#12-32 UNEF Thread Dimensions and Tap Drill
#12-32 UNEF is the Unified extra fine thread for the number 12 size (major diameter 0.216 in, 5.49 mm): 32 threads per inch, a pitch of 0.03125 in (0.794 mm), on a 60° profile. ASME B1.1 lists it in the UNEF series as a secondary size. Against the coarse #12-24 UNC it has 32 threads per inch instead of 24, a stress area 12% larger and a lead angle of 2.91° instead of 4.02°.
- Tap drill#1376% thread, 4.70 mm
- Pitch32 TPI0.794 mm
- Major diameter0.2160 in5.486 mm
- Pitch diameter0.1957 in4.971 mm
- Minor diameter (nut)0.1822 in4.627 mm
- Tensile stress area0.0270 in²17.4 mm²
Thread profile
#12-32 UNEF basic dimensions
| Dimension | in | mm |
|---|---|---|
| Major diameter d = D | 0.2160 | 5.486 |
| Pitch P | 0.03125 | 0.794 |
| Pitch diameter d2 = D2 | 0.1957 | 4.971 |
| Minor diameter, internal thread D1 | 0.1822 | 4.627 |
| Minor diameter, external UNR thread d3 | 0.1788 | 4.541 |
| Height of fundamental triangle H | 0.0271 | 0.687 |
| Thread height, internal (5H/8) | 0.0169 | 0.430 |
| Thread height, external (11H/16) | 0.0186 | 0.473 |
| Crest flat of external thread (P/8) | 0.0039 | 0.099 |
| Crest flat of internal thread (P/4) | 0.0078 | 0.198 |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Threads per inch | 32 |
| Flank angle | 60° (30° each side) |
| Lead angle at the pitch diameter | 2.91° |
| Tensile stress area As | 0.0270 in² (17.4 mm²) |
Basic (nominal) sizes per ASME B1.1, before tolerances. A UN external thread with a flat root has the same basic minor diameter as the nut (D1); d3 applies to the rounded UNR root.
#12-32 UNEF limits of size (class 2A bolt, 2B nut)
Classes 2A and 2B are the general-purpose fits for commercial bolts, screws and nuts. The 2A external thread has an allowance of 0.0010 in, so its maximum size is that much below basic; the 2B nut starts at the basic size.
| External thread 2A | Max (in) | Min (in) | Tolerance (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major diameter | 0.2150 | 0.2090 | 0.0060 |
| Pitch diameter | 0.1947 | 0.1915 | 0.0032 |
| Internal thread 2B | Max (in) | Min (in) | Tolerance (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor diameter | 0.190 | 0.182 | 0.0080 |
| Pitch diameter | 0.1998 | 0.1957 | 0.0041 |
Limits of size from ASME B1.1 Table 2.
#12-32 UNEF tap drill size
Tap drill for #12-32 UNEF: #13 (0.1850 in, 4.70 mm)
This leaves about 76% thread in the tapped hole.
#13 is the drill listed for #12-32 UNEF in standard tap drill charts. It is 0.0310 in under the 0.2160 in major diameter.
The 2B minor diameter of the finished nut thread must lie between 0.182 and 0.190 in. The recommended drill falls inside that band.
Other drills that work for #12-32 UNEF
A larger drill cuts less thread and taps more easily; a smaller one gives a fuller thread but loads the tap harder.
| Drill | mm | in | % thread | Within 2B limits | Thread engagement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #15 | 4.57 | 0.1800 | 89% | no | |
| #14 | 4.62 | 0.1820 | 84% | yes | |
| #13recommended | 4.70 | 0.1850 | 76% | yes | |
| 4.7 mm | 4.70 | 0.1850 | 76% | yes | |
| 3/16" | 4.76 | 0.1875 | 70% | yes | |
| #12 | 4.80 | 0.1890 | 67% | yes | |
| #11 | 4.85 | 0.1910 | 62% | no | |
| #10 | 4.91 | 0.1935 | 55% | no |
% thread = (major diameter − drill diameter) ÷ (1.299 × pitch). See the tap drill chart for how to choose a percentage.
Clearance hole for #12
ASME B18.2.8 does not list the #12 size, so there is no standard clearance hole for the #12 size. Size the hole from the fit the joint needs.
#12-32 UNEF strength
SAE J429 starts at 1/4 in, so the SAE grades give no proof load for #12-32 UNEF. For an estimate, multiply the tensile stress area of 0.0270 in² by the strength of the material: for example, 60,000 psi gives 1,620 lbf.
#12 pitches compared
All standard pitches on the #12 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.
| Thread | TPI | Pitch Ø (in) | Minor Ø D1 (in) | Stress area (in²) | Tap drill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #12-24 UNC | 24 | 0.1889 | 0.1709 | 0.0242 | #16 |
| #12-28 UNF | 28 | 0.1928 | 0.1773 | 0.0258 | #14 |
| #12-32 UNEF | 32 | 0.1957 | 0.1822 | 0.0270 | #13 |
How the #12-32 UNEF dimensions are calculated
Every basic dimension follows from the major diameter and the pitch:
- P = 0.03125 in = 1 ÷ 32 threads per inch
- H = 0.866025 × P = 0.0271 in
- d2 = d − 0.649519 × P = 0.2160 − 0.0203 = 0.1957 in
- D1 = d − 1.082532 × P = 0.2160 − 0.0338 = 0.1822 in
- d3 = d − 1.190785 × P = 0.2160 − 0.0372 = 0.1788 in (external root, 11H/16 deep)
- As = 0.7854 × (d − 0.9743 × P)² = 0.7854 × 0.1856² = 0.02704 in²
- Lead angle = arctan(P ÷ (π × d2)) = 2.91°
Related sizes and tools
Sources: ASME B1.1 (profile, series, limits of size and stress area), ASME B18.2.8 (clearance holes), SAE J429 (mechanical properties) and the tap drill tables of Machinery’s Handbook. How this site checks its data. Last reviewed 29 September 2026.