Tap and Clearance Drill Bit Sizes

You are at a hardware store, looking for materials you need for a home improvement project. You quickly scan your checklist, see the drill bit, and tap. Unlike screws or nails, which you can find almost everywhere, these materials may be new to you.

This article will provide a walkthrough of what you need to know as you work with a drill bit and tap. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section at the end of the article should help you locate information quickly. 

Summary

The drill bit and tap size chart below is the easiest way to find the sizes that you need. From it, you can see the following:

  • The drill bit size for 10-32 tap is size 21.
  • The drill bit size for the M6 bolt is 5mm.
woodwork

Table of Contents

Standard Drill Bit Size Charts

The table below shows the tap drill size for the given thread size. If you cannot find your drill bit size, use the formula Thread Diameter – Pitch = Tapping Drill Size.

You may refer to the drill bit size chart below for a quick guide to make sure you get the right tools and types. ANSI and ASME are the organizations usually creating these industry standards. It makes it easy to when doing conversation to find equivalent sets, whether for aircraft or construction. When it comes to drill bits, look for B94.11M.

Maybe you’re asking yourself, “what size drill bit for 10-32 or 5/6 tap?” Look below.

Tap and Clearance Drill Bit Sizes

ScrewO.D.Tap
Close Fit
Free Fit
Size/ThreadDecimal Size *Decimal SizeDecimal SizeDecimal 
000-1200.0340″710.0260″650.0350″620.0380″
00-900.0440650.03503/64″0.0469550.0520
0-800.06003/64″ (56)0.0469520.0635500.0700
1-720.0730530.0595480.0760460.0810
2-560.0860500.0700430.0890410.0960
3-480.099470.0790370.1040360.1065
4-400.1120430.0890320.1160300.1285
5-400.125380.102290.136028 (9/64)0.1405
6-320.1380360.1065270.1440250.1495
8-320.1640290.136018 (11/64)0.1695160.1770
10-240.190250.15090.1967 (13/64)0.2010
10-320.1900210.159090.19607 (13/64)0.2010
1/4-200.250070.2010F0.2570H (17/64)0.2660
1/4-280.250030.2130F0.2570H (17/64)0.2660
5/16-180.3125F0.2570P0.3230Q0.3320
3/8-160.37505/16″0.3125W0.3860X0.3970
1/2-130.500027/64″0.421933/64″0.515617/32″0.5312

Metric Threads

THREAD SIZEDRILL (MM)THREAD SIZEDRILL (MM)THREAD SIZEDRILL (MM)
M1x0.250.75M9x0.758.3M18x216
M1.2×0.250.95M9x18M18x2.515.5
M1.4×0.31.1M9x1.257.8M20x119
M1.6×0.351.25M10x0.59.5M20x1.518.5
M1.8×0.351.45M10x0.759.3M20x218
M2x0.41.6M10x19M20x2.517.5
M2.2×0.451.75M10x1.258.8M22x121
M2.5×0.452.05M10x1.58.5M22x1.520.5
M2.6×0.452.15M11x110M22x220
M3x0.352.65M11x1.259.8M22x2.519.5
M3x0.52.5M11x1.59.5M24x123
M3.5×0.353.15M12x0.511.5M24x1.522.5
M3.5×0.62.9M12x0.7511.3M24x222
M4x0.53.5M12x111M24x321
M4x0.73.3M12x1.2510.3M25x1.523.5
M4.5×0.54M12x1.510.5M25x223
M4.5×0.753.75M12x1.7510.3M27x324
M5x0.54.5M13x112M30x3.526.5
M5x0.754.25M14x113M33x3.529.5
M5x0.84.2M14x1.2512.8M36x432
M6x0.55.5M14x1.512.5M39x435
M6x0.755.25M14x212M42x4.537.5
M6x15M15x114M45x4.540.5
M7x0.56.5M15x1.513.5M48x543
M7x0.756.25M16x115M52x547
M7x16M16x1.2514.8M56x5.550.5
M8x0.57.5M16x1.514.5M60x5.554.5
M8x0.757.25M16x214M64x658
M8x17M18x117M68x662
M8x1.256.8M18x1.516.5M72x666

UNC and UNF Threads

UNCDRILL (MM)UNFDRILL (MM)
1.641.550.81.25
2.561.81.721.55
3.482.12.641.85
4.42.33.562.1
5.42.64.482.4
6.322.85.442.7
8.323.46.42.9
10.243.98.363.5
12.244.510.324.1
1/4.205.112.284.6
5/16.186.61/4.285.5
3/8.1685/16.246.9
7/16.149.43/8.248.5
1/2.1310.87/16.209.9
9/16.1212.21/2.2011.5
5/8.1113.69/16.1812.9
3/4.1016.55/8.1814.5
7/8.919.53/4.1617.5
1”822.27/8.1420.5
1.1/8.7251”1223.2
1.1/4.728.21.1/8.1226.5
1.3/8.630.81.1/4.1229.5
1.1/2.6341.3/8.1232.8
1.3/4.539.51.1/2.1236
2”4.1/245.3 

What is tap drill size?

A tap drill is a tool we use to cut an opening in a piece of metal. It has a cylindrical shape and comes in various forms and sizes. Cutting the threads inside a surface is called tapping. It’s typically done in metal.

Tap drills come in several sizes to address a variety of applications. Thick ones would make a huge hole. It is useful in items that need a lot of support, such as attaching table legs to the main table. 

To calculate the tapping size in metric threads, subtract the pitch from the thread diameter. For example, if the thread size is M5 x 0.50, the tapping drill is 5 – 0.5 = 4.5 mm.

We use the same formula when calculating the tapping drill size in imperial threads. For example, if the thread size is 3/4.10 UNC pitch = 0.1 and the thread diameter = 0.75, the tapping drill size would be 0.65 or 16.5 mm.

Metric

Drill sizes come in different systems of measurement. The majority of the world’s population uses the metric system in measuring, so it only makes sense to talk about it. You express metric sizes in millimeters (mm). Sizes can go as short as 0.0483 mm or as long as 36.50 mm. The length to pick will depend on your needs.

What is a clearance hole?

When woodworkers are drilling a hole in a wood piece, the first hole they will drill is likely bigger than the screw size. If you have ever wondered, we call this the clearance hole. It is necessary for all woodworking projects. So, why do you need a clearance hole?

A clearance hole is smaller than the screw’s head but is a tad larger than the thread’s outside diameter. It results in a tighter joint between these pieces of wood. It also drastically reduces the risk of jacking, which is typically common in woodworking.

Other materials aside from wood also require a clearance hole to prevent any materials from splitting or cracking. It does not look aesthetic and may weaken the hold.

Now you know why you need one. The next question is, how does it work? People won’t go the extra mile of drilling a larger hole for nothing. When screwing or joining wood together, the first step is to make a hole on the top piece of wood.

It should be larger than the screw thread’s diameter. This hole would prevent the screw from attaching to the top piece of wood as you screw them together.

man using a drill

What happens if you do not have a clearance hole? The screw threads will bind against the grain of the top wood piece, causing it to separate. When this happens, the screw will tighten itself on the wood’s top portion but not pull the two pieces together. It would result in a few problems, such as a weak bond between pieces of wood.

The next question you might be asking yourself is, how deep does one need to drill it? Do you do it halfway, a quarter, or all the way? In most cases, it should be until the top material only. If you accidentally drill on both wood pieces, your screw will fall off. It defeats the purpose of having a hole.

When should you have a clearance hole? If you have a fully threaded screw, then you need it. Otherwise, don’t bother having one. What is the purpose? It prevents the bottom material from getting jacked by the top one. You want to avoid jacking as it could lead to issues in the long run.

Partially threaded screws sometimes need a clearance hole. If the threads are at the top part, you will need it. Else, you won’t need it. A clearance hole is also a necessity when bolting wood together. But instead of using a screw, you are using a bolt. The hole should be slightly larger than the bolt shank.

Do I need a drill bit?

drill bit

Yes, a drill bit is needed when creating one. Some people would make a hole using the screw itself by screwing into the top portion of the wood piece, then unscrewing it out. The idea here is to create a hole using the screw.

Do not use a screw to create a clearance hole. The screw will only create an equally big hole. The threads will also bind with the wood, causing it to be ineffective. Driving a screw directly into the piece of wood will create cracks. Over time, these will grow bigger. It results in a loose fit.

The bottom line, take time and save some money to get yourself a drill bit. Use it to drive a hole correctly and safely. A good quality tool from a reputable brand should last you a few years. What you need depends on your product.

Make sure to find one from a reputable company while also considering the price. They should have many happy customers and design a range of quality equipment with years of experience!

Benefits

Aside from preventing jacking, here are the other benefits a clearance hole:

  • Tighter joints
  • It prevents the splitting of the wood pieces from happening.
  • Easy alignment of joints
  • It keeps your screws aligned.
  • Screw heads are easier to countersink
  • It prevents screws from splitting or breaking.

How big should it be?

When it comes to size, there is no size fits all. It would depend on the type of material you are working with, but it would have to be a little bit larger than the thread’s outside diameter. In measurement, that is about 1 mm.

If you are working with softwood, the clearance hole should be similar to the size of the screw’s thread. On the other hand, hardwood would need a larger hole. It helps the head to flush out with the wood’s top piece. It may not apply to all scenarios but is generally correct.

Several size charts are available online, but these could lead to confusion. A useful tip is to create a hole that is 1mm larger than the diameter of the thread. Keep in mind to only have the hole through the wood’s top piece. 

drill

What are a close fit, normal fit, and free fit screw clearances?

A clearance hole should not interfere with the screw threads regardless of the fit. Again, this hole is there to give way for the screw to reach the second piece of wood. Now, how are these fits different from each other? In terms of allowance, they differ. In terms of functionality, they all serve the same purpose.

A normal fit does not provide less support than a close fit. Similarly, a free fit does not provide less support than a normal fit. All three give the same support. The difference lies in the minimum and maximum clearance. 

What drill bit to use?

drill bits

A drill bit is necessary when driving a clearance hole, as discussed in one of the sections above. It may look like a small part of the entire process, but it reshapes everything. A screw and a drill bit are foundational materials in starting a project. Without the proper foundation, you will unlikely get the results you want.

Let’s say you arrived at the store to purchase your very first drill bit. You find out there are several sizes available. So you ask yourself a question, “What drill bit to use for screw size?”. It should have the same size as the screw’s shaft, excluding the threads.

To get an estimate, put the screw and drill bit beside each other. If they are similar, that is the bit size to go. Alternately, you can check the measurements in the packaging to confirm.

Here are a few tips to consider:

  • Take a drill bit and a screw with similar sizes. Check if the width is similar to the screw, excluding the threads. If the screw with the threads is the same size as the bit, you will likely have a bigger hole than you need.
  • Look into the labels in the bits and screws packages. Most manufacturers provide dimensions in the packaging. Use a 9/64 bit for a size nine screw. Use a 1/16 bit for a size two screw.
  • If you need to use a washer, please do the opposite of the first suggestion above. Place the screw and bit beside each other. Make sure they have the same width, considering the threads. 
drill bit

How to make the perfect pilot hole?

Now you know how to choose the correct bit for every screw, it is time to make the pilot hole. It serves as a guide for where the screw needs to go while minimizing breaking and chipping. Here are some steps to follow:

  1. Using a pencil or pen, mark the location where you want your screw to go. This step is not required, but it will save you a lot of time.
  2. Hold the wood pieces into place. You can use a clamp to secure it down. For metal, don’t put too much force down to avoid bending. However, don’t worry about this step if you are drilling into a stable surface. 
  3. Choose the correct size and align it vertically with the marked location. Aligning ensures that the hole you are about to drill is straight. 
  4. If you are only drilling into a portion of a surface, ensure you do not exceed the dimensions. Stop as soon as the bit comes out the other side if you are drilling through a surface.
  5. Slowly pull the drill bit. Be careful not to apply too much force, as it could damage the hole you just created.
  6. Clean or wipe any debris.
drill bits on metal

5/16 vs. 1/4

It’s important to know that the 5/16 and 1/4 drill bits are not the same. The 5/16 is marginally bigger and it can create a hole that won’t properly anchor what you’re trying to mount. You’re better off spending the money on a 1/4 drill bit if it is what is called for.

It’s no different from if you were looking for steel gauges or screws that come with their individual numbers.

3  drill bits

Below are the steps to take when finding the right one to use for a particular screw size.

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