Is Stainless Steel Magnetic? What You Need to Know

Quick magnet test: use a magnet to see whether stainless steel is magnetic—different grades behave differently

Is Stainless Steel Magnetic? | East Coast Bolts”?

When customers ask us, “Is stainless steel magnetic?” the answer is: it depends on the grade. Stainless steel comes in many types, and whether it attracts a magnet depends on its internal structure and composition.

Magnetic vs. Non-Magnetic Stainless Steel

Stainless steel falls into several categories, but the two most common are:

Austenitic Stainless Steel – Usually Non-Magnetic

This includes grades like:

• 304 Stainless Steel

• 316 Stainless Steel

These are the most common types of stainless steel used in automotive, food processing, and marine applications. They’re generally not magnetic in their natural (annealed) state. However, cold working—like bending, stamping, or forming—can cause them to become slightly magnetic.

Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steel – Magnetic

Grades like:

• 410 Stainless Steel

• 430 Stainless Steel

These are magnetic due to their crystal structure. They're commonly used where both corrosion resistance and magnetic properties are important, such as in appliances or automotive trim.

Why It Matters for Automotive and Restoration Projects

If you're sourcing fasteners for a classic car restoration or a marine project, magnetism can affect tool use, sensor interference, or compatibility with other components.

At East Coast Bolts, we stock both 304 and 316 non-magnetic stainless steel fasteners for corrosion resistance.

Quick Magnet Test

Want to know if your stainless steel is magnetic? Try this:

• Magnet sticks strongly: Likely 410 or 430 stainless (magnetic)

• Magnet doesn't stick: Likely 304 or 316 stainless (non-magnetic)

This quick check is useful for identifying unknown fasteners or verifying grades in the shop.

Common Uses for Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Stainless Steel

Application	Grade	Magnetic?
Automotive body bolts	304 / 410	304: No / 410: Yes
Marine environments	316	No
Appliance panels & trims	430	Yes
Restoration projects (classic cars)	304 or 410	Depends

Looking for stainless steel fasteners for your next project?

👉 Shop Stainless Steel Bolts at East Coast Bolts – We stock both magnetic and non-magnetic options.