9/16-18 tap drill size

    Use a 33/64" drill (0.5156 in) for a 9/16-18 cutting tap at 75% thread.

    Drills for 9/16-18 (UNF)
    Tap typeDrillDecimal (in)
    Cutting tap, 75% thread33/64"0.5156
    Cutting tap, 50% thread (hard material)17/32"0.5312
    Roll / form tap, 65% thread17/320.5313
    Helicoil / STI insert (9/16-18×1D)39/64"0.6094
    Pitch
    1.4111 mm (18 TPI)
    Major Ø
    0.5625
    Pitch Ø
    0.5264
    Minor Ø
    0.4943

    9/16-18 tapping speeds and feeds

    Feed = pitch (0.0556 in per rev). Starting points for a general-purpose HSS cut tap:

    • Aluminum 6061 / 7075: 480 RPM · 26.7 IPM
    • Free-machining / mild steel: 140 RPM · 7.78 IPM
    • 304 / 316 stainless: 70 RPM · 3.89 IPM

    9/16-18 tap speeds and feeds: all materials, form taps and G84 code · 33/64" drill size and speeds

    Common questions

    What size drill for a 9/16-18 tap?
    Use a 33/64" drill (0.5156 in) for a 9/16-18 cutting tap at 75% thread.
    What drill for a 9/16-18 roll (form) tap?
    About 0.5379 in; the nearest standard drill is 17/32. Check your tap maker's table.
    What drill for a 9/16-18 Helicoil?
    Drill 39/64" (0.6094 in), then tap with the 9/16-18 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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