4-48 tap drill size

    Use a #42 drill (0.0935 in) for a 4-48 cutting tap at 75% thread.

    Drills for 4-48 (UNF)
    Tap typeDrillDecimal (in)
    Cutting tap, 75% thread#420.0935
    Cutting tap, 50% thread (hard material)#400.0980
    Roll / form tap, 65% thread#370.1040
    Helicoil / STI insert (#4-48×1D)#270.1440
    Pitch
    0.5292 mm (48 TPI)
    Major Ø
    0.1120
    Pitch Ø
    0.0985
    Minor Ø
    0.0864

    4-48 tapping speeds and feeds

    Feed = pitch (0.0208 in per rev). Starting points for a general-purpose HSS cut tap:

    • Aluminum 6061 / 7075: 2,390 RPM · 49.8 IPM
    • Free-machining / mild steel: 680 RPM · 14.2 IPM
    • 304 / 316 stainless: 340 RPM · 7.08 IPM

    4-48 tap speeds and feeds: all materials, form taps and G84 code · #42 drill size and speeds

    Common questions

    What size drill for a 4-48 tap?
    Use a #42 drill (0.0935 in) for a 4-48 cutting tap at 75% thread.
    What drill for a 4-48 roll (form) tap?
    About 0.1028 in; the nearest standard drill is #37. Check your tap maker's table.
    What drill for a 4-48 Helicoil?
    Drill #27 (0.1440 in), then tap with the 4-48 STI tap.

    Other UNF sizes

    Drill sizes from Machinery's Handbook and ASME B1.1/B1.13M; roll tap sizes from the form-tap formula. Tap and insert makers' tables are authoritative.

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