Drill size for an M10 tap (coarse) is 8.5 mm: 10.00 − 1.50 = 8.50 mm. Fine M10 × 1.25 uses 8.8 mm; M10 × 1 uses 9.0 mm. Normal clearance is 11 mm. Minor diameter for an internal coarse thread is about 8.38 mm.
Common metric tap drills: M3 tap drill size · M6 tap drill 5.0 mm · M8 tap drill size · M10 tap drill 8.5 mm · M12 tap drill 10.2 mm · M24 tap drill 21.0 mm.
Formula
Major Ø 10 mm
Pitch 1.5 mm
Tap drill 8.5 mm
Minor Ø 8.376 mm
M10 × 1.5 at a glance
Tap drill vs clearance hole
Tap this hole (then cut the thread): 8.5 mm. Bolt must pass (clearance): 10.9 mm normal. That is why “M10 × 1.5 drill size” can mean two different holes — this page lists both.
How we use this in the toolroom
Motor feet, guard brackets and lifting eyes on machines we build around are usually M10 coarse. Confirm pitch before you tap — M10 × 1.25 on a thin boss is easy to mix up with 1.5.
Accurate Industries in Pune still looks these sizes up the same way: tap drill ≈ major − pitch, then a clearance hole for the bolt. AlwaysReach is that chart in the browser — our story.
Full metric and imperial lookup lives on the thread & tap drill calculator. After tapping, check a locational bore on the ISO tolerance calculator. Other pages: M8 × 1.25, M12 × 1.75, M6 × 1, M16 × 2, M4 × 0.7, M5 × 0.8, 1/4-20 UNC, M3 × 0.5, M20 × 2.5, M24 × 3, 5/16-18 UNC, 3/8-16 UNC, 1/2-13 UNC, UNC chart, UNF chart, BSW chart, UNEF chart, BSF chart.