Abstract: A compact toggle clamp has a frame defining a fixed jaw at one end and a bore adjacent to the other end in which is received a movable jaw assembly, including an internally threaded cylinder and a screw threadedly engaged in one end thereof and having an enlarge jaw head facing the fixed jaw. The movable jaw assembly moves between clamping and unclamping positions relative to the fixed jaw, being biased toward the unclamping position by a helical compression spring in the bore. Clamping of the movable jaw is effected by a lever mechanism including a clamp lever pivoted to the frame at a first pivot and coupled to the rear end of the cylinder by a link pivoted to the clamp lever at a second pivot and to the cylinder at a third pivot so that, in the clamping position, the three pivots are all substantially aligned along the axis of the cylinder. A release lever facilitates movement of the clamp lever from its clamping condition.