Metric coarse · cutting tap · nominal dimensions

M16 × 2
tap drill size.

For M16 × 2, the reference drill is 14 mm: 0.5512 in (14.000 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 Published
Calibrated relative diameter · 1 in reference
Manufacturer-published 75% row
14 mm
0.5512 in · 14.000 mm
Calculates to77.0%theoretical full thread
70% target0.5583 in14.181 mm
75% target0.5532 in14.051 mm
Where this drill sits from 0 to 1 inch
14 mm · 14.000 mm on a zero to 25.4 millimetre scale. Neighbor marks: 35/64, 9/16.
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 M16 × 2 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 0.5512 IN / 14.000 MM PITCH P = 2.000 MM 60° INTERNAL THREAD / WORKPIECE MATING EXTERNAL THREAD — BASIC PROFILE SCHEMATIC · PROFILE DIFFERENCE EXAGGERATED 77.0% 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 14 mm
BitSystemDiameterDeltaCalculated full thread
35/64 fractional 35/64 in / 13.891 mm -0.0043 in 81.2%
9/16 fractional 9/16 in / 14.287 mm +0.0113 in 65.9%
17/32 fractional 17/32 in / 13.494 mm -0.0199 in 96.5%
37/64 fractional 37/64 in / 14.684 mm +0.0269 in 50.6%
33/64 fractional 33/64 in / 13.097 mm -0.0356 in 111.7%
13 mm metric 0.5118 in / 13 mm -0.0394 in 115.5%
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 cross-checked.

Tap-drill row: Rows tagged with this source were matched to a named 65% or 75% cutting-tap column. The discrete drill can calculate to a slightly different percentage from nominal dimensions.

Open Guhring 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.