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INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE
6363 Oak Tree Boulevard Independence, Ohio 44131 USA, www.indfast.org
What is the Proper Torque to Use on a Given Bolt?

What torque should I use to tighten my bolts? is a question suppliers of bolts are frequently asked by end
user customers. Many times I have been asked if a chart is published on the recommended tightening torque for
various bolt grades and sizes. I do not know of any. This article provides such a chart for Initial Target Tightening
Torque. See Figure 1. The formula for generating these values is explained below.

The widely recognized engineering formula, T= K x D x P (to be explained later in this article), was used
to provide the charts values, but it must be understood that every bolted joint is unique and the optimum tightening
torque should be determined for each application by careful experimentation.

A properly tightened bolt is one that is stretched such that it acts like a very ridged spring pulling mating surfaces together. The rotation of a bolt (torque) at some point causes it to stretch (tension). Several factors affect how
much tension occurs when a given amount of tightening torque is applied.

The first factor is the bolts diameter. It takes more force to tighten a 3/4-10 bolt than to tighten a 3/8-16 bolt
because it is larger in diameter. The second factor is the bolts grade. It takes more force to stretch an SAE Grade
8 bolt than it does to stretch an SAE Grade 5 bolt because of the greater material strength. The third factor is the
coefficient of friction, frequently referred to as the nut factor. The value of this factor indicates that harder, smoother,
and/or slicker bolting surfaces, such as threads and bearing surfaces, require less rotational force (torque) to stretch
(tension) a bolt than do softer, rougher, and stickier surfaces.

The basic formula T = K x D x P stated earlier takes these factors into account and provides users with a
starting point for establishing an initial target tightening torque.

T = target tighten torque (the result of this formula is in inch pounds, dividing by 12 yields foot pounds)
K = coefficient of friction (nut factor), always an estimation in this formula
D = bolts nominal diameter in inches
P = bolts desired tensile load in pounds (generally 75% of yield strength)

The reason all applications should be evaluated to determine the optimum tightening torque is that the K factor in this formula is always an estimate. The most commonly used bolting K factors are 0.20 for plain finished bolts,
0.22 for zinc plated bolts, and 0.10 for waxed or highly lubricated bolts.

The only way to properly determine the optimum tightening torque for a given application is to simulate the
exact application. This should be done with a tension indicating device of some type on the bolt in the application.
The bolt is tightened until the desired P (load) is indicated by the tension indicating device. The tightening torque
required to achieve the desired tension is the actual tightening torque that should be used for that given application.

It is extremely important to realize that this tightening value is valid only so long as all of the aspects of the
application remain constant. Bolt suppliers sometimes have customers say that their bolts are no good because they
have started breaking while being installed. Thorough investigation commonly reveals that the customer has started
lubricating the bolts to make assembly easier, but maintained to same torque as was used when the were plain finished.

The table in this article shows that by using this formula a 1/2-13 Grade 5 plain bolt should be tightened to
82 foot pounds, but the same bolt that is waxed only requires 41 foot pounds to tighten the same tension. A perfect
1/2-13 Grade 5 waxed bolt will break if it is tightened to 81 foot pounds because the K factor is drastically lower. The
bolts are fine, but the application changed. Suppliers need to understand this and be able to educate their customers
to resolve this common customer complaint about breaking bolts.
IFI
Technical Bulletin
Published and issued by the
Industrial Fasteners Institute
of Independence, OH
What is the Proper Torque to

Use on a Given Bolt?
IFI
Page 1 of 2
Issued: Sept., 1994
All standards and specifications are advisory only. Their use by anyone is entirely voluntary. Reliance thereon for any purpose by anyone is at the sole risk of that person or the
user of the product, and the IFI is not responsible for any loss, claim, or damage arising therefrom. In formulating and approving standards and specifications, the IFI has not
investigated and will not investigate patents which may apply to the subject matter. Prospective users of the standards and specifications are responsible for advising themselves
of and protecting themselves against any patent infringement liability which may arise out of such use. INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE 2008
INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE
6363 Oak Tree Boulevard Independence, Ohio 44131 USA, www.indfast.org

The chart is provided for quick reference by fastener suppliers and users for selecting an initial target tightening torque. This chart was derived by using the formula shown earlier. An example of the calculation is as follows:
Product: 3/4-10 Grade 5 zinc plated bolt
Formula: T = KxDxP
K = 0.22 (zinc plated)
D = .750 (3/4-10 nominal diameter)
P = 23,046 pounds
Note: P = 75% of yield strength (92,000 PSI) times the tensile stress area of the thread (0.3340)
T = (0.22 x .750 x 23,046) /12 = 317 foot pounds

Hopefully the chart will help suppliers with an initial answer to the customers question, What torque should
I use to tighten my bolts? Keep in mind this is only an estimated value. It may provide satisfactory performance, but
it also may not. Every application should be evaluated on its own to determine the optimum torque value for each application. Major bolt suppliers should have tension indicating equipment necessary to help their customers determine
the appropriate tightening values for their specific applications. Keep in mind that if the lubricant on a bolt and nut
combination is changed, the tightening torque value must be altered to achieve the desired amount of bolt tension.
Thread
Size
Tensile Stress
Area
TSA
SAE Grade 2
SAE Grade 5
SAE Grade 8
75% Yield Strength (PSI) = 43000
Plain
Zinc
Plated
Waxed
Plain
Zinc
Plated
Waxed
Plain
Zinc
Plated
Waxed
Square Inches
Ft. Lb.
Ft. Lb.
Ft. Lb.
Ft. Lb.
Ft. Lb.
Ft. Lb.
Ft. Lb.
Ft. Lb.
R. Lb.
1/4-20.
0.0318
10
13
14
1/4-28.
0.0364
10
12
15
16
5/16-18.
0.0524
12
13
19
21
27
29
13
5/16-24.
0.0580
13
14
21
23
10
30
33
15
3/8-16.
0.0775
21
23
10
33
37
17
47
52
24
3/8-24.
0.0878
24
26
12
38
42
19
54
59
27
7/16-14.
0.1063
33
37
17
53
59
27
76
83
38
7/16-24.
0.1187
37
41
19
60
66
30
85
93
42
1/2-13.
0.1419
51
56
25
82
90
41
116
127
58
1/2-20.
0.1599
57
63
29
92
101
46
131
144
65
9/16-12.
0.1820
73
81
37
118
129
59
167
184
84
9/16-18.
0.2030
82
90
41
131
144
66
186
205
93
5/8-11.
0.2260
101
111
51
162
179
81
231
254
115
5/8-14.
0.2560
115
126
57
184
202
92
261
287
131
3/4-10.
0.3340
180
197
90
288
317
144
409
450
205
3/4-16.
0.3730
200
221
100
322
354
161
457
503
228
Figure 1. Initial Target Tightening Torque. (Formula: T = K x D x P)

Disclaimer: All information provided in this document and/or presentation is based on data the Industrial Fasteners
Institute believes to be reliable and accurate. Such information is intended for use by persons at their own discretion
and risk. The information here in is based on industry standards and recognized practices. The Industrial Fasteners
Institute and the representatives providing this material assume no responsibility for the content.
IFI
Technical Bulletin
Published and issued by the
Industrial Fasteners Institute
of Independence, OH
What is the Proper Torque to

Use on a Given Bolt?
IFI
Page 2 of 2
Issued: Sept., 1994
All standards and specifications are advisory only. Their use by anyone is entirely voluntary. Reliance thereon for any purpose by anyone is at the sole risk of that person or the
user of the product, and the IFI is not responsible for any loss, claim, or damage arising therefrom. In formulating and approving standards and specifications, the IFI has not
investigated and will not investigate patents which may apply to the subject matter. Prospective users of the standards and specifications are responsible for advising themselves
of and protecting themselves against any patent infringement liability which may arise out of such use. INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE 2008

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INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE

6363 Oak Tree Boulevard Independence, Ohio 44131 USA, www.indfast.org

What is the Proper Torque to Use on a Given Bolt?

What is the Proper Torque to

INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE

6363 Oak Tree Boulevard Independence, Ohio 44131 USA, www.indfast.org

75% Yield Strength (PSI) = 43000

75% Yield Strength (PSI) = 69000

75% Yield Strength (PSI) = 98000

Figure 1. Initial Target Tightening Torque. (Formula: T = K x D x P)

What is the Proper Torque to

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