Tap drill ≈ 12.00 − 1.75 = 10.25 mm, issued as 10.2 mm. Fine M12 × 1.5 taps with 10.5 mm; M12 × 1.25 with 10.8 mm. Normal clearance is 13.5 mm. Always match the pitch stamped on the bolt — mixing 1.75 and 1.5 will destroy both parts.
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 12 mm
Pitch 1.75 mm
Tap drill 10.3 mm
Minor Ø 10.106 mm
M12 × 1.75 at a glance
Tap drill vs clearance hole
Tap this hole (then cut the thread): 10.3 mm. Bolt must pass (clearance): 13 mm normal. That is why “M12 × 1.75 drill size” can mean two different holes — this page lists both.
How we use this in the toolroom
Structural joints and hydraulic flanges come in as M12. At this size we prefer a spiral-flute tap or a thread mill in blind holes — a broken tap in a die plate is a long afternoon.
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, M10 × 1.5, 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.