Preferred Sizes in Metric

1-7-99 GW
REV 1-12-99 GW

D780 P R1

Preferred Sizes in Metric

The idea for developing metric standards

worldwide comes from a preferred numbering
system. Its first known application was in the
1870's by Charles Renard, a French army
captain who reduced the different diameters
of rope for military balloons from 425 to 17.
Nominal metric sizes are identical
where the metric systems have been in use for
several years. These reflect preferred sizes for
components such as threaded fasteners, steel
plates, sheets, and bars used throughout the
world. The accompanying table, Selecting a
Preferred Size shows how the general system
works.
For example, if a designer was choosing
a hydraulic cylinder, bolt, or plate thickness,
the sizes in the First-choice column would be
preferred. Second- and Third-choice columns

Preferred Sizes (mm)

First
Choice
4

Second
Choice

Third
Choice
4.5

5
5.5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
16
18
20
22
25
28
30
35
40

are self-explanatory. The table extends to

smaller and larger sizes. For instance, 60-mm
sizes would be a preferred choice as would
2.5-mm devices.
The three columns to the far right are
the originating Renard numbers. In the Firstchoice column, each succeeding number is
1.6 times the previous, with some rounding.
These three columns provide the basis for the
values on the left side of the table. The inch
values show close corresponding English units.
The form of the first table carries
through to other tables in the standard.
The number series shown are recommended
to reduce the number of standard sizes for
items such as screw threads, steel plates, steel
sheets, round steel bars, lifting capacities,
and hydraulic cylinder diameters.

Customary Sizes
mm
3.97
4.37
4.76
5.56
6.35
7.14
7.94
8.73
9.53
11.11
12.7
14.29
15.88
17.46
19.05
22.23
25.4
28.58
30.16
34.93
39.69

in.
in.
Fractions Decimals
5/32
0.156
11/64
0.172
3/16
0.188
7/32
0.219
1/4
0.25
9/32
0.281
5/16
0.313
11/32
0.344
3/8
0.375
7/16
0.438
1/2
0.5
9/16
0.563
5/8
0.625
11/16
0.688
3/4
0.75
7/8
0.875
1

1-1/8
1.125
1-3/16
1.188
1-3/8
1.375
1-9/16
1.563

Preferred Numbers
First
Choice
4

Second
Choice

Third
Choice
4.5

5
5.6
6.3
7.1
8
9
10
11.2
12.5
14
16
18
20
22.4
25
28
31.5
35.5
40

The values in the first three columns of the table may be extended
to cover smaller or larger sizes by multiplying or dividing sizes by 10.
Reprinted from Kverneland, K.O., "How ISO Standards Cut Manufacturing Costs," Machine Design,
pp 126-130, November 5, 1998.
E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http//www.kok.com

R 1

Preferred Tolerances in Metric

12-17-98 GW
REV 1-8-99 GW

D780 P R2

Preferred Tolerances in Metric

A FEW WORLD STANDARDS FOR ROUND COLD-FINISHED STEEL BARS*
Country
Global
USA
Japan
Germany
France
U.K.
Italy
Australia

National
Standard
ISO 1829
ANSI B4.2
JIS G3 123
DIN 668
59360.1
NF A47-411
BS 4500
UNI 468, 469
UNI 5953
AS 1654

Other ISO
Shaft Tolerance

ISO Product Tolerance

h11
h11
h11
h11

h9
h9
h9

h7
h7
h7

h6
h6
h6

h9
h9
h9
h9

h7

h6

h11
h11
h11

h7

h6

h11

h9

h7
h7

h6

h5, h8 (second choice)

h13, h12, h10, h8

h10

ISO 1829, ANSI B4.2, BS 4500 and AS 1654 are preferred tolerance standards.

PREFERRED FITS FOR SHAFTS AND HOLES*

Hole
Basis

Shaft
Basis

H11/c11

C11/h11

Loose running fits are for wide commercial

tolerances or allowances on external members

H9/d9

D9/h9

Free running fits are good for large temperature

variations,high running speeds, or heavy journal
pressure, but not where accuracy is essential.

H8/f7

F8/h7

Close running fits are for running on accurate machines

and for accurate locations at moderate speeds.

H7/g6

G7/h6

Sliding fits are not intended to run freely,

but to move and turn freely and locate accurately.

H7/h6

H7/h6

Location clearance provides snug fits for locating stationary

parts, but can be freely assembled and disassembled.

H7/k6

K7/h6

Location transition fits are for accurate locations,

a compromise between clearance and interference.

H7/n6

N7/h6

Location transition fits are for more accurate locations

where greater interference is permissible.

H7/p6

P7/h6

Location interference fits are for parts requiring rigidity and

alignment with prime accuracy of location but without special
bore-pressure requirements.

H7/s6

S7/h6

Medium drive fits are for ordinary steel parts or shrink fits on
light sections. these provide the tightest usable fit with cast iron.

H7/u6

U7/h6

Force fits are suitable for parts which can be highly stressed or for
shrink fits where the heavy pressing forces required are impractical.

Description

* Reprinted from Kverneland, K.O.,

"How ISO Standards Cut Manufacturing Costs," Machine Design,

pp 126-130, November 5, 1998.

R 2

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http//www.kok.com

ISO-Metric Tolerance Charts

FOR EXTERNAL MEASUREMENTS (SHAFTS)*
Measurements in m (1m = 0.001mm)
m

External
Dimensions
(Shafts)

+150

Graph
Represents
Range From
3 6 mm

+100
+50
0
50
100
150

Designation

s6

r6

n6

m6

from >
to

1
3

+20
+14

+16
+10

+10
+4

+8
+2

from >
to

3
6

+27
+19

+23
+15

+16
+8

from > 6
to 10

+32
+23

+28
+19

h5

h6

h8

h9

h11

g5

g6

+4
2

0
4

0
6

0
14

0
25

0
60

2
6

+12
+4

+6
2

0
5

0
8

0
18

0
30

0
75

+19
+10

+15
+6

+7
2

0
6

0
9

0
22

0
36

+39
+28

+34
+23

+23
+12

+18
+7

+8
3

0
8

0
11

0
27

+48
+35

+41
+28

+28
+15

+21
+8

+9
4

0
9

0
13

+59
+43

+50
+34

+33
+17

+25
+9

+11
5

0
11

from > 50
to 65

+72
+53

+60
+41

from > 65
to 80

+78
+59

+62
+43

+39
+20

+30
+11

+12
7

from > 80
to 100

+93
+71

+73
+51

from >100
to 120

+101
+79

+76
+54

+45
+23

+35
+13

from >120
to 140

+117
+92

+88
+63

from >140
to 160

+125
+100

+90
+65

+52
+27

+40
+15

from >160
to 180

+133
+108

+93
+68

from > 10
to 14

Nominal Range in mm

from > 14
to 18
from > 18
to 24
from > 24
to 30
from > 30
to 40
from > 40
to 50

j6

f7

f8

e8

d11

2
8

6
16

6
20

14
28

20
80

4
9

4
12

10
22

10
28

20
38

30
105

0
90

5
11

5
14

13
28

13
35

25
47

40
130

0
43

0
110

6
14

6
17

16
34

16
43

32
59

50
160

0
33

0
52

0
130

7
16

7
20

20
41

20
53

40
73

65
195

0
16

0
39

0
62

0
160

9
20

9
25

25
50

25
64

50
89

80
240

0
13

0
19

0
46

0
74

0
190

10
23

10
29

30
60

30
76

60
106

100
290

+13
9

0
15

0
22

0
54

0
87

0
220

12
27

12
34

36
71

36
90

72
126

120
340

+14
11

0
18

0
25

0
63

0
100

0
250

14
32

14
39

43
83

43
106

85
148

145
395

*Per DIN 58700 sheet 1 p. 2.

R 3

ISO-Metric Tolerance Charts

FOR INTERNAL MEASUREMENTS (HOLES)*
Measurements in m (1m = 0.001mm)
m

Graph
Represents
Range From
3 6 mm

+150
+100
+50
0
50

Internal
Dimensions
(Holes)

100
150

D11 CD10 C11 Designation

Z8

X8

S7

H6

H7

H8

H10

H11

G6

G7

F8

F9

E9

D10

26
40

20
34

14
24

+6
0

+10
0

+14
0

+40
0

+60
0

+8
+2

+12
+2

+20
+6

+31
+6

+39
+14

+60
+20

+80
+20

+74
+34

+120
+60

from >
to

1
3

35
53

28
46

15
27

+8
0

+12
0

+18
0

+48
0

+75
0

+12
+4

+16
+4

+28
+10

+40
+10

+50
+20

+78
+30

+105
+30

+94
+46

+145
+70

from >
to

3
6

42
64

34
56

17
32

+9
0

+15
0

+22
0

+58
0

+90
0

+14
+5

+20
+5

+35
+13

+49
+13

+61
+25

+98
+40

+130
+40

+114
+56

+170
+80

from > 6
to 10

50
77

40
67

21
39

+11
0

+18
0

+27
0

+70
0

+110
0

+17
+6

+24
+6

+43
+16

+59
+16

+75
+32

+120
+50

+160
+50

+205
+95

27
48

+13
0

+21
0

+33
0

+84
0

+130
0

+20
+7

+28
+7

+53
+20

+72
+20

+92
+40

+149
+65

+195
+65

34
59

+16
0

+25
0

+39
0

+100
0

+160
0

+25
+9

+34
+9

+64
+25

+87
+25

+112
+50

+180
+80

+240
+80

+19
0

+30
0

+46
0

+120
0

+190
0

+29
+10

+40
+10

+76
+30

+104
+30

+134
+60

+220
+100

+290
+100

+22
0

+35
0

+54
0

+140
0

+220
0

+34
+12

+47
+12

+90
+36

+123
+36

+159
+72

+260
+120

+340
+120

45
72

73
106

54
87

88
121

64
97

112
151

80
119

136
175

97
136

172
218

122
168

42
72

210
256

146
192

48
78

258
312

178
232

58
93

310
364

210
264

66
101

365
428

248
311

77
117

415
478

280
343

85
125

310
373

93
133

+25
0

*Per DIN 58700 sheet 1 p. 3.

R 4

+40
0

+63
0

+160
0

+250
0

+39
+14

+54
+14

+106
+43

+143
+43

+185
+85

+305
+145

+395
+145

+240
+110

from > 14
to 18
from > 18
to 24
from > 24
to 30

+280
+120

from > 30
to 40

+290
+130

from > 40
to 50

+330
+140

from > 50
to 65

+340
+150

from > 65
to 80

+390
+170

from > 80
to 100

+400
+180

from >100
to 120

+450
+200

from >120
to 140

+460
+210

from >140
to 160

+480
+230

from >160
to 180

Nominal Range in mm

60
87

from > 10
to 14

ISO-Metric Primary Fits

Expressed in thousandths of a millimeter
RUNNING & SLIDING FITS

d, e LOOSE CLEARANCE

f AVERAGE RUNNING

LOCATIONAL FITS

g LOCATIONAL CLEARANCE

h LOCATIONAL TRANSITION

k LIGHT DRIVE

p, s MEDIUM DRIVE

FORCE FITS

NOMINAL SIZE RANGE IN INCHES & MILLIMETERS

> .039 to .118 to
.118 in. .236 in.
> 1 to
3 to
3mm
6mm

DIA.

H6
g5
h5

Shaft
k5
p5
Hole

H7
f6
g6

Shaft

h6
k6
p6

Hole

H8
e8
f8

Shaft
h8
s8
Hole

H9
e9

Shaft
h9
Hole

H11
d11

Shaft
h11

.394 to .709 to 1.181 to 1.969 to 3.150 to 4.724 to

.709 in. 1.181 in. 1.969 in. 3.150 in. 4.724 in. 7.087 in.
10 to
18 to
30 to
50 to
80 to
120 to
18mm
30mm
50mm
80mm 120mm 180mm

VALUES (From / To) IN THOUSANDTHS OF A mm

FITS
Hole

.236 to
.394 in.
6 to
10mm

+6
0
2
6
0
4
+4
0
+10
+6
+10
0
6
12
2
8
0
6
+6
0
+12
+6
+14
0
14
28
6
20
0
14
+29
+15
+25
0
14
39
0
25
+60
0
20
80
0
60

+8
0
4
9
0
5
+6
+1
+17
+12
+12
0
10
18
4
12
0
8
+9
+1
+20
+12
+18
0
20
38
10
28
0
18
+37
+19
+30
0
20
50
0
30
+75
0
30
105
0
75

+9
0
5
11
0
6
+7
+1
+21
+15
+15
0
13
22
5
14
0
9
+10
+1
+24
+15
+22
0
25
47
13
35
0
22
+45
+23
+36
0
25
61
0
36
+90
0
40
130
0
90

+11
0
6
14
0
8
+9
+1
+26
+18
+18
0
16
27
6
17
0
11
+12
+1
+29
+18
+27
0
32
59
16
43
0
27
+55
+28
+43
0
32
75
0
43
+110
0
50
160
0
110

+13
0
7
16
0
9
+11
+2
+31
+22
+21
0
20
33
7
20
0
13
+15
+2
+35
+22
+33
0
40
73
20
53
0
33
+68
+35
+52
0
40
92
0
52
+130
0
65
195
0
130

+16
0
9
20
0
11
+13
+2
+37
+26
+25
0
25
41
9
25
0
16
+18
+2
+42
+26
+39
0
50
89
25
64
0
39
+82
+43
+62
0
50
112
0
62
+160
0
80
240
0
160

+19
0
10
23
0
13
+15
+2
+45
+32
+30
0
30
49
10
29
0
19
+21
+2
+51
+32
+46
0
60
106
30
76
0
46
+99
+53
+74
0
60
134
0
74
+190
0
100
290
0
190

+22
0
12
27
0
15
+18
+3
+52
+37
+35
0
36
58
12
34
0
22
+25
+3
+59
+37
+54
0
72
126
36
90
0
54
+125
+71
+87
0
72
159
0
87
+220
0
120
340
0
220

+25
0
14
32
0
18
+21
+3
+61
+43
+40
0
43
68
14
39
0
25
+28
+3
+68
+43
+63
0
85
148
43
106
0
63
+155
+92
+100
0
85
185
0
100
+250
0
145
395
0
250

R 5

ISO-Metric Primary Fits

Expressed in inches
RUNNING & SLIDING FITS

d, e LOOSE CLEARANCE

f AVERAGE RUNNING

LOCATIONAL FITS

g LOCATIONAL CLEARANCE

h LOCATIONAL TRANSITION

k LIGHT DRIVE

p, s MEDIUM DRIVE

FORCE FITS

NOMINAL SIZE RANGE IN INCHES & MILLIMETERS

> .039 to .118 to
.118 in. .236 in.
> 1 to
3 to
3mm
6mm

DIA.

H6
g5
h5

Shaft
k5
p5
Hole

H7
f6
g6

Shaft

h6
k6
p6

Hole

H8
e8
f8

Shaft
h8
s8
Hole

H9
e9

Shaft
h9
Hole

H11
d11

Shaft
h11

R 6

.394 to .709 to 1.181 to 1.969 to 3.150 to 4.724 to

.709 in. 1.181 in. 1.969 in. 3.150 in. 4.724 in. 7.087 in.
10 to
18 to
30 to
50 to
80 to
120 to
18mm
30mm
50mm
80mm 120mm 180mm

VALUES (From / To) IN INCHES

FITS
Hole

.236 to
.394 in.
6 to
10mm

+.00024
.00000
.00008
.00024
.00000
.00016
+.00016
.00000
+.00039
+.00024
+.00039
.00000
.00024
.00047
.00008
.00031
.00000
.00028
+.00024
+.00000
+.00047
+.00024
+.00055
.00000
.00055
.00110
.00024
.00079
.00000
.00055
+.00114
+.00059
+.00098
.00000
.00055
.00154
.00000
.00098
+.00236
.00000
.00079
.00315
.00000
.00236

+.00031
.00000
.00016
.00035
.00000
.00020
+.00024
+.00004
+.00067
+.00047
+.00047
.00000
.00039
.00071
.00016
.00047
.00000
.00031
+.00035
+.00004
+.00079
+.00047
+.00071
.00000
.00079
.00150
.00039
.00110
.00000
.00071
+.00146
+.00075
+.00118
.00000
.00079
.00197
.00000
.00118
+.00295
.00000
.00118
.00413
.00000
.00295

+.00035
.00000
.00020
.00043
.00000
.00024
+.00028
+.00008
+.00083
+.00059
+.00059
.00000
.00051
.00087
.00020
.00055
.00000
.00035
+.00039
+.00004
+.00094
+.00059
+.00087
.00000
.00098
.00185
.00051
.00138
.00000
.00087
+.00177
+.00091
+.00142
.00000
.00098
.00240
.00000
.00142
+.00354
.00000
.00157
.00512
.00000
.00354

+.00043
.00000
.00024
.00055
.00000
.00031
+.00035
+.00008
+.00102
+.00071
+.00071
.00000
.00063
.00106
.00024
.00067
.00000
.00043
+.00047
+.00004
+.00114
+.00071
+.00106
.00000
.00126
.00232
.00063
.00169
.00000
.00106
+.00217
+.00110
+.00169
.00000
.00126
.00295
.00000
.00169
+.00433
.00000
.00197
.00630
.00000
.00433

+.00051
.00000
.00028
.00063
.00000
.00035
+.00043
+.00008
+.00122
+.00087
+.00083
.00000
.00079
.00130
.00028
.00079
.00000
.00051
+.00059
+.00008
+.00138
+.00087
+.00130
.00000
.00157
.00287
.00079
.00209
.00000
.00130
+.00268
+.00138
+.00205
.00000
.00157
.00362
.00000
.00205
+.00512
.00000
.00256
.00768
.00000
.00512

+.00063
.00000
.00035
.00079
.00000
.00043
+.00051
+.00008
+.00146
+.00102
+.00098
.00000
.00098
.00161
.00035
.00098
.00000
.00063
+.00071
+.00008
+.00165
+.00102
+.00154
.00000
.00197
.00350
.00098
.00252
.00000
.00154
+.00323
+.00169
+.00244
.00000
.00197
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