UNC · cutting tap · nominal dimensions

5/8-11 UNC
tap drill size.

For 5/8-11 UNC, the reference drill is 17/32: 0.5313 in (13.494 mm).

The reference value is kept separate from the 70% and 75% calculated targets. Actual fit still depends on thread class, tool, material, runout, and the hole you really make.

Reference drill Provisional
Calibrated relative diameter · 1 in reference
Provisional reference — row-level source not closed
17/32
0.5313 in · 13.494 mm
Calculates to79.4%theoretical full thread
70% target0.5423 in13.775 mm
75% target0.5364 in13.625 mm
Where this drill sits from 0 to 1 inch
17/32 · 13.494 mm on a zero to 25.4 millimetre scale. Neighbor marks: 33/64, 35/64.
0 25.4 mm

Detail A · basic 60° profile

What the percentage describes.

“Theoretical full thread %” is radial thread height from nominal geometry. It is not axial engagement length and not a fit-class acceptance measurement.

Axial section of 5/8-11 UNC Schematic 60-degree internal and external thread profiles with the common chart drill line and basic internal minor-diameter reference. Differences are exaggerated for explanation. BASIC INTERNAL MINOR-DIAMETER REFERENCE · 83.3% CHART DRILL Ø 0.5313 IN / 13.494 MM PITCH P = 2.309 MM 60° INTERNAL THREAD / WORKPIECE MATING EXTERNAL THREAD — BASIC PROFILE SCHEMATIC · PROFILE DIFFERENCE EXAGGERATED 79.4% THEORETICAL FULL THREAD
The 83.3% line is a basic-profile reference—not a universal interference switch. Actual fit depends on the internal and external thread profiles, class, tolerances, tap, and real hole.

Real drill alternatives

Neighboring sizes.

These are diameter neighbors, not silent recommendations. A positive delta makes a larger hole and a lower nominal theoretical percentage; a negative delta does the opposite.

Nearest nominal bits to 17/32
BitSystemDiameterDeltaCalculated full thread
33/64 fractional 33/64 in / 13.097 mm -0.0156 in 92.6%
35/64 fractional 35/64 in / 13.891 mm +0.0156 in 66.2%
13 mm metric 0.5118 in / 13 mm -0.0194 in 95.8%
12.9 mm metric 0.5079 in / 12.9 mm -0.0234 in 99.2%
12.8 mm metric 0.5039 in / 12.8 mm -0.0273 in 102.5%
1/2 fractional 1/2 in / 12.700 mm -0.0312 in 105.8%
Optional spatial explanation SCHEMATIC · NOT TO SCALE

Why 3D is useful here

A thread is a helix, not a row of triangles.

Load a draggable cutaway to see the continuous internal thread. Exact diameter and profile comparisons remain in the 2D drawing above.

Evidence and limits

Why this row says provisional.

Tap-drill row: A familiar chart or D-minus-pitch value that was not closed against a single row in the selected OSG/Guhring public tables. Kept visible for audit, never labeled normative or manufacturer-published.

Open Drill Bit Size Chart source

60° geometry: Public primary reference for Unified and metric 60-degree thread geometry. The percentage-thread equation is a theoretical basic-profile calculation, not a fit or torque guarantee.

Open National Institute of Standards and Technology geometry source

The repository also records 11 source records and a dataset version on every page.