Ring shank nails, sometimes called deformed shank nails, are nails with ridges or grooves along the shank, the part of the nail which penetrates the wood. These nails have a much better holding power than nails with a smooth shank, because the rings act as wedges to keep the nail firmly in place so that it cannot pop out. For this reason, ring shank nails are commonly used in construction, especially for roofing, and they are readily available at most hardware stores, in the form of boxed loose nails and strips for use with nail guns. Some stores also sell ring shank nails in bulk bins so that customers can purchase just a few at a time.

The design of a ring shank nail looks a lot like that of a screw, except that the head is flat. The pattern of ridges along the shank of the nail can vary, depending on the manufacturer and the intended use of the nail. Some brands have very shallow rings which provide a small amount of extra grip, while others have much larger ridges. Some have spiraling grooves, while others have a neat set of ridged rings.

Like other nails, ring shank nails are not designed for optimal removal. They are used for permanent construction. The shanks make these nails even less easy to remove than conventional nails, and the removal of ring shank nails will leave a large and ragged hole behind. Although ring shank nails may look like screws, they are not designed to function like screws, and this is important to remember.

When working with softwoods, ring shank nails are extremely useful. Conventional nails tend to pull out easily under pressure from woods like pine, which is definitely not desirable. The deformed shanks keep the nails in position, even under intense pressure. Enough weight or pressure will eventually cause either the wood or the nails to fail, with ring shank nails providing around 40% more holding power than smooth shank nails.

It can be useful to keep a box of ring shank nails around for various home improvement projects. It is possible to find galvanized and treated nails which will resist corrosion, along with basic steel nails. Nails which have not been treated may be oiled for storage so that they do not rust, which explains why nails sometimes have a strange texture when they are taken out of the box.