BSP THREAD CHART

Angle of thread = 55o degrees

Nominal Major Minor
T P Pitch Tapping
Size Diameter Diameter
I (inches) Drill Size
(inches) (inches) (inches)
Letter
1/16 28 0.0357 0.304 0.2583 drill G
(6.6 mm)
11/32 inch
1/8 28 0.0357 0.383 0.3372
(8.73 mm)
11.8 mm
1/4 19 0.0526 0.518 0.4546 (0.4646
inch)
15.25 mm
3/8 19 0.0526 0.656 0.5886 (0.6004
inch)
3/4 inch
1/2 14 0.0714 0.825 0.7336 (19.05
mm)
21 mm
5/8 14 0.0714 0.902 0.8106 (0.8268
inch)
24.5 mm
3/4 14 0.0714 1.041 0.9496 (0.9646
inch)
28.25 mm
7/8 14 0.0714 1.189 1.0976 (1.1122
inch)
30.75 mm
1 inch 11 0.0909 1.309 1.1926 (1.2106
inch)
The term "tpi" stands for "Threads Per Inch" and refers to the pitch of the screw threads. The greater the number of tpi,
the finer the thread. Hence a 12 tpi thread has bigger, coarser threads than a 20 tpi thread.

Tolerancing of Screw Threads

It was previously stated that an essential principle is that the actual profiles of both the nut and bolt threads
must never cross or transgress the theoretical profile. Practically, to make a thread, tolerances must be
applied to ensure that this essential principal always applies. Tolerancing of screw threads is complicated
by the complex geometric nature of the screw thread form. Clearances must be applied to the basic profile
of the threads in order that a bolt thread can be screwed into a nut thread. For the thread to be made
practically there must be tolerances applied to the main thread elements.

Usually nut threads have a tolerance applied to the basic profile so that it is theoretically possible for the
nut thread profile to be equal to the theoretical profile. Bolt threads usually have a gap between the basic
and actual thread profiles. This gap is called the allowance with inch-based threads and the fundamental
deviation with metric threads. The tolerance is subsequently applied to the thread. Since for coated threads
the tolerances apply to threads before coating (unless otherwise stated), the gap is taken up by the coating
thickness. After coating, the actual thread profile must not transgress the basic profile of the thread.

A full designation for a metric thread includes information not only on the thread diameter and pitch but
also a designation for the thread tolerance class. For example a thread designated as M12 x 1 - 5g6g
indicates that the thread has a nominal diameter of 12mm and a pitch of 1mm. The 5g indicates the
tolerance class for the pitch diameter and 6g is the tolerance class for the major diameter.

A fit between threaded parts is indicated by the nut thread tolerance designation followed by the bolt
thread tolerance designation separated by a slash. For example: M12 x 1 - 6H/5g6g indicates a tolerance
class of 6H for the nut (female) thread and a 5g tolerance class for the pitch diameter with a 6g tolerance
class for the major diameter.

A tolerance class is made up of two parts, a tolerance grade and a tolerance position.
A number of tolerance grades have been established for the pitch and crest diameters (the crest diameter is
the minor diameter in the case of a nut thread and the major diameter in the case of a bolt thread.
Tolerance grades are represented by numbers, the lower the number the smaller the tolerance. Grade 6 is
used for a medium tolerance quality and a normal length of thread engagement. Grades lower than 6 are
intended for fine tolerance quality and/or short lengths of thread engagement. Grades higher than 6 are
intended for coarse tolerance quality and/or long lengths of thread engagement.

There are:
5 tolerance grades (grades 4 to 8) available for the minor diameter of the nut thread.
3 tolerance grades (grades 4,6 and 8) for the major diameter of the bolt thread.
5 tolerance grades (grades 4 to 8) for the pitch diameter tolerance of the nut thread.
7 tolerance grades (grades 3 to 9) for the pitch diameter tolerance of the bolt thread.
 Tolerance positions are indicated by letters, upper case letters for nut threads and lower case letters for
bolt threads. The tolerance position is the distance of the tolerance from the basic size of the thread
profile.

For nut threads there are two tolerance positions, H with a zero fundamental deviation (distance of the
tolerance position from the basic size) and G with a positive fundamental deviation.

For bolt threads there are four tolerance positions, h has a zero fundamental deviation and e, f, and g
negative fundamental deviations. (A positive fundamental deviation indicates that the size for the thread
element will be larger than the basic size. A negative fundamental deviation indicates that the size for the
thread element will be smaller than the basic size.

One practical problem that is often encountered is what thread tolerance to apply to a tapped hole. The
standard tolerance classes of 6g for the bolt thread and 6H for the nut thread are typically included on a
drawing as default. A problem that sometimes occurs is that on long thread engagements (that are
frequently used for tapped holes in soft materials) there can be an interference between the nut thread and
the screw thread as the screw is rotated into the tapped hole. There can be a slight mis-match in the thread
pitch between the internal thread and the external thread necessitating a wrench to rotate the fastener to the
bottom of the thread i.e. it can't be freely rotated. The standard tolerance classes apply strictly only when a
relatively short length of engagement is used (such as with a nut which is typically 0.8d where d is the
thread size). The pitch diameter tolerance must be able to accomodate pitch and flank angle errors which
can sometimes only be done by changing the tolerance position say from a H to a G for the internal thread
(since standard screws - 6g - are wished to be used). Failure to change the tolerance position can result in
thread seizure and damage especially if high speed tools are being used for the tightening process.

An example of such a seizure problem is illustrated below:

Metric Screw Threads

Thread Designation

 The complete designation of a screw thread gives

 the thread symbol e.g. M for Metric

 the thread size e.g. 6
 the thread pitch e.g. x 1
 the tolerance class e.g. 6H(Female) 6g (male)

 the length of thread if not dimensioned separately eg. x 30 LNG

Notes:
If the thread is standard course then the pitch need not be shown. However it is better that it is always
shown
If the tolerance grade for the pitch diameter and the major diameter is the same then only one needs to be
shown.
Threads right handed (clockwise turn to screw in) unless a -LH suffix is added to indicate left hand thread.

The Class of Fit is a measure of the degree of fit between mating internal and external threads.

Classes of Fit

 Three main Classes of Fit are defined for metric screw threads :

 FINE: This has a tolerance class of 5H for internal threads and 4h for
external threads.
 MEDIUM: This has a tolerance class of 6H for internal threads and 6g for
 external threads.

 COARSE: This has a tolerance class of 7H for internal threads and 8g for
external threads.

If one class is shown for a male thread i.e 6g then the tolerance applies to the pitch dia and the major
diameter. A dual tolerance is shown (5h6g) when a different tolerance is applied to the Pitch dia (5h) and
the major dia (6h). The same principle applies to the female thread e.g. a tolerance grade (6H ) applies to
both pitch dia and the minor dia. A tolerance grade (6H7H) refers to 6H for the pitch dia and 7H for the
minor dia.

The typical designation for a thread on a drawing is as follows

 M8 - 6e..This is a M8 course male thread with a 6e external(male) tolerance

(before coating)
 M8 x 1 - 6e.. This is a M8 course male fine thread with a 6e external(male)
tolerance (before coating)
 M8 - 6H... This is a M8 course female thread with a 6H internal(female)
tolerance (not coated)

 M8 - 6H - LH This is a Left hand M8 course female thread with a 6H

internal(female) tolerance (not coated)

Pipe Threads

The typical designation for a Pipe Threads

 R 1/2 External Taper - Sealing on Thread (BS 21)

 Rc 1/2 Internal Tape - Sealing on Thread(BS 21)
 Rp 1/2 Internal Parallel- Sealing on Thread (BS 21)
 G 1/2 A,B or ext External Parallel - Not Sealing on Threads -Additional
seal required(BS2779)

 G 1/2(F = full thread) Internal Parallel Not Sealing on Threads -Additional

seal required (BS2779)