mind, which may limit their decorative appeal but enhances their functionality in security-focused applications.
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Comparison Chart
Operation
Often by lever/knob, no key required
Slide action, may require key
Security
Less secure, easy access
More secure, controlled access
Mechanism
Spring mechanism allows easy push/pull
Requires manual sliding to open/close
Suitable For
Interior doors, gates
Exterior doors, gates for higher security
Installation
Tolerates minor misalignments
Requires precise alignment
Compare with Definitions
Latch
Operated by a lever or knob, making it user-friendly.
She easily opened the door by lifting the latch.
Bolt
A type of metal bar that, when slid across, secures a door, window, or gate, often requiring a key to open.
He secured the front door with a heavy-duty bolt.
Latch
A fastening device that secures a door, window, or gate, allowing it to be opened from one or both sides without a key.
The kitchen door was kept closed with a simple latch.
Bolt
Commonly used for exterior doors due to its high level of security.
For added safety, they installed a new bolt on the back door.
Latch
Often used for interior doors due to its convenience and ease of use.
We installed a latch on the bathroom door for privacy.
Bolt
Requires a deliberate sliding action, possibly with a key.
After locking the door, she slid the bolt into place.
Latch
Offers basic security and is not typically used for exterior doors.
The garden gate's latch was secure enough for keeping pets inside.
Bolt
Provides a higher level of security, ideal for preventing unauthorized entry.
The steel bolt was an essential part of the home's security system.
Latch
Available in various designs to match interior decor.
The antique brass latch added a vintage touch to the pantry door.
Bolt
Must be precisely aligned with the strike plate for proper operation.
The locksmith ensured the bolt aligned perfectly with the strike plate during installation.
Latch
A latch or catch (called sneck in Northern England and Scotland) is a type of mechanical fastener that joins two (or more) objects or surfaces while allowing for their regular separation. A latch typically engages another piece of hardware on the other mounting surface.
Bolt
A bar made of wood or metal that slides into a socket and is used to fasten doors and gates.
Latch
A fastening, as for a door or gate, typically consisting of a bar that fits into a notch or slot and is lifted from either side by a lever or string.
Bolt
A metal bar or rod in the mechanism of a lock that is thrown or withdrawn by turning the key.
Latch
A spring lock, as for a door, that is opened from the outside by a key.
Bolt
A fastener consisting of a threaded pin or rod with a head at one end, designed to be inserted through holes in assembled parts and secured by a mated nut that is tightened by applying torque.
Latch
To close or lock with a latch.
Bolt
A sliding metal bar that positions the cartridge in breechloading rifles, closes the breech, and ejects the spent cartridge.
Latch
To have or be closed with a latch.
Bolt
A similar device in any breech mechanism.
Latch
To shut tightly so that the latch is engaged
A door too warped to latch.
Bolt
A short, heavy arrow with a thick head, used especially with a crossbow.
Latch
To close or lock as if with a latch.
Bolt
A flash of lightning; a thunderbolt.
Latch
(transitive) To catch; lay hold of.
Bolt
A sudden or unexpected event
The announcement was a veritable bolt.
Latch
(obsolete) To smear; to anoint.
Bolt
A sudden movement toward or away.
Latch
A fastening for a door that has a bar that fits into a notch or slot, and is lifted by a lever or string from either side.
Bolt
A large roll of cloth of a definite length, especially as it comes from the loom.
Latch
(electronics) An electronic circuit that is like a flip-flop, except that it is level triggered instead of edge triggered.
Bolt
To secure or lock with or as if with a bolt.
Latch
(obsolete) A latching.
Bolt
To arrange or roll (lengths of cloth, for example) on or in a bolt.
Latch
(obsolete) A crossbow.
Bolt
To eat (food) hurriedly and with little chewing; gulp.
Latch
(obsolete) That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare.
Bolt
To desert or withdraw support from (a political party).
Latch
A breastfeeding baby's connection to the breast.
Bolt
To utter impulsively; blurt.
Latch
(database) A lightweight lock to protect internal structures from being modified by multiple concurrent accesses.
Bolt
(Archaic) To shoot or discharge (a missile, such as an arrow).
Latch
To smear; to anoint.
Bolt
To move or spring suddenly.
Latch
To catch so as to hold.
Those that remained threw darts at our men, and latching our darts, sent them again at us.
Bolt
To start suddenly and run away
The horse bolted at the sound of the shot. The frightened child bolted from the room.
Latch
To catch or fasten by means of a latch.
The door was only latched.
Bolt
To break away from an affiliation, as from a political party.
Latch
That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare.
Bolt
(Botany) To flower or produce seeds prematurely or develop a flowering stem from a rosette.
Latch
A movable piece which holds anything in place by entering a notch or cavity; specifically, the catch which holds a door or gate when closed, though it be not bolted.
Bolt
To pass (flour, for example) through a sieve.
Latch
A latching.
Bolt
A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut then threaded on the other end; a heavy machine screw.
Latch
A crossbow.
Bolt
A sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism.
Latch
Spring-loaded doorlock that can only be opened from the outside with a key
Bolt
A bar of wood or metal dropped in horizontal hooks on a door and adjoining wall or between the two sides of a double door, to prevent the door(s) from being forced open.
Latch
Catch for fastening a door or gate; a bar that can be lowered or slid into a groove
Bolt
A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm.
Latch
Fasten with a latch;
Latch the door
Bolt
A small personal-armour-piercing missile for short-range use, or (in common usage though deprecated by experts) a short arrow, intended to be shot from a crossbow or a catapult.
Bolt
A lightning spark, i.e., a lightning bolt.
Bolt
A sudden event, action or emotion.
The problem's solution struck him like a bolt from the blue.
Bolt
A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
Bolt
(nautical) The standard linear measurement of canvas for use at sea: 39 yards.
Bolt
A sudden spring or start; a sudden leap aside.
The horse made a bolt.
Bolt
A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
Bolt
A refusal to support a nomination made by the party with which one has been connected; a breaking away from one's party.
Bolt
An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
Bolt
A burst of speed or efficiency.
Bolt
A stalk or scape (of garlic, onion, etc).
Bolt
A sieve, especially a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter.
Bolt
To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt.
Bolt the vice to the bench.
Bolt
To secure a door by locking or barring it.
Bolt the door.
Bolt
(intransitive) To flee, to depart, to accelerate suddenly.
Seeing the snake, the horse bolted.
The actor forgot his line and bolted from the stage.
Bolt
(transitive) To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge (an animal being hunted).
To bolt a rabbit
Bolt
To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
Bolt
(intransitive) To escape.
Bolt
To produce flower stalks and flowers or seeds quickly or prematurely; to form a bolt (stalk or scape); to go to seed.
Lettuce and spinach will bolt as the weather warms up.
Bolt
To swallow food without chewing it.
Bolt
To drink one's drink very quickly; to down a drink.
Come on, everyone, bolt your drinks; I want to go to the next pub!
Bolt
To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
Bolt
To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
Bolt
To sift, especially through a cloth.
Bolt
To sift the bran and germ from wheat flour.
Graham flour is unbolted flour; in contrast, some other flours have been bolted.
Bolt
To separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
Bolt
(legal) To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.
Bolt
Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.
Bolt
A shaft or missile intended to be shot from a crossbow or catapult, esp. a short, stout, blunt-headed arrow; a quarrel; an arrow, or that which resembles an arrow; a dart.
Look that the crossbowmen lack not bolts.
A fool's bolt is soon shot.
Bolt
Lightning; a thunderbolt.
Bolt
A strong pin, of iron or other material, used to fasten or hold something in place, often having a head at one end and screw thread cut upon the other end.
Bolt
A sliding catch, or fastening, as for a door or gate; the portion of a lock which is shot or withdrawn by the action of the key.
Bolt
An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
Away with him to prison!lay bolts enough upon him.
Bolt
A compact package or roll of cloth, as of canvas or silk, often containing about forty yards.
Bolt
A bundle, as of oziers.
Bolt
A sudden spring or start; a sudden spring aside; as, the horse made a bolt.
Bolt
A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
This gentleman was so hopelessly involved that he contemplated a bolt to America - or anywhere.
Bolt
A refusal to support a nomination made by the party with which one has been connected; a breaking away from one's party.
Bolt
A sieve, esp. a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter.
Bolt
To shoot; to discharge or drive forth.
Bolt
To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments.
Bolt
To swallow without chewing; as, to bolt food; often used with down.
Bolt
To refuse to support, as a nomination made by a party to which one has belonged or by a caucus in which one has taken part.
Bolt
To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge, as conies, rabbits, etc.
Bolt
To fasten or secure with, or as with, a bolt or bolts, as a door, a timber, fetters; to shackle; to restrain.
Let tenfold iron bolt my door.
Which shackles accidents and bolts up change.
Bolt
To start forth like a bolt or arrow; to spring abruptly; to come or go suddenly; to dart; as, to bolt out of the room.
This Puck seems but a dreaming dolt, . . . And oft out of a bush doth bolt.
Bolt
To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads.
Bolt
To spring suddenly aside, or out of the regular path; as, the horse bolted.
Bolt
To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or a caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
Bolt
To sift or separate the coarser from the finer particles of, as bran from flour, by means of a bolter; to separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
He now had bolted all the flour.
Ill schooled in bolted language.
Bolt
To separate, as if by sifting or bolting; - with out.
Time and nature will bolt out the truth of things.
Bolt
To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.
This bolts the matter fairly to the bran.
The report of the committee was examined and sifted and bolted to the bran.
Bolt
In the manner of a bolt; suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
[He] came bolt up against the heavy dragoon.
Bolt
A discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
Bolt
A sliding bar in a breech-loading firearm that ejects an empty cartridge and replaces it and closes the breech
Bolt
The part of a lock that is engaged or withdrawn with a key
Bolt
The act of moving with great haste;
He made a dash for the door
Bolt
A roll of cloth or wallpaper of a definite length
Bolt
A screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener
Bolt
A sudden abandonment (as from a political party)
Bolt
Move or jump suddenly;
She bolted from her seat
Bolt
Secure or lock with a bolt;
Bolt the door
Bolt
Swallow hastily
Bolt
Run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
Bolt
Leave suddenly and as if in a hurry;
The listeners bolted when he discussed his strange ideas
When she started to tell silly stories, I ran out
Bolt
Eat hastily without proper chewing;
Don't bolt your food!
Bolt
Make or roll into bolts;
Bolt fabric
Bolt
In a rigid manner;
The body was rigidly erect
Ge sat bolt upright
Bolt
Directly;
He ran bang into the pole
Ran slap into her
Common Curiosities
How does a bolt enhance security?
A bolt provides a high level of security by requiring a sliding action to engage/disengage, often complemented by a lock and key.
What is a latch used for?
A latch is used to keep doors, gates, or windows closed, allowing easy access from one or both sides without a key.
What makes bolts more secure than latches?
Bolts are more secure because they require manual operation to open/close and can be keyed, providing controlled access.
Can bolts be decorative?
While designed more for security, bolts can also come in various styles to fit the aesthetics of the door or gate.
Are latches easy to install?
Yes, latches are generally easier to install than bolts as they can tolerate minor misalignments.
Can bolts be opened from both sides?
Some bolts are designed to be operated from both sides, but typically bolts are more restrictive than latches.
Can a latch be used on exterior doors?
While possible, latches are less secure than bolts and are typically not recommended for exterior doors.
Can a latch be locked with a key?
Some latches can be locked with a key, but traditionally, latches are designed for quick access without one.
How do you choose between a latch and a bolt?
The choice depends on the required level of security and the door's location (interior vs. exterior).
What is the main difference in operation between a latch and a bolt?
Latches typically use a lever or knob for operation, while bolts require a sliding action.
What should I consider when installing a bolt?
Precision in alignment with the strike plate and the level of security needed are key considerations.
Do latches require maintenance?
Yes, latches may require occasional maintenance, such as lubrication, to ensure smooth operation.
Are there electronic versions of latches and bolts?
Yes, there are electronic or smart versions that offer additional features such as remote access.
Is a deadbolt a type of bolt?
Yes, a deadbolt is a specific type of bolt that provides a higher level of security.
Why might someone choose a latch over a bolt?
For interior doors where convenience and ease of use are more important than high security, a latch might be preferred.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
