Search “sofa connector types” and you’ll get a pile of names that don’t line up with each other — alligator, crocodile, bayonet, flush-mount, buckle, interlocking, snap. Half of them describe the same thing from a different factory, and the other half describe something completely different. So before I list our models, let me untangle what these type names usually point to, and then show you what we actually make.
Why “types” is a slippery word here
Unlike a bolt or a hinge, a sofa connector doesn’t have one agreed shape. The name depends on who’s selling it and what market they’re in. A few that come up constantly:
- Alligator / crocodile connector — named after the jaw-like mating piece. You squeeze the two halves together and they lock.
- Bayonet connector — a twist-and-seat motion, like a bayonet light bulb. Common in modular systems.
- Flush-mount connector — sits flat against the frame, low profile, nothing poking out.
- Buckle / interlocking connector — two mating plates that click or slide into each other.
- Snap connector — basically the same idea as interlocking, just a different seller’s word.
The catch: none of these names tells you the real dimensions. Two “alligator” connectors from two suppliers can be different lengths, different thickness, different way they lock. I’ve had buyers order by the name and get something that physically wouldn’t seat in their frame. So treat the type name as a hint, not a spec.
What we actually list (catalog-verified)
We name ours by model and shape, not by market type. Here’s the real range, photos from our own product pages:
| Model | Type | Verified catalog data | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 207 | Iron connector | 13 cm long; 1.5 mm thick; Iron; Galvanization / Black |  |
| 222 | 12 cm buckle | 12 cm long; 2 mm thick |  |
| 223 | 16 cm buckle | 16 cm long; 2 mm / 1.8 mm thick |  |
| 224 | 13 cm buckle | 13 cm long; 1.5 mm thick |  |
| 225 | 12 cm tapered buckle | 12 cm long; 2 mm / 1.8 mm thick |  |
| 226 | 12 cm hooked tapered buckle | 12 cm long; 2.3 mm thick |  |
| 227 | 14 cm buckle | total thickness 16 mm; material thickness 2 mm |  |
| 230 | Butterfly buckle | 1.5 mm thick |  |
The buckle family (222 through 227) is the jaw-style, mating-plate design that most people mean when they say alligator or interlocking. Model 230 butterfly is the low-profile one. Model 207 is the iron connector we started with.
How to pick the right type for your frame
Don’t start from the name. Start from your frame:
- Get the actual connector you’re matching — a photo from a few angles, or the original part.
- Check length, thickness, and how the two halves meet. That’s what actually decides fit, not the label.
- Confirm the mounting orientation — which half goes on which section, and which way it faces.
A 12 cm connector is a good example of why this matters: 222, 225, and 226 are all around 12 cm, but different designs and different thickness (2 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.3 mm). Same number, not the same part.
Type Families at a Glance
The table below groups the catalog models into type families, with the dimensions published on each model page.
| Type family | Models | Published dimensions | Material & finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight buckle | Model 222, 223, 224, 227 | 12–16 cm long; 1.5–2 mm plate thickness | Iron |
| Tapered buckle | Model 225, 226 (hooked) | 12 cm long; 1.8–2.3 mm thick | Iron |
| Butterfly buckle | Model 230 | 1.5 mm plate thickness | Iron |
| Two-section hinge | Model 228 (standard), 229 (thickened) | 2.4–2.6 cm long; 2–3 mm thick | Iron |
| Iron connector A / B / C | Model 205A, 205B, 205C | See the product drawing on the model page | Iron; galvanization or black |
| Numbered sofa connectors | Model 201–215 | See the product drawing on the model page | Iron; galvanization or black |
FAQ
What are the main sofa connector types?
The names you’ll see are alligator/crocodile, bayonet, flush-mount, buckle, interlocking, and snap. They describe the mating shape, not a fixed size — so always confirm the real dimensions before you order.
Is an alligator connector the same as an interlocking connector?
Often yes, same jaw-lock idea, different seller. But dimensions can still differ between suppliers, so don’t assume they’re interchangeable.
Do you make flush-mount connectors?
Our butterfly model 230 is the low-profile one, and we do customized profiles if your frame needs a specific shape. Send a drawing or sample and we’ll confirm.
How do I know which type fits my sofa?
Match the actual connector — photo, length, thickness, and how the halves mate. If you’re not sure, send us what you’ve got and we’ll tell you the model.
For a full walkthrough on telling connectors apart by design instead of name, the Sofa Connector Guide: Types, Dimensions & Mounting covers it in detail. And if you need a custom profile, the Custom Sofa Connector Manufacturer page explains how the OEM side works.
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