Unified Tap Drill Chart — UNC / UNEF / UNF Reference, #0-80 to 1-3/4-5, inch
Recommended tap drill sizes for Unified inch threads — 73 rows covering UNC, UNEF and UNF from #0-80 to 1-3/4-5, each with drill decimal equivalent and thread major diameter, transcribed row-for-row from the collected chart.
Last updated: 2026-11
Specifications
The cut-tap drill chart for the unified system: one recommended drill per thread, from #0-80 UNF (3/64 drill, 0.0469 in) through the everyday production sizes (1/4-20 UNC takes #7; 1/4-28 UNF takes #3; 10-32 UNF takes #21; 5/16-18 UNC takes letter F) up to 1-3/4-5 UNC (1-21/32 drill). Three series interleave in source order — UNC for general work, UNF for finer fit and stronger small threads, UNEF for short engagement and thin-wall cases — and the chart's discipline is that the drill follows the thread callout, not the nominal diameter: a 1/4 in shaft threads at 20, 28 or 32 TPI and takes a different drill each way. Modern practice (which this chart follows) selects the drill to land the finished hole between the standard's minimum and maximum internal minor diameters for the thread class, not by the old percent-of-thread rule of thumb; for banding the hole by length of engagement the source cites FED-STD-H28/2B-1991. Where a letter-drill is not tabulated, the chart prints the decimal equivalent and the major diameter so the hole can be verified against any drill chart or measured directly. Two large UNEF rows carry improbable drill tokens in the source (flagged on the table) — their decimal columns are the authoritative values. Precise holes (reamed or bored) and class 3B work are process decisions beyond the chart — per RFQ.
| Coverage | 73 thread rows across UNC, UNEF and UNF — #0-80 to 1-3/4-5; drill follows the full thread callout (TPI matters, not just diameter) |
|---|---|
| Per-row data (in) | Recommended drill (number/letter/fraction), its decimal equivalent, thread major diameter — examples: 10-32 UNF → #21, 0.159; 1/4-20 UNC → #7, 0.201; 5/16-18 UNC → F, 0.257; 1/2-13 UNC → 27/64, 0.4219 |
| Selection basis | Hole landed between the standard's minimum and maximum internal minor diameters (modern practice, per the source); percent-of-thread rules of thumb superseded; engagement-length banding per FED-STD-H28/2B-1991 |
| Thread class | Class selection (1B/2B general, 3B close fit) is a tolerance decision the chart does not make — per RFQ (state class with the thread callout) |
| Precision holes | Reaming/boring for precise hole size and the drill-oversize expectation are process items — per RFQ |
| Thread | Series | Recommended Drill | Decimal (in) | Major Dia. (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1-64 | UNC | 53 | 0.0595 | 0.073 |
| #2-56 | UNC | 50 | 0.07 | 0.086 |
| #3-48 | UNC | 47 | 0.0785 | 0.099 |
| #4-40 | UNC | 43 | 0.089 | 0.112 |
| #5-40 | UNC | 38 | 0.1015 | 0.125 |
| #6-32 | UNC | 36 | 0.1065 | 0.138 |
| #8-32 | UNC | 29 | 0.136 | 0.164 |
| #10-24 | UNC | 25 | 0.1495 | 0.19 |
| #12-24 | UNC | 16 | 0.177 | 0.216 |
| 1/4-20 | UNC | 7 | 0.201 | 0.25 |
| 5/16-18 | UNC | F | 0.257 | 0.3125 |
| 3/8-16 | UNC | 5/16 | 0.3125 | 0.375 |
| 7/16-14 | UNC | U | 0.368 | 0.4375 |
| 1/2-13 | UNC | 27/64 | 0.4219 | 0.5 |
| 9/16-12 | UNC | 31/64 | 0.4844 | 0.5625 |
| 5/8-11 | UNC | 17/32 | 0.5312 | 0.625 |
| 3/4-10 | UNC | 21/32 | 0.6562 | 0.75 |
| 7/8-9 | UNC | 49/64 | 0.7656 | 0.875 |
| 1-8 | UNC | 7/8 | 0.875 | 1 |
| 1-1/8-7 | UNC | 63/64 | 0.9844 | 1.125 |
| 1-1/4-7 | UNC | 1-7/64 | 1.1094 | 1.25 |
| 1-3/8-6 | UNC | 1-7/32 | 1.2187 | 1.375 |
| 1-1/2-6 | UNC | 1-11/32 | 1.3437 | 1.5 |
| 1-3/4-5 | UNC | 1-9/16 | 1.5625 | 1.75 |
| #12-32 | UNEF | 13 | 0.185 | 0.216 |
| 1/4-32 | UNEF | 7/32 | 0.2188 | 0.25 |
| 5/16-32 | UNEF | 9/32 | 0.2812 | 0.3125 |
| 3/8-32 | UNEF | 11/32 | 0.3438 | 0.375 |
| 7/16-28 | UNEF | Y | 0.404 | 0.4375 |
| 1/2-28 | UNEF | 15/32 | 0.4688 | 0.5 |
| 9/16-24 | UNEF | 33/64 | 0.5156 | 0.5625 |
| 5/8-24 | UNEF | 37/64 | 0.5781 | 0.625 |
| 11/16-24 | UNEF | 41/64 | 0.6406 | 0.6875 |
| 3/4-20 | UNEF | 45/64 | 0.7031 | 0.75 |
| 13/16-20 | UNEF | 49/64 | 0.7656 | 0.8125 |
| 7/8-20 | UNEF | 53/64 | 0.8281 | 0.875 |
| 15/16-20 | UNEF | 57/64 | 0.8906 | 0.9375 |
| 1-20 | UNEF | 61/64 | 0.9531 | 1 |
| 1-1/16-18 | UNEF | 1.000 | 1 | 1.0625 |
| 1-1/8-18 | UNEF | 1-1/16 | 1.0625 | 1.125 |
| 1-3/16-18 | UNEF | 1-1/8 | 1.125 | 1.1875 |
| 1-1/4-18 | UNEF | 1-3/16 | 1.1875 | 1.25 |
| 1-5/16-18 | UNEF | 1-1/4 | 1.25 | 1.3125 |
| 1-3/8-18 | UNEF | 1-5/16 | 1.3125 | 1.375 |
| 1-7/16-18 | UNEF | 1-3/8 | 1.375 | 1.4375 |
| 1-1/2-18 | UNEF | 1-7/16 | 1.4375 | 1.5 |
| 1-9/16-18 | UNEF | 1-12 | 1.5 | 1.5625 |
| 1-5/8-18 | UNEF | 1-9/16 | 1.5625 | 1.625 |
| 1-11/16-18 | UNEF | 1-5/8 | 1.625 | 1.6875 |
| #0-80 | UNF | 3/64 | 0.0469 | 0.06 |
| #1-72 | UNF | 53 | 0.0595 | 0.073 |
| #2-64 | UNF | 50 | 0.07 | 0.086 |
| #3-56 | UNF | 45 | 0.082 | 0.099 |
| #4-48 | UNF | 42 | 0.0935 | 0.112 |
| #5-44 | UNF | 37 | 0.104 | 0.125 |
| #6-40 | UNF | 33 | 0.113 | 0.138 |
| #8-36 | UNF | 29 | 0.136 | 0.164 |
| #10-32 | UNF | 21 | 0.159 | 0.19 |
| #12-28 | UNF | 14 | 0.182 | 0.216 |
| 1/4-28 | UNF | 3 | 0.213 | 0.25 |
| 5/16-24 | UNF | I | 0.272 | 0.3125 |
| 3/8-24 | UNF | Q | 0.332 | 0.375 |
| 7/16-20 | UNF | 25/64 | 0.3906 | 0.4375 |
| 1/2-20 | UNF | 29/64 | 0.4531 | 0.5 |
| 9/16-18 | UNF | 33/64 | 0.5156 | 0.5625 |
| 5/8-18 | UNF | 37/64 | 0.5781 | 0.625 |
| 3/4-16 | UNF | 11/16 | 0.6875 | 0.75 |
| 7/8-14 | UNF | 13/16 | 0.8125 | 0.875 |
| 1-12 | UNF | 15/16 | 0.9375 | 1 |
| 1-1/8-12 | UNF | 1-3/64 | 1.0469 | 1.125 |
| 1-1/4-12 | UNF | 1-11/64 | 1.1719 | 1.25 |
| 1-3/8-12 | UNF | 1-19/64 | 1.2969 | 1.375 |
| 1-1/2-12 | UNF | 1-27/64 | 1.4219 | 1.5 |
- Row 39 (1-1/16-18): Source prints the recommended drill as the decimal "1.000" and its decimal column as "1" — duplicated/imprecise tokens; the intended drill is a 1 in reamed or sized hole, verify tooling before ordering.
- Row 47 (1-9/16-18): Source prints the recommended drill as "1-12" — not a valid drill designation (reads like a thread callout); reproduced as printed, select tooling from the decimal column.
Materials
- Tap drill choice interacts with workpiece material — abrasives, gummy alloys and deep holes may want the larger end of the class window or a reaming operation; state the material at RFQ
Ordering & documentation
Documents
Shipments are backed by Mill Test Certificate (MTC), Dimensional Report, Salt Spray Test Report on request, with full batch traceability from raw material to finished product. Quality management follows the owner-confirmed compliance list: ISO 9001:2015, RoHS, REACH. Exact document sets are confirmed on the order.
Quotation
- The fastener family (Unified Tap Drill Chart — UNC / UNEF / UNF Reference, #0-80 to 1-3/4-5, inch) plus the standard designation from your drawing — DIN / ISO / JIS / ASTM / ANSI, or a drawing for custom parts.
- Size (diameter and length), thread type (metric or inch), property class or grade, and coating or finish.
- Quantity per size and your target delivery date.
- Destination country, and any required documents (for example a mill test certificate) so the quote includes them.
Sample & supply
Minimum order quantity is 10,000 pieces. Stock items run 3–7 days. Quantities or variants outside the standard range are confirmed at quotation.
Storage & shipping
Parts are packed for export and shipped factory-direct to buyers in Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East. Store fasteners dry and protected until installation, and keep coated parts in their packaging until use; specific packing and preservation requirements can be stated on the order and confirmed at quotation.
Frequently asked questions
The same 1/4 in size appears at 20, 28 and 32 TPI with three different drills — how should I read this chart and what decides the drill finally used?
The drill is a function of the whole thread callout, which is why the chart lists every TPI as its own row: 1/4-20 UNC takes a #7 (0.201 in), 1/4-28 UNF a #3 (0.213 in), 1/4-32 UNEF a 7/32 (0.2188 in) — finer pitch leaves more minor-diameter room, so the hole grows as threads per inch rise on the same nominal. Reading the chart is therefore always: find the exact thread designation, take the drill, verify the decimal, and remember the major-diameter column is what the finished thread should measure outside, useful as a sanity check after tapping. What finally decides the drill on the shop floor is the tolerance window those decimals imply: drills wear and run oversize, so a production shop checks the first holes against the internal minor-diameter limits of the thread class — the modern selection basis this chart follows — rather than trusting the nominal drill to hit the window forever. For long engagement, the FED-STD-H28/2B-1991 banding (cited in the source) shifts the target hole upward toward the maximum to reduce tap torque; for short engagement it tightens toward the minimum for thread height. Two flagged rows (1-1/16-18 and 1-9/16-18 UNEF) print improbable drill tokens in the source; use their decimal columns. If you need a reamed hole to hold 3B reliably, that is a process call — per RFQ.
What is the MOQ and lead time for threaded parts and tooling referenced by this chart?
The minimum order quantity is 10,000 pieces. Stock items ship in 3–7 days; non-stock items are confirmed at quotation. Confirm the exact schedule against quantity, size mix and any tooling items at quotation.
Related knowledge
- Thread-Forming vs Thread-Cutting vs Thread-Rolling Self-Tapping Screws: What the Evidence Settles on Base Material
- Screw Family Selection by Base Material: Wood, Machine and Self-Tapping Threads, Engagement and Coating
- Hex Bolts vs Socket Head Cap Screws: What the Evidence Settles on Strength, Clearance and Cost
Request a Quote
Get factory-direct pricing from the manufacturer.
What to include in your inquiry
- ✓ Standard and property class (e.g. DIN 912, ISO 4762, class 8.8) — or a drawing for custom parts.
- ✓ Sizes, lengths and thread type (metric or inch).
- ✓ Quantity per size and your target delivery date.
- ✓ Destination country, plus any coating or finish requirement.
- ✓ Any documents you need with the shipment (e.g. mill test certificate) so the quote includes them.
- ✓ Your inquiry goes straight to the factory team by email and gets a reply within 24 hours.
- ✓ Factory-direct pricing
- ✓ Standard and custom specifications
- ✓ Factory-direct export to buyers in Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East
- ✓ Full fastener family support