ISO metric · coarse
M2.5 × 0.45 tap drill size
For general work, OSG suggests 65–70% of full thread. Harder materials and deep holes want less; the calculator sets it from your material.
Cut tap
2.1 mm
0.0827" · 68% thread
Form tap
2.3 mm
0.0906" · 65% thread
Pick your material for its % of thread, tapping RPM and the rigid-tap code.
Thread dimensions
- Major Ø
- 2.500 mm (0.0984")
- Pitch
- 0.45 mm
- Pitch Ø (basic)
- 2.208 mm (0.0869")
- Minor Ø (internal, basic)
- 2.013 mm (0.0792")
- Thread depth (internal)
- 0.244 mm (0.0096")
Basic sizes of the 60° form. Tolerance classes (6H) set the limits around them.
Cut tap drills
For a cutting (fluted or spiral) tap. Every standard drill from 50% to 85% thread; suggested rows are in the 65–70% band.
| Drill | Ø in | Ø mm | Thread |
|---|---|---|---|
| #46 | 0.0810 | 2.06 | 76% |
| #45 | 0.0820 | 2.08 | 71% |
| 2.1 mmsuggested | 0.0827 | 2.10 | 68% |
| #44 | 0.0860 | 2.18 | 54% |
| 2.2 mm | 0.0866 | 2.20 | 51% |
Form tap drills
A form (roll) tap displaces metal instead of cutting it, so it needs a bigger hole. Every standard drill from 50% to 85% thread; suggested rows are in the 65–70% band.
| Drill | Ø in | Ø mm | Thread |
|---|---|---|---|
| #43 | 0.0890 | 2.26 | 78% |
| 2.3 mmsuggested | 0.0906 | 2.30 | 65% |
3-wire measurement
- Best wire size
- 0.260 mm (0.0102")
- Over wires, at basic pitch Ø
- 2.597 mm (0.1023")
For the external thread (the screw). The best wire touches the flanks at the pitch diameter.
Sources
- ISO 261 / ISO 262 — ISO general purpose metric screw threads: general plan and selected sizes
- OSG — Tap drill size and pitch diameter limit chart (formula, suggested % of full thread)
- Cutting Tool Engineering — "Threads will roll": form tap hole size = D − 0.0068 × % / TPI
- ASME B94.11M — Twist drills (fractional, number, letter and metric sizes)
- NIST (NBS) Letter Circular 23 and Pratt & Whitney — three-wire thread measurement, best wire size