Screws Specification

Screws specs
The size of a metric screw or bolt is specified as diameter, pitch and length, in
millimeters (millimeters is abbreviated "mm"). For nuts, size will appear as diameter
and pitch. There is an exception though—if pitch isn't specified, the fastener is coarse
threaded. Consider this size…
M8-1.0 x 20
Here's what the description means…
M = Metric thread designation
8 = Nominal diameter, in millimeters
1.0 = Pitch (distance from thread to thread), in millimeters
20 = Length, in millimeters (see below)
This example illustrates how a coarse threaded screw may appear…
M12 x 25 = 12 mm diameter, coarse thread is assumed (1.75 mm), 25 mm long
M12 is a matching coarse threaded nut
(To avoid confusion, we always include the thread pitch for both coarse and fine
metric fasteners.)
If you normally work with inch fasteners, pitch can be a little confusing—pitch is the
distance between adjacent threads. In the example above, a pitch of 1.0 means that
from one thread to the next thread, the distance is 1.0 millimeter. Inch fasteners are
described as threads per inch, which is sometimes mistakenly called pitch. If you
need to know the threads per inch of a metric fastener, first convert pitch from
millimeters to inches (multiply by 0.03937), then divide 1 by that number. Or, use the
table below…
Table 1. Fastener thread

pitch in millimeters and
inches.
Pitch Pitch Threads
(mm) (inches) per Inch
0.2 0.0079 127.00
0.25 0.0098 101.60
0.3 0.0118 84.67
0.35 0.0138 72.57
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Understanding Metric Fasteners - Fastener Mart https://www.fastenermart.com/understanding-metric-fasteners.html
0.4 0.0157 63.50

0.45 0.0177 56.44
0.5 0.0197 50.80
0.6 0.0236 42.33
0.7 0.0276 36.29
0.75 0.0295 33.87
0.8 0.0315 31.75
1.0 0.0394 25.40
1.25 0.0492 20.32
1.5 0.0591 16.93
1.75 0.0689 14.51
2.0 0.0787 12.70
2.5 0.0984 10.16
3.0 0.1181 8.47
3.5 0.1378 7.26
4.0 0.1575 6.35
4.5 0.1772 5.64
5.0 0.1969 5.08
5.5 0.2165 4.62
6.0 0.2362 4.23
Metric fasteners are usually classified as either coarse or fine, referring to their thread
pitch, although some sizes are available in an extra fine thread. Coarse metric
fasteners, when compared to standard "inch" fasteners (those commonly used in
North America), tend to be less coarse—their threads are more closely spaced—for a
comparable size. Fine metric fasteners can be more or less fine, depending on size.
Coarse is the most common metric thread and, as we've mentioned, coarse is
assumed when pitch isn't specified. See the table below…
Table 2. Comparison of metric and inch

fastener threads.
Pitch Threads
Size Series Thread
(inches) per Inch
M14-2.0 Metric Coarse 0.079 12.7
9/16-12 Inch Coarse 0.083 12
M14-1.5 Metric Fine 0.059 16.9
9/16-18 Inch Fine 0.056 18
M3.5-0.6 Metric Coarse 0.024 42.3
6-32 Inch Coarse 0.031 32
M3.5-0.35 Metric Fine 0.014 72.6
6-40 Inch Fine 0.025 40
The threads of an M14-2.0 screw, which is coarse, are spaced 0.079 inches (2.0 mm).
A 9/16-12 screw, which is comparable in diameter and is also coarse, has its threads
spaced 0.083 inches, which are farther apart, so there will be fewer threads per unit
of measure (we used an inch in the table above). The same goes for a coarse M3.5-0.6
and a 6-32 screw—the threads of the 6-32 are more widely spaced so, again, it will
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have fewer threads for the same length. (M3.5-0.6 and M3.5-.6 are exactly the same—
the "0" is included to make sure that the decimal point isn't missed.)
When you look at fine M14-1.5 and 9/16-18 fasteners, however, the 9/16-18 is finer—
it has more threads per inch. But the M3.5-0.35 has close to double the number of
threads per inch of a 6-40, so its threads are very closely spaced (0.014 inches, or
0.35 mm).
The table below compares various metric sizes to the closest inch equivalent…
Table 3. Comparison of
metric and inch fastener
sizes.
Metric Closest Inch
M1.4-0.3 0-80 (Larger)
M2-0.4 1-64 (Smaller)
M2.5-0.45 3-56 (Larger)
M3-0.5 4-48 (Smaller)
M3.5-0.6 6-40 (Same)
M4-0.7 8-36 (Larger)
M5-0.8 10-32 (Smaller)
M6-1.0 1/4-28 (Larger)
M7-1.0 1/4-28 (Smaller)
M8-1.25 5/16-18 (Smaller)
M10-1.5 3/8-16 (Smaller)
M12-1.75 1/2-13 (Larger)
M14-2.0 9/16-12 (Larger)
M16-2.0 5/8-11 (Smaller)
M18-2.5 3/4-10 (Larger)
M20-2.5 3/4-10 (Smaller)
M22-2.5 7/8-9 (Larger)
M24-3.0 1-8 (Larger)
M30-3.5 1 1/8-7 (Smaller)
M36-4.0 1 3/8-6 (Smaller)
Length is measured the same as inch fasteners, except in millimeters. For button,
cheese, hex, pan, socket and low socket heads, measure length from under the head.
For flat heads, length includes head height. Measure oval heads from the largest
diameter point—where the dome top meets the conical bearing surface—to the tip.
Metric fasteners are commonly manufactured to meet standards set by DIN - German
Institute for Standardization or ISO - International Organization for Standardization.
Consequently, they are referred to by the applicable standard number. You may also
see JIS - Japanese Industrial Standard and ANSI - American National Standards
Institute specified. Following is a table of common DIN and ISO numbers and a brief
description of the fastener…
Table 4. Descriptions of DIN and ISO designations.

No. Description
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DIN 84 Slotted Cheese Head Machine Screw

DIN 85 Slotted Pan Head Machine Screw
DIN 94 Cotter Pin
DIN 125A Flat Washer (without Chamfer)
DIN 125B Flat Washer (with Chamfer)
DIN 127B Split Lock Washer
DIN 137B Spring Wave Washer
DIN 315 Wing Nut
DIN 439B Machine Screw Hex Nut, Finished Hex Jam Nut
DIN 911 Long Arm Hex Key
DIN 912 Hex Socket Head Cap Screw
DIN 916 Hex Socket Set Screw
DIN 931 Hex Head Cap Screw Partially Threaded
DIN 933 Hex Head Cap Screw Fully Threaded
DIN 934 Finished Hex Nut
DIN 939 Double End Stud
DIN 960 Hex Head Cap Screw Partially Threaded
DIN 961 Hex Head Cap Screw Fully Threaded
DIN 963 Slotted Flat Head Machine Screw
DIN 964 Slotted Oval Head Machine Screw
DIN 965 Phillips Flat Head Machine Screw
DIN 966 Phillips Oval Head Machine Screw
DIN 975 Threaded Rod
DIN 980V Hex Steel Prevailing Torque Lock Nut
DIN 985 Hex Nylon Insert Lock Nut
DIN 6334 Rod Coupling Nut
DIN 6797A External Tooth Lock Washer
DIN 6797J Internal Tooth Lock Washer
DIN 6912 Hex Low Socket Head Cap Screw
DIN 6921 Hex Flange Head Screw
DIN 6923 Hex Flange Nut
ISO 7379 Hex Socket Head Shoulder Screw
ISO 7380 Hex Button Socket Head Cap Screw
DIN 7985 Phillips Pan Head Machine Screw
DIN 7991 Hex Flat Socket Head Cap Screw
Note: If you know the DIN or ISO number of the fastener you're looking for, you can
use our search function to locate it quickly.
Remember these tips about metric fasteners…
Diameter: the larger the number, the larger the fastener

Pitch: the larger the number, the more coarse the thread (the fewer the threads
per unit of measure); coarse is the most common metric thread and is assumed
when pitch isn't specified
Length: the larger the number, the longer the fastener
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Screws Specification

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Screws specs

Here's what the description means…

M = Metric thread designation

8 = Nominal diameter, in millimeters

1.0 = Pitch (distance from thread to thread), in millimeters

20 = Length, in millimeters (see below)

This example illustrates how a coarse threaded screw may appear…

M12 x 25 = 12 mm diameter, coarse thread is assumed (1.75 mm), 25 mm long

M12 is a matching coarse threaded nut

Table 1. Fastener thread

0.4 0.0157 63.50

Table 2. Comparison of metric and inch

Table 4. Descriptions of DIN and ISO designations.

DIN 84 Slotted Cheese Head Machine Screw

Remember these tips about metric fasteners…

Diameter: the larger the number, the larger the fastener

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