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#4-40 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)
#43 (0.0890")
2.2 mm · Clearance hole (normal fit): 0.1280" (#30) ·
Grade 5 torque: 0.718 lb-ft dry
Thread dimensions
Major diameter
0.112 "
Threads per inch
40
Pitch
0.635 mm
Pitch diameter
0.0958 "
Minor diameter
0.0849 "
Tensile stress area
0.00603 in²
Tap drill sizes for #4-40 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% | 0.0958" | #41 (0.0960") | 2.4 mm |
| 65% | 0.0909" | #43 (0.0890") | 2.3 mm |
| 75% | 0.0876" | #43 (0.0890") | 2.2 mm |
| 85% | 0.0844" | #44 (0.0860") | 2.1 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 #4-40 UNC
| Fit | Drill | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Close | 0.1200" (#31) | Located joints, dowel-like alignment |
| Normal | 0.1280" (#30) | General assembly — use this unless you have a reason not to |
| Loose | 0.1440" (#27) | Weldments, sheet stacks, tolerance build-up |
#4-40 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 | 0.465 lb-ft | 0.348 lb-ft | 0.63 N·m | 248 lb |
| Grade 5 Medium carbon Q&T, 3 radial head marks | 0.718 lb-ft | 0.538 lb-ft | 0.973 N·m | 384 lb |
| Grade 8 Medium carbon alloy Q&T, 6 radial head marks | 1.01 lb-ft | 0.76 lb-ft | 1.37 N·m | 542 lb |
| 18-8 SS 304/18-8 stainless | 0.338 lb-ft | 0.253 lb-ft | 0.458 N·m | 180 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
1/4"
Hex key (socket head)
3/32