A sprocket, also referred to as a sprocket wheel or chainwheel, is a form of toothed wheel commonly used to drive roller chains within industrial power transmission via rotation. The teeth of a sprocket are designed to slot into the links of a chain or belt, with various sizes available to accommodate for numerous chain pitch sizes. Read our sprockets guide for more in-depth information on sprockets and how to select the correct one for a chain.

Is a sprocket the same as a gear?

Sprockets differ from gears as they work independently and do not interlock. In power transmission applications such as gearboxes, drive chains and conveyer chains, sprockets transmit shaft rotation to chains and vice versa. When there is an even number of pitches in the chain, by using a sprocket with an odd number of teeth, this results in uniform wear over both the chain and sprocket teeth.

What type of sprockets are there?

Sprockets are available with several different bore types to suit a range of applications. The most common types used to drive chains and roller chains in industrial and domestic applications include:

Parallel
Pilot
Taper Bush
Through Bore

Where are sprockets used?

Sprockets are used in a wide range of industrial and domestic applications, most commonly to operate machinaery and vehicles. You are likely to find sprockets used in areas such as:

Bicycles or bikes
Motorcycles
Tanks
Farming machinery
Cameras