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1-8 UNC — Full Fastener Spec
ASME B1.1 (Unified) · Unc series · Tap drill, clearance hole, torque, strength and tool sizes — every number on one page.
Tap drill (75% thread)
7/8 (0.8750")
22.3 mm · Clearance hole (normal fit): 1.0940" (1-3/32) ·
Grade 5 torque: 644 lb-ft dry
Thread dimensions
Major diameter
1 "
Threads per inch
8
Pitch
3.175 mm
Pitch diameter
0.9188 "
Minor diameter
0.8647 "
Tensile stress area
0.60575 in²
Tap drill sizes for 1-8 UNC
Percent of thread is a trade-off: 75% is the shop default because the last 25% of engagement adds only a few percent of strength while roughly doubling tapping torque. Drop to 50–65% in tough or gummy material, or for blind holes where a snapped tap means scrapping the part.
| Thread engagement | Exact | Inch drill | Nearest metric drill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 0.9188" | 59/64 (0.9219") | 23.3 mm |
| 65% | 0.8945" | 57/64 (0.8906") | 22.7 mm |
| 75% | 0.8782" | 7/8 (0.8750") | 22.3 mm |
| 85% | 0.8620" | 55/64 (0.8594") | 21.9 mm |
Roll (form) taps need a larger hole than cut taps — add roughly
0.4× the pitch to the 75% cut-tap drill and confirm against your tap maker's chart.
Clearance hole for 1-8 UNC
| Fit | Drill | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Close | 1.0310" (1-1/32) | Located joints, dowel-like alignment |
| Normal | 1.0940" (1-3/32) | General assembly — use this unless you have a reason not to |
| Loose | 1.1560" (1-5/32) | Weldments, sheet stacks, tolerance build-up |
1-8 UNC torque specs
Calculated with the short-form equation T = K · D · F, using K = 0.2 (plain, dry, as-received steel) and a target clamp load of 75% of proof load — the standard preload target for a reusable joint.
| Grade | Dry | Lubricated | Dry (N·m) | Clamp load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 Low/medium carbon steel, unmarked head | 250 lb-ft | 187 lb-ft | 339 N·m | 14,992 lb |
| Grade 5 Medium carbon Q&T, 3 radial head marks | 644 lb-ft | 483 lb-ft | 873 N·m | 38,616 lb |
| Grade 8 Medium carbon alloy Q&T, 6 radial head marks | 909 lb-ft | 681 lb-ft | 1232 N·m | 54,517 lb |
| 18-8 SS 304/18-8 stainless | 303 lb-ft | 227 lb-ft | 411 N·m | 18,172 lb |
The nut factor K dominates this result. Zinc-plated, waxed, anti-seize
and lubricated threads all shift K between roughly 0.10 and 0.25, which is a 2.5×
spread in torque for identical preload. If preload actually matters, torque-to-yield,
angle control or a load-indicating washer beats a torque wrench every time.
Tool sizes
Hex head wrench
1-1/2"
Hex key (socket head)
3/4