M6 tap drill size is 5.0 mm (6.00 − 1.00) — that is the M6 tapping drill, tap drill m6, and drill size for an M6 tap. M6 tap pitch is 1.0 mm coarse. Do not mix this with clearance: tap hole size for M6 so the bolt passes is 6.6 mm close, 7.0 mm normal, 8.0 mm loose. In thin aluminium, consider a helical coil insert and drill to the insert’s specified size instead of 5.0 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 6 mm
Pitch 1 mm
Tap drill 5 mm
Minor Ø 4.917 mm
M6 × 1 at a glance
Tap drill vs clearance hole
Tap this hole (then cut the thread): 5 mm. Bolt must pass (clearance): 6.7 mm normal. That is why “M6 × 1 drill size” can mean two different holes — this page lists both.
How we use this in the toolroom
M6 is the everyday machine-screw on guards, sensors and linear-rail stops. In aluminium plate we almost always use a helical insert rather than a raw 5.0 mm tap.
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, M12 × 1.75, 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.