Same 75% rule: tap drill ≈ major − 1/TPI. Because the pitch is smaller than UNF, the tap drill is larger. A 1/4-32 UNEF is not interchangeable with 1/4-28 UNF or 1/4-20 UNC — confirm extra-fine on the print before you tap.
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.
| Size | TPI | Tap drill | Clearance (normal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4-32 UNEF | 32 | 5.6 mm (0.2205 in) | 7.1 mm |
| 5/16-32 UNEF | 32 | 7.1 mm (0.2795 in) | 8.7 mm |
| 3/8-32 UNEF | 32 | 8.7 mm (0.3425 in) | 10.4 mm |
| 1/2-28 UNEF | 28 | 11.8 mm (0.4646 in) | 13.7 mm |
| 5/8-24 UNEF | 24 | 14.8 mm (0.5827 in) | 17.1 mm |
| 3/4-20 UNEF | 20 | 17.8 mm (0.7008 in) | 20.4 mm |
| 1-20 UNEF | 20 | 24.1 mm (0.9488 in) | 27.1 mm |
How we use this in the toolroom
UNEF shows up on thin bosses and optical hardware, not on die clamps. If a 1/4 bolt will not start in a UNF hole, check TPI before you force it — extra-fine is a different thread.
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, 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, BSF chart.