What Size Drill Bit

1-8 tap drill size

7/8"

Inches
0.8750
Millimetres
22.22
Thread
77%

Drill a 7/8" hole before cutting a 1-8 thread. That is the standard tap drill for about 75% thread.

0.8750" 1.000" thread

1-8 thread and hole sizes

Thread1 diameter, 8 threads per inch, coarse (UNC)
Major diameter1.0000 in 25.40 mm
Pitch0.1250 in 3.175 mm
Tap drill, about 75% thread7/8" 0.8750 in
Tap drill, about 50% thread59/64" 0.9219 in, for stainless and other hard materials
Clearance hole, close fit1-1/64" 1.0156 in
Clearance hole, free fit1-1/32" 1.0312 in
Nearest metric bit22.2 mm

Why 7/8"

A tap cuts threads into the wall of a hole, so the hole has to be smaller than the screw. For a 1-8 thread the hole that leaves exactly 75% thread is 0.8782 in. The closest standard bit is 7/8" at 0.8750 in, which leaves 77%.

More thread than that adds almost no strength and makes the tap much easier to break. In hard or tough material, go one step larger.

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