The tap drill for an M3x0.5 thread is 2.5 mm (0.0984 inch). That is the ISO rule of major diameter minus pitch, 3 - 0.5 = 2.5 mm, which leaves roughly 77% of full thread depth.
Taps and dies for M3x0.5
Which drill gives which percentage of thread?
| Target thread | Ideal drill (in) | Nearest drill | Drill (in) | Actual thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 0.1028 | 2.6 mm | 0.1024 | 61% |
| 65% | 0.1015 | #38 | 0.1015 | 65% |
| 70% | 0.1002 | #39 | 0.0995 | 73% |
| 75% | 0.0989 | 2.5 mm | 0.0984 | 77% |
| 80% | 0.0977 | #40 | 0.0980 | 79% |
What are the M3x0.5 thread dimensions?
| Series | ISO metric coarse pitch |
| Pitch | 0.5 mm pitch (50.80 TPI) |
| Major diameter | 0.1181" / 3.00 mm |
| Basic pitch diameter | 0.1053" / 2.68 mm |
| Basic minor diameter (external) | 0.0925" / 2.35 mm |
| Standard tap drill (about 75%) | 2.5 mm = 0.0984" |
| Clearance, close fit (rule of thumb) | 1/8" = 0.1250" |
| Clearance, free fit (rule of thumb) | 3.4 mm = 0.1339" |
How do you tap M3x0.5 cleanly?
At 3 mm major diameter this is a small tap, and small taps break from torque, not wear. In steel or stainless, going to the next drill size up (about 65% thread) is common practice and costs very little strength. Use a spiral point or spiral flute tap, a tap guide or the drill press to keep it square, and back off to break the chip if you are hand tapping a blind hole.
Other threads at this diameter: M3x0.35.
Drills and cutting fluid for tapping
Frequently asked questions
What size drill for a M3x0.5 tap?
The tap drill for an M3x0.5 thread is 2.5 mm (0.0984 inch). That is the ISO rule of major diameter minus pitch, 3 - 0.5 = 2.5 mm, which leaves roughly 77% of full thread depth. For hard or tough material a slightly larger drill giving about 65% thread taps much more easily; the table on this page lists it.
What size clearance hole for M3x0.5?
For a bolt to pass through, a close fit is about 1/8" (0.1250") and a looser free fit about 3.4 mm (0.1339"). These are rule-of-thumb sizes of about 3% and 8% over the 0.1181" major diameter; use the close fit where location matters and the free fit where parts must line up easily.
What is the minor diameter of M3x0.5?
The basic minor diameter of a M3x0.5 external thread is about 0.0925" (2.35 mm) and the basic pitch diameter about 0.1053" (2.68 mm). An internal thread's minor diameter is set by the tap drill, which is why the drill decides how much thread is cut.
Nearby thread sizes
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Tap drills per the standard 75% thread convention used by published charts. Clearance sizes are rules of thumb, not ASME B18.2.8 values. Not professional advice.