1/2" BSF tap drill size
The tap drill for 1/2" BSF (16 TPI) is 11.2 mm, which gives about 74% of full thread. There’s no single standard chart size, so this is worked out from the thread profile for 75%.
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Tap drill by thread percentage
75% is the usual workshop figure. Less thread is easier to tap; more adds little strength.
| Thread % | Ideal drill | Nearest metric drill | Nearest imperial drill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 11.48 mm 0.4520" | 11.5 mm (59%) | 29/64" 0.4531" (59%) |
| 65% | 11.379 mm 0.4480" | 11.4 mm (64%) | 29/64" 0.4531" (59%) |
| 70% | 11.277 mm 0.4440" | 11.3 mm (69%) | 7/16" 0.4375" (78%) |
| 75% | 11.175 mm 0.4400" | 11.2 mm (74%) | 7/16" 0.4375" (78%) |
| 80% | 11.074 mm 0.4360" | 11.1 mm (79%) | 7/16" 0.4375" (78%) |
About this size
BSF uses the same 55° Whitworth form as BSW but with a finer pitch. It was the standard steel-bolt thread on British vehicles and machine tools until Unified and metric threads took over.
- For stainless steel, duplex and other tough materials, go to about 65% thread: a 11.4 mm drill gives 64%. For mild steel, brass and cast iron the 11.2 mm is fine.
- For a blind hole with 1.5 × D thread engagement (19 mm), drill about 25.4 mm deep. That leaves room for the 3–4 tapered lead threads on a second or plug tap. In steel, 1 × D engagement is usually enough; in aluminium or cast iron allow 1.5–2 × D.
Clearance holes for 1/2" BSF
| Fit | Drill |
|---|---|
| Close | 17/32" (13.49 mm) |
| Medium (normal) | 35/64" (13.89 mm) |
| Free (loose) | 37/64" (14.68 mm) |
Worked out with our own rule, not taken from a standards table: close = the larger of D + 4% and D + 0.2 mm, medium = the larger of D + 8% and D + 0.4 mm, free = the larger of D + 15% and D + 0.75 mm, each rounded up to the next 1/64". Check against your drawing where the fit matters.
1/2" BSF thread data
| Designation | 1/2" BSF (16 TPI) |
|---|---|
| Standard | BS 84 Whitworth form (55°) |
| Pitch | 16 TPI (1.587 mm pitch) |
| Thread angle | 55° |
| Major diameter | 0.500" (12.7 mm) |
| Pitch (effective) diameter | 0.460" (11.683 mm) |
| Minor diameter, external | 0.420" (10.667 mm) |
| Minor diameter, internal | 0.420" (10.667 mm) |
| Thread depth (internal) | 1.017 mm |
Basic sizes. Real screws are slightly under and real nuts slightly over these values because of tolerance classes.
Quick calculator
Nearest alternatives
If you don’t have the right drill, these give:
- 11.1 mm drill → about 79% thread
- 11.2 mm drill → about 74% thread
- 11.3 mm drill → about 69% thread
Threads close in size (not interchangeable – the pitch and/or angle differ):
- 1/2" UNC – 12.7 mm major, 13 TPI (1.954 mm pitch)
- 1/2" UNF – 12.7 mm major, 20 TPI (1.27 mm pitch)
- 1/2" BSW – 12.7 mm major, 12 TPI (2.117 mm pitch)
- G1/4 (1/4" BSP) – 13.16 mm major, 19 TPI (1.337 mm pitch)
- M12 – 12 mm major, 1.75 mm pitch (14.5 TPI equivalent)
Questions
What size drill for a 1/2" BSF tap?
The tap drill for 1/2" BSF (16 TPI) is 11.2 mm, which gives about 74% of full thread. There’s no single standard chart size, so this is worked out from the thread profile for 75%.
What size clearance hole for 1/2" BSF?
For a 1/2" BSF screw or bolt, drill 17/32" for a close fit, 35/64" for a medium (normal) fit or 37/64" for a free fit. These come from our stated rule, not a standards table.
What is the pitch of 1/2" BSF?
1/2" BSF (16 TPI) has a 16 TPI (1.587 mm pitch), a 55° thread angle and a 12.7 mm major diameter.
Sources: Profile per BS 84 (55° Whitworth). Threads per inch checked 25/10/2026 against published BSW size tables. There is no single standard tapping chart, so the drill is worked out from the profile. Values are for reference only – check your tap maker’s chart. See the disclaimer.
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