5/8″-18 UNF Thread

Recommended tap drill 37/64″
Tap drill Ø 0.5781″ / 14.684 mm
Major Ø 0.6250″ / 15.875 mm
Threads per inch 18

The chart recommendation gives approximately 65% thread engagement — the conventional target for average materials. It is not the only valid choice; see the options below.

Specification

Designation5/8″-18 UNF
Thread familyUnified National Fine (UNF)
Nominal size5/8
Basic major diameter 0.6250″ / 15.875 mm
Threads per inch / pitch18 TPI (1.411 mm pitch)
Recommended tap drill 37/64″ (0.5781″ / 14.684 mm)
P = 0.0556″ (18 TPI) 60° major Ø 0.6250″ 60° thread form (UN / ISO) — schematic

Tap drill options by thread engagement

Any of these standard drills produces a usable engagement for 5/8″-18 UNF; smaller drills give stronger threads but higher tapping torque. Percentages use the conventional approximation (60° thread form).

14.5 mm 75% 37/64″ ★ 65% shaded = share of the full thread height the tap forms · accent line = drilled hole wall
★ = chart recommendation. A smaller drill leaves more of the thread height for the tap to form.
Drill Decimal in mm Approx. engagement
14.5 mm 0.5709 14.5 75%
37/64″ — chart recommendation 0.5781 14.684 65%

Nearest drills to the tap drill in other systems

Drill Size vs 37/64″ Resulting engagement
14.5 mm 0.5709″ / 14.5 mm −0.184 mm 75%

Clearance holes

For a bolt or screw of this size to pass through freely. Recommended drills per ASME B18.2.8: close, normal, and loose fits.

Tapped hole Clearance hole 37/64" tap drill threads cut into the material 11/16" (normal fit) the tinted gap lets the bolt pass freely
Schematic — proportions exaggerated for clarity; use the table values.
Fit Drill / Ø Decimal in mm
close 21/32″ 0.6563 16.669
normal 11/16″ 0.6875 17.462
loose 47/64″ 0.7344 18.653

Hex bolt & nut dimensions

For a standard hex cap screw (ASME B18.2.1) and finished hex nut (ASME B18.2.2) in this size.

Wrench / socket size (bolt head) 15/16″
Head height 25/64″ (0.3906″)
Nut thickness 35/64″ (0.5469″)
Compatible nut 5/8-18 hex nut
Head — top view Bolt — side view Nut — side view width across flats = 15/16″ wrench head height 25/64″ thickness 35/64″

Basic (nominal) dimensions. See the wrench & socket size charts for all sizes and the metric ↔ SAE socket comparison.

Related threads

Data provenance. ASME B1.1, Unified Inch Screw Threads (ASME). Machinery’s Handbook — tap drill charts (Industrial Press). ASME B18.2.8, Clearance Holes for Bolts, Screws, and Studs (ASME). ASME B18.2.1, Hex Cap Screws (head dimensions) (ASME). ASME B18.2.2, Finished Hex Nuts (ASME). Engagement percentages use the conventional approximation (engagement = (major − drill) ÷ (1.29904 × pitch)) and are guidance, not a tolerance specification. See all data sources.