9/16-12 UNC tap drill size and thread dimensions
9/16-12 UNC has a major diameter of 14.287 mm and a pitch of 12 threads per inch (2.1167 mm). Every other dimension below follows from those two numbers and the 60-degree thread form.
- Clearance hole
- 15.431
- Pitch diameter
- 12.9127
- Minor diameter of the nut thread
- 11.9961
- Minor diameter of the bolt thread
- 11.6906
- Tensile stress area
- 118.855 mm2
- Breaking load at that tensile strength
- 95 084
- The old "diameter minus pitch" drill
- 12.171
- Engagement that rule actually gives
- 92.4 %
- Threads engaged over that length
- 10.11
- Equivalent threads per inch
- 12.000
Show the working
- Thread engagement = 75
- Clearance hole allowance = 8
- Length of engagement = 21.4
- Material tensile strength = 800
- major = 14.2875 = 14.2875
- p = 2.1166666666666667 = 2.116 67
- h = 2.116 67 * 0.8660254037844386 = 1.833 09
- Tap drill = 14.2875 - 75/100 * 1.082532 * 2.116 67 = 12.569
- The old "diameter minus pitch" drill = 14.2875 - 2.116 67 = 12.1708
- Engagement that rule actually gives = 100 / 1.082532 = 92.376
- Pitch diameter = 14.2875 - 0.649519 * 2.116 67 = 12.9127
- Minor diameter of the nut thread = 14.2875 - 1.082532 * 2.116 67 = 11.9961
- Minor diameter of the bolt thread = 14.2875 - 1.226869 * 2.116 67 = 11.6906
- Tensile stress area = pi/4 * (14.2875 - 0.938194 * 2.116 67)^2 = 118.855
- Clearance hole = 14.2875 * (1 + 8/100) = 15.4305
- Breaking load at that tensile strength = 118.855 * 800 = 95 083.9
- shear_area = pi * 11.9961 * 21.4 * (0.5 + 0.57735 * (12.9127 - 11.9961)/2.116 67) = 604.876
- Threads engaged over that length = 2.116 67 > 0 ? 21.4 / 2.116 67 : 0 = 10.1102
- Equivalent threads per inch = 2.116 67 > 0 ? 25.4 / 2.116 67 : 0 = 12
Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.
Scenarios & local history
Compare a saved scenario
Recent calculations
The formula
- tap drill = D - (engagement / 100) x 1.082532 x P
- pitch diameter = D - 0.649519 P
- internal minor diameter = D - 1.082532 P
- tensile stress area = (pi/4)(D - 0.938194 P)^2
The familiar "drill equals diameter minus pitch" rule actually produces about 92% thread engagement, not 75%. Past roughly 75% the extra holding power is negligible and the tapping torque rises sharply, which is why 75% or even 65% is the shop standard.
The tensile stress area formula is the ISO 898-1 definition, based on the mean of the pitch and minor diameters.
Cut a clearance hole rather than a close fit unless the joint is dowelled: thread clearance is what lets parts line up.
9/16-12 UNC at common engagements
| Engagement | Tap drill (mm) | Tap drill (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 65% | 12.798 | 0.5039 |
| 70% | 12.684 | 0.4994 |
| 75% | 12.569 | 0.4948 |
| 80% | 12.454 | 0.4903 |
| 85% | 12.340 | 0.4858 |
| 90% | 12.225 | 0.4813 |
Pick the nearest drill above the figure, never below it.
Frequently asked
What drill size do I need for 9/16-12 UNC?
12.57 mm (0.4948 in) for 75% thread engagement. The traditional rule gives 12.17 mm, which is a tighter and harder-tapping hole.
What is the pitch of 9/16-12 UNC?
12 threads per inch (2.1167 mm).
Where the numbers come from
- Thread geometry follows the ISO 68-1 basic profile shared by ISO metric and Unified inch threads; the stress-area definition is from ISO 898-1.