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AMERICAN N A T I O N AS LT A N D A R D

Preferred Metric Sizes for

Round, Square, Rectangle
and Hexagon Metal Products

ANSI B32.4M - 1980

(REVISION OF ANSI B32.4-1977)
, ~- - ~ . F

1 REAFFIRMED 1994
FOR CURRENT COMMITTEE PERSONNEL
PLEASE SEE ASME MANUAL AS-1 1

SECRETARIAT
THEAMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

P U B L I S H E D BY

T H EA M E R I C A NS O C I E T Y OF M E C H A N I C A LE N G I N E E R S

United
Engineering
Center 3 4 5 E a s t 47th
Street N e w York, N. Y. 1001 7
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Date of issuance: June 15.1980

No part of this document may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic

retrieval system orotherwise, without the prior written permission of the
publisher.

Copyright 0 1980 by
THE AMERICAN SOCIETYOF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
All Rights Reserved
Printed in U.S.A.
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FOREWORD

The U.S. Department of Commerce in its July 1971 report to Congress titled “A Metric America-A
decision whose time has come” recommended that the United States should change to the metric system
through a coordinated national program. This action along with subsequent increased metric activity in in-
dustry resulted in a number of requests from producers and users that the B32 committee develop preferred
series of metric sizes for thevarious forms of wrought mill metal products.
On January 17, 1973 Subcommittees 1 and 2 were formed to establish preferred metric sizes of flat
and round metal products respectively. Subsequently Subcommittee 2 had its scope enlarged to include
square and hexagon products. Subcommittee 4 was formed on October 24, 1973, to consider tubular
products. These committees are composed of representatives of the major metal trade associations and user
groups.
After several meetings, unanimous agreement was reached by Subcommittee 2 on the preferred metric
sizes for round, square and hexagon wrought metal products. These considerations guided the committee:
preferred number sizes included in IS0 recommendations R 388, sizes actually used in metric countries,
and rounded metric equivalents of high activity inch sizes used in the United States.
Sizes in Table 3 agree in all instances with hexagon metric fastener sizes.
The proposal received Standards Committee B32 approval onJune 4, 1974.It was subsequently
approved by the sponsor and submitted to the American National Standards Institute for designation as an
American National Standard. This was granted on July 9, 1974.
The First Edition was very favorably received and the dynamic metrication planning activity which it
generated prompted the Committee to expand the coverage. Requests were received to issue separate tables
for squares and hexagons and to establish a series of preferred lengths within the limits ofTables 1 , 2 and 3
which are supplied in straight lengths. This was done after due deliberation. In addition fourteen third
preference diameters were added.
The. Second Edition proposal received Standards Committee B32 approval on August 17,.1976, and
was approved as an American National Standard on April 7, 1977.
The Third Edition incorporates rectangles not previously covered in ANSI B32.3. This proposal re-
ceived Standards Committee B32 approval on December 10, 1979and was approved as an American
National Standard on April 14, 1980.

iii
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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE B32
Standardization of Metal and Metal Alloy Wrought Mill Product Nominal Sizes
(The following is the roster of the committee at the time
of the approval of the standard)

OFFICERS

Arthur Cohen, Chairman

R. J. Henke, Secretary

AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION O F AMERICA

J. A. Fedorochko, General Electric Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
J. P. Reese, Alternate, Aerospace Industries Association of America, Washington, D.C.

ALUMINUM ASSOCIATION, THE

B. M. Peak, Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
J. W. Barr, Alternate, The Aluminum Association,New York, New York
AMERICAN IRON & STEEL INSTITUTE
N. B. Jusrer, Inland Steel Company, Chicago, Illinois
D. E. Ballanfyne, U.S. Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR METALS
R. B. Liss, Caterpillar Tractor Company, Peoria, Illinois
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, THE
A. R. Machell, Jr., Xerox Corp., Rochester, New York
COLD FINISHED STEEL BAR INSTITUTE
M. D. Ofraviani, Teledyne Columbia-Summerill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

COPPER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.

Arthur Cohen, Copper Development Association, New York, New York
ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION
E. C. Slick, Sylvania Electric Products, Inc., Warren, Pennsylvania
FARM & INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT INSTITUTE
R. J. Christ, Deere & Company, Moline, Illinois

GAS APPLIANCE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

C. A. Reichelderfer, Dunham-Bush, Inc., Harrisonburg, Virginia
J. P. Langmead, Alternate, Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, Inc., Arlington, Virginia

METAL CUTTING TOOL INSTITUTE

R. M. Byme, Metal Cutting Tool Institute,New York, New York
MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
J. E. Howkins, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan
J. A. Rockwell, Alternate, Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association, Detroit,Michigan

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURERSASSOCIATION

J. F. Prengaman, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
William Gerrish, Alternate, National Electrical Manufacturers Association,New York, New York
NATIONAL SCREW MACHINE PRODUCT'S ASSOCIATION
H. A. Eichsfaedt, National Screw Machine Products Association, Cleveland, Ohio

V
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SHEET METAL & AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY, INC.
T. J. Wnne, Jr., Universal Sheet Metal Corporation, New York; New York
SHEET METAL & AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS’ NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
W.S. Clements, Industrial Contractors, Inc., Evansville, Indiana
John Stratton, Alternate, Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, Inc., Vienna, Virginia
SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS
E. J. Streicbert, General Motors Corporation, Warren, Michigan
SOCIETY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS
G. W. Kurasz, Associated Spring Corporation, Bristol, Connecticut
SPECIALTYWIRE ASSOCIATION
R. E. Lee, Madison Wire Company, Inc., Buffalo, New York
STEEL SERVICE CENTER INSTITUTE
L. T. Johnston, Central Steel 81Wire Company, Chicago, Illinois
TELEPHONE GROUP, THE
R. J. Hibbeln, Western Electric Company, Chicago, Illinois
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENTOF THE ARMY
M. E. Taylor, U.S.Army Armament Research and Development Command, Dover, New Jersey
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENTOF COMMERCE
D. S. Bettwy, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENTOF THE NAVY
Kee J. Pon, Naval Ship Systems Command, Washington, D.C.

SUBCOMMITTEE 2
ROUND, SQUARE 81 HEXAGON METALPRODUCTS

E. J. Srfeicbeff, Cbairman, General Motors Technical Center, Warren, Michigan

Arthur Coben, Copper Development Association, Inc., New York, New York
W.J. Derner, FMC Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana
H. A. Eicbstaedt, National Screw MachineProducts Association, Cleveland, Ohio
K. L. Heim, Xerox Corporation, Webster, New York
G. A. Hunr, Zenith Screw Company, Ltd., Rexdale, Ontario, Canada
L. T. Johnston, Central Steel & Wire Company, Chicago, Illinois
F. V. Kupchak, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
R. E. Lee, Madison Wire Company, Inc., Buffalo, New York
R. B. Liss, Caterpillar Tractor Company, Peoria, Illinois
M. D. Ottaviani, Teledyne Columbia-Summerill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
B. M. pleak, Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
R. B. Wallse, U.S. Steel Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

vi
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ANSI B32.4M-1980

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

PREFERRED METRIC SIZESFOR ROUND, SQUARE, RECTANGLE

AND HEXAGON METALPRODUCTS

1. SCOPE However, for general purpose applications, or where

This standard establishes preferred series of metric requirements permit some latitude in the selection of
sizes, the simplified preferred sizes given in this stan-
sizes for round, square, rectangle and hexagon metal
products. dard should facilitate interchangeability of metals in
design, reduceinventories, and increasethe availability
in warehouse stocks of those sizes commonly used for
2. GENERAL general purpose applications. In such instances the
The sizes in this Standard provide an orderly series use of sizes listed in this standard is to be encouraged.
of sizes for each of four forms of metal products All the sizes included in this standard are not nec-
used for general purpose applications. The series were essarily produced in all metals and grades. Producers
developed to provide a reasonable selection of metal or distributors must be consulted to determine avail-
diameters from 0.020 to 320 millimeters for rounds ability of a particular size for a given metal product.
and distance across flats from 3 to 300 millimeters
for squares, various cross section sizes from 1.6 by 10 3. USE OF TABLE
to 100 by 200 millimeters for rectangles, and from Wherever possiblesizes should beselected from
1.5 to 150 millimeters for hexagons. The series pro- the column headed “Preferred Sizes”. Only if no size
vides for some second and third preference diameters in the preferred list is suitable should a selection be
for rounds and second preference distance across flats made from the columns headed “Second Preference
for squares and hexagons where selection from the Sizes”,and“Third Preference Sizes”as applicable.
primary preferred sizesmaybe inadequate. No sec-
ond preference sizesare listed for rectangles. The 4. BASIS OF TABLES
series also provides for preferred lengths of rounds, Most of the preferred sizes are derived from the 10
squares, rectangles and hexagons. Sufficient coverage series of preferred numbers (American National Stan-
inlogical steps is presented in the tables to ade- dard Preferred Numbers, 217.1-1973). A fewsizes
quately serve most of the general purpose require- are derived from the 20 and 40 series.
ments of industry for round, square, rectangleand Most of the second preference sizesarederived
hexagon metal products. from the 20 seriespreferred numbers. Third prefer-
ence sizes when included are generally derived from
It is recognized that for some applications, partic-
the 40 series preferred numbers.
ularly large volume requirements in some metals for
specific end uses,preciseengineering requirements Some deviations from the preferred series occur as
dictate a need for sizes other than those presented in the result of rounding and as the result of demon-
this standard. This Standard is in no way meant to strated or anticipated need for sizes other than those
preclude the use of such sizes wherethey are required. which follow the above preferred series.

1
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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
PREFERRED METRICSIZES FOR ROUND,
SQUARE, RECTANGLE AND HEXAGON METAL PRODUCTS ANSI B32.4M-1980

Table 1 - Preferred Diameters of Round Metal Products (in millimeters)

Second Third Second Third
Preferred Preference
Preference
Preference Preference
Sizes Sizes
Sizes Sizes Sizes Size
?

0.020 7.O
0.022 7.5
0.025 8 .o
0.028 8.5
0.030 9 .o
0.035 9.5
0.040 10
0.045 11
0.050 12
0.055 13
0.060 14
0.065 15
0.070 16
0.080 17
0.090 18
0.10 19
0.1 1 20
0.12 21
0.14 22
0.16 23
0.18 24
0.20 25
0.22 26
0.25 28
0.28 30
0.30 32
0.35 35
0.40 36
0.45 38
0.50 40
0.55 42
0.60 45
0.65 48
0.70 50
0.80 55
0.90 60
1 .o 65
1.1 70
1.2 75
1.3 80
1.4 85
1.6 90
1.8 95
2.0 100
2.1 110
2.2 120
2.4 130
2.5 140
2.6 150
2.8 160
3.0 170
3.2 180
3.5 190
3.8 200
4.0 220
4.2 250
4.5 280
4.8 300
5.0 320
5.5
6.0
6.5

2
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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
PREFERRED METRIC SIZES FOR ROUND,
SQUARE, RECTANGLE AND HEXAGON METAL PRODUCTS ANSI B32.4M-1980

Table 2 -
Preferred Across Flat Sizes of
Square Metal Products (in millimeters)
~~ ~

Second Preference
Preferred Sizes
Sizes

3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
8.0
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
25
28
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
140
160
180
200
220
250
300

3
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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
PREFERRED METRICSIZES FOR ROUND,
SQUARE, RECTANGLE AND HEXAGON METAL
PRODUCTS ANSI 632.4M-1980

Table 3 - Preferred Across Flat Sizes of Hexagon

Metal Products (in millimeters)

Second Second
Preferred Preference Preferred Preference
Sizes Sizes Sizes Sizes

1.5 22
2 .o 24
2.5 27
3 30
4 32
5 34
5.5 36
6 41
7 46
8 50
10 55
12 60
13 70
14 80
15 90
16 100
17 110
18 120
19 135
21 150

Table 4 -. Preferred Lengths of Round, Square, Rectangle and

Hexagon Metal Products (in millimeters)
Preferred Sizes

1000
2000
2500
3000
3500
3700
4000
4500
5000
6000
8000
10 000
12 000
14 000
16 000
18 000

4
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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
PREFERRED METRIC SIZES FOR ROUND,
SQUARE, RECTANGLE AND HEXAGON METAL PRODUCTS ANSI 632.4M-1980

Table 5 - Preferred Across Flat Sizes of Rectangular Metal Products

(in millimeters)
Preferred Sizes

THICKNESS

5
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