3/4" NPT tap drill size

For a 3/4" NPT taper pipe tap, drill 59/64" (23.42 mm). The nearest metric drill is 23.5 mm.

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Drilling and tapping

Taper pipe taps cut the full thread form as they go deeper, so there is no “% of thread” choice: use the chart drill. For a better taper form, drill a few thou smaller and finish with a 1:16 taper pipe reamer before tapping.

About this size

NPT is the American taper pipe thread (1 in 16 on diameter, 60° form). It seals on the thread with PTFE tape or a thread sealant.

3/4" NPT thread data

Threads per inch14 TPI (1.814 mm pitch)
Thread angle60°
Taper1 in 16 on diameter (1.7899° half-angle)
Pipe outside diameter1.050" (26.67 mm)
Pitch diameter at small end (E0)0.968" (24.579 mm)
Pitch diameter at gauge plane (E1)0.989" (25.117 mm)
Hand-tight engagement (L1)0.339" (8.61 mm)
Effective thread length (L2)0.546" (13.86 mm)
Thread height1.451 mm

Quick calculator: taper diameter

Nearest alternatives

Same nominal size, British parallel pipe: G3/4 (3/4" BSP).

Questions

What size drill for a 3/4" NPT tap?

For a 3/4" NPT taper pipe tap, drill 59/64" (23.42 mm). The nearest metric drill is 23.5 mm.

Will 3/4" NPT screw into 3/4" BSP?

Not properly. 3/4" NPT has 14 TPI and a 60° thread; 3/4" BSP has 14 TPI and a 55° thread. The pitch is the same, so they may start, but the angles differ and the joint will not seal reliably. Use an adaptor.

What is the hand-tight engagement of 3/4" NPT?

About 8.61 mm (0.339"), the L1 length in ASME B1.20.1. Wrench make-up adds a few more turns.

Sources: Basic dimensions per ASME B1.20.1. Drill from the common taper-pipe-tap chart (drill only, no reamer). Values are for reference only – check your tap maker’s chart. See the disclaimer.

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