Tap & ClearanceDrill Sizes

Precision machining reference for screw sizing and thread engagement. Pick a screw — get the tap drill, clearance hole, and quick link to the right parts.

7/8-14 Tap Drill Size and Clearance Hole

Tap Drill: Soft Matl.
13/160.8125"
75% Thread Engagement
Tap Drill: Hard Matl.
53/640.8281"
50% Thread Engagement
Clearance: Close Fit
57/640.8906"
Clearance: Free Fit
29/320.9062"
Major Diameter0.8750"
Minor Diameter0.7874"

Related sizes

About the 7/8-14 thread

7/8-14 is a UNF (Unified National Fine) thread with a 0.8750" major diameter and 14 threads per inch, giving a minor diameter of 0.7874". In aluminum, brass and plastics, drill 13/16 (0.8125") for about 75% thread engagement. In steel, stainless and cast iron, step up to 53/64 (0.8281") for about 50% engagement, which cuts tapping torque and the risk of a broken tap while keeping most of the thread's strip strength. For a 7/8" screw to pass through, drill 57/64 (0.8906") for a close fit or 29/32 (0.9062") for a free fit.

7/8-14 tap drill options by thread percentage

DrillDecimalThreadUse
51/640.7969"84%
20.25 mm0.7972"84%
20.5 mm0.8071"73%
13/160.8125"67%Soft matl.
20.75 mm0.8169"63%
21.0 mm0.8268"52%
53/640.8281"51%Hard matl.

Form (roll) tap: drill 27/32 (0.8438") for about 64% thread. Form taps displace metal instead of cutting it, so they need a larger hole than a cut tap, aimed here at 65% thread.

Cut-tap thread percentage = 76.98 × TPI × (major − drill), in inches. Smaller drills leave more thread but raise tapping torque; above about 75% the extra strength is small. Form tap drill = major − 0.0068 × thread % × pitch.

Tap drill & clearance hole chart

Printable tap drill chart (PDF)Every inch and metric size, ready to print, plus drill decimal equivalents
Browse all 99 sizes

Contact

Wrong value, missing size, or supplier request? contact@tapandclearance.com