Gas Strut vs Gas Spring: How to Tell the Difference
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If you've searched for "gas strut vs gas spring" and wondered whether you've ordered the wrong part, here's the short answer: a gas strut and a gas spring are the same component. The confusion is purely down to naming, not engineering — and once you know how to read the specification, choosing the right one for your car boot, ottoman bed, cabinet or gate becomes straightforward.
Gas Strut vs Gas Spring: Are They the Same Thing?
Yes. "Gas strut" and "gas spring" describe the same sealed, gas-filled cylinder that extends a piston rod to hold a hinged panel open. The two terms simply come from different industries and regions:
- Gas strut — the term most commonly used in the UK automotive, furniture and DIY trade (car boots, ottoman beds, cabinet lids).
- Gas spring — the more formal engineering and industrial term, used in technical datasheets, machinery guarding and OEM manufacturing.
- You may also see gas shock, gas ram or gas cylinder used informally — again, all referring to the same part.
Some manufacturers reserve "gas spring" for shorter-stroke industrial components and "gas strut" for longer automotive or furniture parts, but there is no technical rule that separates them — they work identically. If a product listing says "gas spring" and another says "gas strut" with matching force, length and end fittings, they are interchangeable.
How a Gas Strut (Gas Spring) Actually Works
Every gas strut is a sealed steel tube containing pressurised nitrogen gas and a small amount of oil, with a piston rod that slides in and out of the tube:
- The pressurised gas pushes the piston rod outward, extending the strut and holding the panel open.
- Oil in the tube dampens the motion, giving a smooth, controlled extension rather than a sudden snap.
- Pushing the panel closed compresses the gas back into the tube, ready to extend again next time.
- The seals are what wear out over time — once they degrade, the strut loses pressure and stops holding the panel up. This is the most common failure mode and the reason replacement struts are sold by the pair.
How to Read a Gas Strut Specification
Every gas strut is defined by four figures. Get these right and fitment is guaranteed; get one wrong and the part won't hold, won't fit, or won't reach.
| Spec | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Force rating (Newtons, N) | How much lifting/holding force the strut produces at full extension | Too low and the panel won't stay open or drops slowly; too high and it will fly open or be hard to close |
| Extended length | Overall length end-to-end when fully open (fitting to fitting) | Must match the original or the panel won't open to the correct angle |
| Stroke / compressed length | How far the piston rod travels between fully closed and fully open | Determines how far the panel can move and whether the strut fits the available space when closed |
| End fitting type | How the strut connects to the panel and frame — ball socket, eyelet, or clevis fork | Wrong fitting means the strut physically won't attach, even if force and length are correct |
End Fitting Types at a Glance
| End fitting | How it works | Common on |
|---|---|---|
| Ball socket / ball joint | Snaps over a ball stud fixed to the panel or frame | Cars (boots, bonnets, tailgates), most OEM applications |
| Eyelet (eye end) | A looped end that bolts through a bracket | Ottoman beds, toolboxes, industrial panels |
| Clevis fork end | A forked bracket that pins through a mounting point | Heavier-duty and industrial applications |
Not sure which fitting you have? Our Gas Strut End Fittings range and Mounting Brackets collection cover ball studs, eyelets and clevis forks so you can match — or replace — the fitting on its own if the strut body is still good.
Which Gas Strut Do You Need? A Decision Checklist by Application
| Application | Typical force range | Usual end fitting | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car boot / tailgate | Vehicle-specific — always match the original part number | Ball socket | Boot & Tailgate Gas Struts |
| Car bonnet | Vehicle-specific — always match the original part number | Ball socket | Bonnet Gas Struts |
| Ottoman storage bed | Typically 600N–1200N depending on mattress size and lift mechanism | 8mm eyelet | Ottoman Bed Gas Struts |
| Kitchen cabinet / cupboard door | Typically 60N–100N for soft-close doors | Ball socket | Kitchen Cabinet Gas Struts |
| Swing gate (self-closing) | Purpose-built hydraulic closer, not a standalone strut | M8 or M10 threaded fitting | Hydraulic Gate Closers |
Note on gates: a swing gate closer isn't just a bare gas strut bolted on — it's a complete hydraulic soft-close kit (gas-spring mechanism plus adjustable mounting brackets) engineered specifically for gate weight, width and opening angle. See our full Hydraulic Gate Closers range if that's what you're fitting.
For general vehicle, cabinet, bed and hatch struts, browse the complete range in Gas Struts & Gas Springs, or narrow down by use case with Car Gas Struts.
Don't Guess the Force Rating — Use Our Free Sizing Tool
Ordering the wrong Newton rating is the single biggest cause of gas strut returns. Rather than estimating, use our free online Gas Strut Force Calculator — enter your panel's weight and a couple of measurements and it works out the exact N rating you need, then shows matching products from our range. No signup required, and it takes under a minute.
Why Buy Your Gas Struts From SpringFixUK
- Trusted by 1,700+ customers on eBay, with a strong positive feedback record built on accurate fitment and fast dispatch.
- Free online sizing tool — work out your exact force rating before you buy, cutting the risk of ordering the wrong part.
- UK stock, free UK shipping — no waiting on parts shipped from overseas.
- Same-day dispatch — orders placed Monday to Sunday before 16:00 are dispatched the same day, usually via Royal Mail or Evri (smaller fittings and hardware may ship via Yodel, UPS or DPD).
- Clear compatibility information on every listing, so you can check force, length and end fitting before you order — not after it arrives.
Common Questions
Is a gas spring stronger than a gas strut?
No — strength depends entirely on the Newton force rating of the individual part, not which name is used. A 1000N "gas spring" and a 1000N "gas strut" perform identically.
Can I mix a "gas spring" branded part with a "gas strut" branded part?
Yes, provided the force rating, extended length, stroke and end fitting type all match. The naming makes no difference to compatibility.
Do gas struts weaken over time even if they haven't failed completely?
Yes. Seals wear gradually, so a strut that used to hold a panel fully open may start to let it sag before it fails completely. If a panel is slow to rise or doesn't sit fully open, it's usually worth replacing both struts in a pair together.
What's the difference between a gas strut and a hydraulic gate closer?
A hydraulic gate closer uses gas-spring technology inside a purpose-built kit with adjustable mounting brackets, designed specifically to self-close a swing gate at a controlled speed — it's a complete system rather than a single strut. See our Hydraulic Gate Closers for gate-specific options.
Ready to find the right part? Use the free Gas Strut Force Calculator, or head straight to Gas Struts & Gas Springs to browse the full range.