UNEF - Unified extra-fine

5/8-24 UNEF

Tap drill 37/64" for a 5/8-24 UNEF thread - major Ø 15.875 mm, pitch 1.058 mm (24 TPI).

Tap drill
37/64"
14.68 mm · ≈87% thread

Profile

Thread form & key diameters

Major Ø 15.875 mmP 1.058 mm60°Minor Ø 14.577 mm · Pitch Ø 15.188 mm5/8-24 UNEF24 TPI · 60° form

Dimensions

Dimensions, drill sizes and wrench sizes for 5/8-24 UNEF.
Designation5/8-24 UNEF
Major (outside) diameter15.875 mm · 0.625"
Pitch1.058 mm · 24 TPI
Pitch diameter15.188 mm · 0.5979"
Minor diameter (external)14.577 mm · 0.5739"
Minor diameter (internal)14.729 mm · 0.5799"
Recommended tap drill37/64" · 14.68 mm · ≈87% thread
Clearance holeClose 41/64" · Normal 21/32" · Loose 11/16" - nominal + 1/64" / 1/32" / 1/16" to the nearest standard drill (common shop practice).
Hex head (across flats)15/16"
Socket key (across flats)1/2"

Close 41/64" · Normal 21/32" · Loose 11/16" - nominal + 1/64" / 1/32" / 1/16" to the nearest standard drill (common shop practice).

Tightening torque estimate

Target preload is 75% of proof load; torque is estimated from T = K · F · d.

Proof-load preload and estimated tightening torque for 5/8-24 UNEF by fastener grade or property class.
Grade / classStress areaPreloadTorque
SAE Grade 20.2682 in²11065 lbf115 lb·ft · 1383 lb·in
SAE Grade 50.2682 in²17100 lbf178 lb·ft · 2138 lb·in
SAE Grade 80.2682 in²24141 lbf251 lb·ft · 3018 lb·in

Strengths are SAE J429 for this diameter band. J429 steps down with size: Grade 2 falls to 33 ksi proof above 3/4 in and Grade 5 to 74 ksi above 1 in, so these figures are not the small-size values. The Grade 2 row applies to bolts up to 6 in long; a longer Grade 2 bolt of the same diameter drops to 33 ksi proof.

These figures assume a nut factor of K = 0.20 (dry / as-received steel). K captures thread and head friction and can swing torque by 30% or more - a lubricated joint needs noticeably less. Change the lubrication assumption in the bolt-torque calculator.

Put 5/8-24 UNEF on a job sheet

The bolt schedule collects the fasteners for one job onto a single sheet - tap drill, wrench size, grade and tightening torque on every line, taken straight from pages like this one. Free schedules hold 3 lines and are saved in this browser only.

Open bolt schedule

What tap drill do I need for 5/8-24 UNEF?

For a 5/8-24 UNEF thread, drill the hole with a 37/64" tap drill (14.68 mm) before tapping. That produces roughly 87% thread engagement, the usual target for a strong, tappable hole. The mating bolt has a major diameter of 15.875 mm and a pitch of 1.058 mm (24 TPI).

To pass a 5/8-24 UNEF bolt through a part rather than thread it, use a clearance hole: Close 41/64" · Normal 21/32" · Loose 11/16" - nominal + 1/64" / 1/32" / 1/16" to the nearest standard drill (common shop practice)..

All values are generated from the standard thread formulas (ISO 68-1 / ASME B1.1) and published standard tables - not hand-entered. See the full reference.

Frequently asked questions

What drill size do I need to tap a 5/8-24 UNEF thread?

Drill 37/64" (14.68 mm) before tapping 5/8-24 UNEF. That leaves roughly 87% thread engagement, the usual target for a strong hole that still taps cleanly.

Is 5/8-24 UNEF a coarse or fine thread?

5/8-24 UNEF is a Unified extra-fine (UNEF) thread at 24 threads per inch, used for thin-wall parts, short thread engagement and fine adjustment.

What size clearance hole does a 5/8-24 UNEF bolt need?

Close 41/64" · Normal 21/32" · Loose 11/16" - nominal + 1/64" / 1/32" / 1/16" to the nearest standard drill (common shop practice). A clearance hole lets the 5/8-24 UNEF bolt pass through the part instead of threading into it.

How much torque should I use on a 5/8-24 UNEF bolt?

Estimated tightening torque for 5/8-24 UNEF runs from 115 lb·ft (SAE Grade 2) to 251 lb·ft (SAE Grade 8), targeting 75% of proof load with a dry nut factor of K = 0.20. Lubricated threads need noticeably less torque.

Same diameter

Other 5/8" threads

Closest metric sizes

Metric equivalents for 5/8-24 UNEF

Nearest standard metric sizes by major diameter. These are substitutes by size only - the thread forms are not interchangeable, so never run one into the other.

Nearby sizes

More unef - unified extra-fine threads