M33×2 Thread Dimensions and Tap Drill

M33×2 is an ISO metric fine-pitch thread: the 33 mm diameter with a 2 mm pitch (12.7 threads per inch) instead of the coarse 3.5 mm of M33×3.5. The thread is 0.81 mm shallower, so the tensile stress area rises from 694 to 761 mm² (10% more) and the lead angle falls from 2.08° to 1.15°.

Thread profile

major Ø33 mm10 threads = 20 mm
M33×2 drawn to scale: 38 threads in 75.6 mm of length.
60°Nut (internal thread)Bolt (external thread)P = 2 mmmajor Ø d33.000 mmpitch Ø d231.701 mmminor Ø D130.835 mm5H/8 = 1.083 mmthread axis
Basic profile with the M33×2 dimensions. The nut and bolt share the same pitch diameter.

M33×2 basic dimensions

Dimensionmmin
Major diameter d = D33.0001.2992
Pitch P2.0000.0787
Pitch diameter d2 = D231.7011.2481
Minor diameter, internal thread D130.8351.2140
Minor diameter, external thread d330.5461.2026
Height of fundamental triangle H1.7320.0682
Thread height, internal (5H/8)1.0830.0426
Thread height, external (17H/24)1.2270.0483
Crest flat of external thread (P/8)0.2500.0098
Crest flat of internal thread (P/4)0.5000.0197
PropertyValue
Threads per inch12.70
Flank angle60° (30° each side)
Lead angle at the pitch diameter1.15°
Tensile stress area As761 mm² (1.18 in²)

Basic (nominal) sizes per ISO 724, before tolerances. d3 is the root diameter of a bolt with the rounded root that ISO 898-1 uses for the stress area.

M33×2 tolerance limits (6g bolt, 6H nut)

6g and 6H are the general-purpose tolerance classes for commercial screws and nuts. The 6g screw has a fundamental deviation of 38 µm, so even at its largest it sits 0.038 mm below the basic size and leaves room for a thin plating.

External thread 6gMax (mm)Min (mm)Tolerance (mm)
Major diameter d32.96232.6820.280
Pitch diameter d231.66331.4930.170
Internal thread 6HMax (mm)Min (mm)Tolerance (mm)
Minor diameter D131.21030.8350.375
Pitch diameter D231.92531.7010.224

Computed from the ISO 965-1 deviations and tolerances for normal length of engagement; the results match the limits tabulated in ISO 965-2.

M33×2 tap drill size

Tap drill for M33×2: 31 mm

This leaves about 77% thread in the tapped hole.

The rule for metric tap drills is diameter minus pitch: 33 − 2 = 31 mm, which is a stocked drill size.

The 6H minor diameter of the finished nut thread must lie between 30.835 and 31.210 mm. The recommended drill falls inside that band.

Other drills that work for M33×2

A larger drill cuts less thread and taps more easily; a smaller one gives a fuller thread but loads the tap harder.

Drillmmin% threadWithin 6H limitsThread engagement
30.75 mm30.751.210687%no
1-7/32" (1.2188 in)30.961.218879%yes
31 mmrecommended31.001.220577%yes
31.25 mm31.251.230367%no
31.5 mm31.501.240258%no

% thread = (major diameter − drill diameter) ÷ (1.299 × pitch). See the tap drill chart for how to choose a percentage.

Clearance hole for M33

The clearance hole depends only on the 33 mm diameter, not on the pitch. The medium series, 36 mm, is the usual choice for general assembly.

SeriesHole Ø (mm)Hole Ø (in)Clearance on Ø (mm)
Fine (H12)341.33861
Medium (H13)361.41733
Coarse (H14)381.49615

Hole diameters from ISO 273.

M33×2 proof and breaking loads

Loads for steel bolts and screws by property class, from the tensile stress area of 761 mm². The proof load is the highest load the fastener must carry without permanent set.

Property classProof stress (MPa)Min tensile strength (MPa)Proof load (kN)Min breaking load (kN)
4.6225400171304
4.8310420236320
5.6280500213380
5.8380520289396
6.8440600335457
8.8600830457632
10.98301040632791
12.99701220738928

Class 9.8 applies only up to 16 mm and is omitted. Stresses from ISO 898-1:2013 Table 3; As from ISO 898-1. Loads rounded to three significant figures.

M33 pitches compared

All standard pitches on the M33 diameter. A finer pitch gives a shallower thread, a larger core and a smaller lead angle; a coarser pitch is faster to assemble and more tolerant of damage and plating.

M33×3.5depth 1.894 mmM33×3depth 1.624 mmM33×2depth 1.083 mmM33×1.5depth 0.812 mm
M33 pitches at the same scale with crests aligned; M33×2 is outlined.
ThreadPitch (mm)Pitch Ø (mm)Minor Ø D1 (mm)Stress area (mm²)Tap drill
M33×3.53.530.72729.21169429.5 mm
M33×3331.05129.75271630 mm
M33×2231.70130.83576131 mm
M33×1.51.532.02631.37678431.5 mm

When to choose a coarse or a fine thread

Closest inch thread

No inch thread is interchangeable with M33×2. The nearest is 1-1/4-12 UNF, which is 1.25 mm smaller in diameter with a pitch of 2.117 mm against 2.000 mm. A nut may start on the wrong thread and then bind or strip, so identify by both diameter and pitch.

ThreadMajor Ø (mm)Pitch (mm)TPIØ difference (mm)
M33×2 (this thread)33.0002.00012.70—
1-1/4-12 UNF31.7502.11712.00-1.250
1-3/8-12 UNF34.9252.11712.00+1.925
1-5/16-18 UNEF33.3371.41118.00+0.337

Identify a thread from measurements

How the M33×2 dimensions are calculated

Every basic dimension follows from the major diameter and the pitch:

  • P = 2 mm
  • H = 0.866025 × P = 1.732 mm
  • d2 = d − 0.649519 × P = 33 − 1.299 = 31.701 mm
  • D1 = d − 1.082532 × P = 33 − 2.165 = 30.835 mm
  • d3 = d − 1.226869 × P = 33 − 2.454 = 30.546 mm (external root, 17H/24 deep)
  • As = π/4 × ((d2 + d3) ÷ 2)² = π/4 × 31.124² = 760.80 mm²
  • Lead angle = arctan(P ÷ (π × d2)) = 1.15°

Related sizes and tools

Sources: ISO 68-1 and ISO 724 (profile and basic dimensions), ISO 261 (diameter and pitch series), ISO 965-1 (tolerances), ISO 273 (clearance holes), ISO 898-1 (mechanical properties) and tap drill tables based on ISO 2306. How this site checks its data. Last reviewed 29 September 2026.