REAFFIRMED 2010

FOR CURRENT COMMITTEE PERSONNEL

PLEASE E-MAIL CS@asme.org
 A N
A M E R I C A N
Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of

N A T I O N A L
S T A N D A R D

FOR BOLTS, SCREWS,

AND STUDS
CLEARANEE HOLES

ASME 618.2.8-1MUM
SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
Date of Issuance: October 7, 1999

This Standard will be revised when the Society approves the issuance of
a new edition. There will be no addenda or written interpretations of the
requirements of this Standard issued to this edition.

ASME is the registered trademark of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

This code or standard was developed under procedures accredited as meeting the criteriafor
American National Standards. The Standards Committee that approved the code or standard
was balanced to assure that individuals from competent and concerned interests have had an
opportunity to participate. The proposed code or standard was made available for public review
and comment, which provides an opportunity for additional public input fromindustry, academia,
regulatory agencies, a n d the public-at-large.
ASME does not "approve," "rate," or "endorse" any item, construction, proprietary device,
or activity.
ASME does not take any position with respect to the validity of any patent rights asserted in
connection with any items mentionedin thisdocument, and does not undertake to insure anyone
utilizing a standard against liability for infringement of any applicable Letters Patent, nor assume
any such liability. Users of a code or standard are expressly advised that determination of the
validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, is entirely their
own responsibility.
Participation by federal agency representativek) or person(s) affiliated with industry is not to
be interpreted as government or industry endorsement of this code or standard.
ASME acceptsresponsibilityforonly those interpretationsissued in accordance with governing
ASME procedures and policies which preclude the issuance of interpretations by individual
volunteers.

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

in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Three Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5990

Copyright 0 1999 by
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
All Rights Reserved
Printed in U.S.A.
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
DuringitsDecember 3, 1998 meeting,theASME B18 Fastener Committee authorized
preparation of a standard to establish clearance holes for inch- and metric-threaded fasteners.
Some of themetricscrewandbolt standards alreadyhad,as an appendix, the IS0 273
approved normal-, close-, and loose-clearance hole diameters. It was recognized that for
inchstandard fasteners therewasno B18 standard size recommendation.
A draft standard was preparedusingcommonindustryinch clearance values selected to
followthe general metricdesign of three degrees of clearance. The recommendations are
alltabulatedasminimumholesand tolerance is recommendedusing IS 0 273 tolerance
classes. The Standard also includes values for fasteners in each systemusingthe standard
drillsizesfromthe other system of measurement.
This Standard should provide consistent application design information for the fasteners
andcanbe a step toward rationalization of the tooling for fastener assembly operations.
Metric standards need not include the appended information in each threaded fastener standard
and inch-threaded fastener standards will have standardized clearance hole recommendations.
ASME B 18.2.8-1999 was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
on August 19, 1999.

...
111
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
ASME B18 STANDARDS COMMllTEE
Standardization of Bolts, Nuts, Rivets, Screws,
Washers, and Similar Fasteners
(The following is the roster of the Committee at the time of approval
of this Standard.)

OFFICERS
D. A. Clever, Chair
R. D. Strong, Vice Chair
S. W. Vass. Vice Chair
R. L. Crane, Secretary

COMMITTEE PERSONNEL
J. C. Akins, Safety Socket Screw Corp.
J. Altman, Rotor Clip Co.
J. B. Belford, Lawson Products, Inc.
D. Broomfield, Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
J. A. Buda, SPS Technologies
D. A. Clever, Deere and Co.
T. Collier, Cam-Tech Industries, Inc.
R. L. Crane, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
A. C. DiCola, Wrought Washer Co.
A. Dinh, Defense Industrial Supply Center
W. D. Downing, Consultant
B. A. Dusina, Federal Screw Works
D. S. George, Ford Motor Co.
J. Greenslade, Greenslade and Co.
6.Hasiuk, Defense Industrial Supply Center
A. Herskovitz, U.S. Army ARDEC
A. C. Hood, ACH Technologies
J. Hubbard, Rockford Fastener, Inc.
F. W. Kern, The Society of Automotive Engineers
J. F. Koehl, Spirol International Corp.
W. H. Kopke, ITW Shakeproof Assembly Co.
J. G. Langenstein, Consultant
M. Levinson, ITW Shakeproof Assembly Co.
L. L. Lord, Caterpillar, Inc.
A. D. McCrindle, Genfast Manufacturing Co.
K. E. McCullough, Consultant
R. F. Novotny, Textron
M. D. Prasad, General Motors Corp.
S. Savoji, ITW Medalist
W. Schevey, BGM Fastener Co., Inc.
R. D. Strong, General Motors Corp.
J. F. Sullivan, National Fasteners Distribution Association
R. L. Tennis, Caterpillar, Inc.
S. W. Vass, Industrial Fasteners Institute
C. B. Wackrow, MNP Corp.
R. G. Weber, Fairfield University
W. K. Wilcox, Naval Sea Systems Command
C. J. Wilson, Industrial Fasteners Institute

V
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
SUBCOMMllTEE 2 - EXTERNAL DRIVE FASTENERS
S. W. Vass, Chair, Industrial Fasteners Institute
R. L. Crane, Secretary, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
D. Broomfield, Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
R. M . Byrne, Trade Association Management, Inc.
D. A. Clever, Deere and Co.
A. P. Cockman, Ford Motor Co.
R. J. Corbett, Huck International Industrial Fasteners
A. Dinh, Defense Industrial Supply Center
D. S. George, Ford Motor Co.
J. Greenslade, Greenslade and Co.
A. Herskovitz, U.S. Army ARDEC
M. W. Holubecki, Electric Boat Corp.
J. Hubbard, Rockford Fastener, Inc.
L. L. Lord, Caterpillar, lnc.
A. D. McCrindle, Genfast Manufacturing Co.
K. E. McCullough, Consultant
J. A. Schlink, Caterpillar, Inc.
R. L. Tennis, Caterpillar, Inc.
C. 6. Wackrow, MNP Corp.
W. K. Wilcox, Naval Sea Systems Command
C. J. Wilson, Industrial Fasteners Institute

vi
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE B18 COMMITTEE

General. ASME Standards are developed and maintained with the intent to represent the
consensus of concerned interests. As such, users of this Standard may interact withthe
Committee by requesting interpretations, proposing revisions, and attending Committee
meetings. Correspondence should be addressed to:
Secretary, B 18Main Committee
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Three ParkAvenue
New York, NY 10016-5990

Proposing Revisions. Revisions are madeperiodicallytothe Standard to incorporate

changes that appear necessary or desirable, as demonstrated by the experience gained from
the application of the Standard. Approvedrevisionswill be published periodically.
The Committee welcomes proposals for revisions to this Standard. Such proposals should
be as specificas possible, citingtheparagraph number(s), the proposed wording, and a
detailed description of the reasons for the proposal, including any pertinent documentation.
Interpretations. Upon request,theB18 Committee will render an interpretation ofany
requirement of the Standard. Interpretations canonlyberendered in responseto a written
requestsenttothe Secretary of the B I8 Main Committee.
The request for interpretation should be clear and unambiguous. It is further recommended
thatthe inquirer submit hisher request in the following format:
Subject: Cite the applicable paragraph number(s) and the topic of the inquiry.
Edition: Cite the applicable edition of the Standard for which
the interpretation
is being requested.
Question: Phrase the question as a request for an interpretation of a specific
requirement suitable for general understanding and use, not as a request
for an approval of a proprietary design or situation. The inquirer may
also includeanyplans or drawings, which are necessary to explain
the question; however,they should not contain proprietary names or
information.
Requeststhat are not in thisformat maybe rewritten in the appropriate format by the
Committee prior to being answered, whichmay inadvertently change theintent of the
original request.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of any interpretation when or if additional
informationthat might affect an interpretation is available. Further, persons aggrieved by
an interpretation may appeal tothe cognizant ASME Committee or Subcommittee. ASME
does not “approve,” “certify,” “rate,” or “endorse” any item, construction, proprietary device,
or activity.
Attending Committee Meetings. The B18 Main Committee regularly holds meetings, which
are open to the public. Persons wishing to attendanymeetingshould contact the Secretary
of the B18 Main Committee.

vii
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
CONTENTS

...
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III
Committee Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Correspondence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Committee vii

1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2 Comparison With IS0 Standards .............................................. 1

2.1 Metric Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.2 Inch Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3 Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3.1 Inch Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3.2 Metric Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3.3 Tolerances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3.4 Clearances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Tables
1 Inch Clearance Hole Allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Clearance Holes for Inch Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 Clearance Holes for Metric Fasteners ............................................. 3
4 Metric Clearance Hole Allowances ................................................ 4
Mandatory Appendix
I Nonsystem Drills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

ix
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
ASME B18.2.8-1999

CLEARANCE HOLES FOR BOLTS, SCREWS, AND STUDS

1SCOPE or fractional sizes. The drill sizes were selected to

provide as nearly as practical a step-patterned clearance
This Standard covers therecommended clearance
size for theminimumrecommendedhole (see Table
hole sizes for #O through 1.5 in. and MI .6 through
I). The maximum recommended hole size is based on
MI00 metricfasteners in three classes of clearance
standard hole tolerances. The tabulated drill andhole
using a close-, normal-,andloose-fit category.
sizes of Table 2 listtheinch fastener clearance hole
recommendations.
2 COMPARISONWITH I S 0 STANDARDS

2.1 Metric Fasteners 3.2 MetricFasteners

The hole sizes for metric fasteners are in agreement The recommendeddrillandhole sizes for metric
with I S 0 273, Fasteners-Clearance Holes for Bolts and fasteners are tabulated in Table 3. The minimum recom-
Screws, except the IS0 273 covers fastener sizes MI mended hole is the drill size and the maximum recom-
through M 150. mendedhole size isbasedonstandard tolerances.

2.2 InchFasteners
The holesizesforinch fasteners arepatterned after 3.3Tolerances
USA commonusage and thegeneral clearances trans- The clearance holetolerances for bothinchand
lated from the metric standard. The hole tolerances are metricholes are basedon I S 0 286, I S 0 System of
based on the I S 0 System of Limits and Fits, as required Limits and Fits, using tolerance class HI2 for close-fit,
by I S 0 273. H 13 for normal-fit, and H 14 for loose-fitclearance holes.

3 DIMENSIONS
3.4 Clearances
3.1Inch Fasteners
The clearances provided by the three classes of fit
The recommendeddrill sizes for inch fasteners are arebasedonregularlystepped clearances as listed in
tabulated by nominal drill designation as letter, numbers, Table 1 for inchand Table 4 for metric.

1
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
ASME B18.2.8-1999 CLEARANCE HOLES FOR BOLTS, SCREWS, AND STUDS

TABLE 1 INCH CLEARANCEHOLE

ALLOWANCES
Nominal Fit Classes
Screw Size Normal Close Loose

#0-#4 '164 0.008 '132

#5-'/16 '132 l164 3/64
l/2 I "8 '116 '132
4
" I '18 '11 6 '132 '132
5/32 1'132 3/32
11/8 , 194 '132 3/32 '
46
131~15, 1 '/16 l18 164

GENERAL NOTE: Dimensions are in inches.

TABLE 2 CLEARANCE HOLES FOR INCH FASTENERS

Fit Classes
Normal Close Loose

Screw Hole Diameter Hole Diameter Hole Diameter

Nominal Nominal Nominal
Size Drill SizeMax. Min. Drill Size Max. Min. Drill SizeMax. Min.

#O #48 0.076 0.082 #5 1 0.067 0.071 3/32 0.094 0.104

#1 #43 0.089 0.095 #46 0.081 0.085 #37 0.104 0.114
#2 #38 0.102 0.108 3/32 0.094 0.098 #32 0.116 0.126
#3 #32 0.1 16 0.122 #36 0.106 0.110 #30 0.128 0.140
#4 #30 0.128 0.135 #3 1 0.120 0.124 #27 0.144 0.156
#5 %2 0.156 0.163 %4 0.141 0.146 11
/sa 0.172 0.184
#6 #18 0.170 0.177 #23 0.154 0.159 #13 0.185 0.197
#8 #9 0.196 0.203 #15 0.180 0.185 #3 0.213 0.225
#10 #2 0.221 0.228 #5 0.206 0.21 1 B 0.238 0.250
19
'14 '132 0.281 0.290 0.266 0.272 164 0.297 0.31 1
0.354 23
5/16 ''I32 0.344 0.328 0.334 164 0.359 0.373
78 3/32 0.406 0.416 0.391 0.397 27
164 0.422 0.438
'
46 15
132 0.469 0.479 0.453 0.460 '164
39
0.484 0.500
'/2 6 0.562 0.572 0.531 0.538 164 0.609 0.625
78 11
13
116 0.688 0.698 0.656 0.663 47
164 0.734 0.754
0.812 29
"/4 116 0.824 0.781 0.789 132 0.906 0.926
15
'18 116 0.938 0.950 0.906 0.914 1'132 1.031 1.051
1 13/32 1.094 1.106 1.031 1.039 15/32 1.156 1.181
1'/a 1'132 1.219 1.235 1.156 1.164 15/16 1.312 1.337
11/4 1"132 1.344 1.360 1.281 1.291 1'116 1.438 1.463
1"/E 1112 1.500 1.516 1.438 1.448 1"164 1.609 1.634
1112 1518 1.625 1.641 1.562 1.572 147/64 1.734 1.759

GENERAL NOTE: Dimensions are in inches.

2
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
CLEARANCE
HOLES FOR
SCREWS,
BOLTS, AND STUDS ASME 818.2.8-1999

’ TABLE 3 CLEARANCE HOLES FOR METRIC FASTENERS

Fit Classes
Normal Close Loose

Nominal Nominal Diameter

Hole Nominal Diameter
Hole Nominal Diameter
Hole
Size
Drill
Size
Screw Max.
Min.
Size
Drill
Min.
Max.Min.
Size
Drill
Max.

M1.6 1.8 1.8 1.94 1.7 1.7 1.8 2 2 2.25

M2 2.4 2.4 2.54 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.6 2.6 2.85
M2.5 2.9 2.9 3.04 2.7 2.7 2.8 3.1 3.1 3.4

M3 3.4 3.4 3.58 3.2 3.2 3.32 3.6 3.6 3.9

M4 4.5 4.5 4.68 4.3 4.3 4.42 4.8 4.8 5.1
M5 5.5 5.5 5.68 5.3 5.3 5.42 5.8 5.8 6.1

M6 6.6 6.6 6.82 6.4 6.4 6.55 7 7 7.36

M8 9 9 9.22 8.4 8.4 8.55 10 10 10.36
MI0 11 11 11.27 10.5 10.5 10.68 12 12 12.43

MI2 13.5 13.5 13.77 13 13 13.18 14.5 14.5 14.93

MI4 15.5 15.5 15.77 15 15 15.18 16.5 16.5 16.93
MI6 17.5 17.5 17.77 17 17 17.18 18.5 18.5 19.02

M20 22 22 22.33 21 21 21.21 24 24 24.52

M24 26 26 26.33 25 25 25.21 28 28 28.52
M30 33 33 33.39 31 31 31.25 35 35 35.62

M 36 39 39 39.39 37 37 37.25 42 42 42.62

M42 45 45 45.39 43 43 43.25 48 48 48.62
M48 52 52 52.46 50 50 50.25 56 56 56.74

M56 62 62 62.46 58 58 58.3 66 66 66.74

M 64 70 70 70.46 66 66 66.3 74 74 74.74
M72 78 78 78.46 74 74 74.3 82 82 82.87

M80 86 86 86.54 82 82 82.35 91 91 91.87

M90 96 96 96.54 93 93 93.35 101 101 101.87
MlOO 107 107 107.54 104 104 104.35 112 112 112.87

GENERAL NOTE: Dimensions are in millimeters.

3
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
ASME B18.2.8-1999 CLEARANCE HOLES FOR BOLTS, SCREWS, AND STUDS

TABLE 4 METRIC CLEARANCE HOLE

ALLOWANCES
Nominal Fit Classes
Screw Size Normal Close Loose

M1.6 0.2 0.1 0.25

M2 0.4 0.1 0.3
M2.5 0.4 0.1 0.3

M3 0.4 0.2 0.6

M4, M 5 0.5 0.3 0.8
M6 0.6 0.4 1

M8 1 0.4 2
M10 1 0.5 2
M12-Ml6 1.5 1 2.5

M20, M24 2 4
M30 3 5
M36, M42 3 6

M48 4 2 8
M56-M72 6 2 10
M80 6 2 11

M90 6 3 11
MlOO 7 4 12

GENERAL NOTE: Dimensions are in millimeters.

4
 SUPPLIED BY BSB UNDER LICENCE FROM ASME FOR QUEST GLOBAL ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED - BANGALORE EAST TALUK VIDE BSB ORDER REGISTRATION NO. HC-08-1410 ON 19/02/2016
ASME 818.2.8-1999

MANDATORY APPENDIX I
NONSYSTEM DRILLS

1-1 RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE DRILLS

If the clearanceholeapplication is dimensioned in

metric drill sizes for inchfasteners or inch drill sizes
formetricfasteners, Tables 1-1 and 1-2 list thenearest
standard drill sizetranslations for the designateddrills
of Tables 2 and 3.

TABLE 1-1 STANDARD METRIC DRILLS FOR TABLE 1-2 STANDARD INCH DRILLS FOR
INCH FASTENERS METRIC FASTENERS
Nominal Drill Size, m m Nominal Drill Size, in.
Fit Classes Fit Classes
Nominal Nominal
Screw Size, in. Normal Close Loose Screw Size, mm Normal Close Loose

M1.6
#O 2.4 1.9 1.7
M2
#1 2.25 2.05 2.6
M2.5
#2 2.6 2.4 2.9
M3
#3 3.3 2.9 2.7
M4
#4 3.3 3 3.7
M5
#5 4 3.6 4.4
M6
#6 4.7 4.3 3.9
M8
#8 5.4 5 4.6
M10
#10 6 5.6 5.2
M12
'14 7.5 7.1 6.7
M14
9.1 715 8.3 8.7 M16
"8 10.5
10.2 9.9
M20
'116 11.8 11.5 12.2
M24
'12 14.25 13.5 15.5
M30
"8 17.5 16.75 19
M36
4
" 20.5 20 23
M42
7h 24 23 26
M48
27.5 1 26 29.5
M56
11/8 31 29.5 33.5
M64
1'/4 34 32.5 36.5
M72
13/8 38 36.5 41

1'/2 41 39.5 44