What Size Drill Bit

7/8-14 tap drill size

13/16"

Inches
0.8125
Millimetres
20.64
Thread
67%

Drill a 13/16" hole before cutting a 7/8-14 thread. That is the standard tap drill for about 75% thread.

0.8125" 0.875" thread

7/8-14 thread and hole sizes

Thread7/8 diameter, 14 threads per inch, fine (UNF)
Major diameter0.8750 in 22.22 mm
Pitch0.0714 in 1.814 mm
Tap drill, about 75% thread13/16" 0.8125 in
Tap drill, about 50% thread53/64" 0.8281 in, for stainless and other hard materials
Clearance hole, close fit57/64" 0.8906 in
Clearance hole, free fit29/32" 0.9062 in
Nearest metric bit20.6 mm

Why 13/16"

A tap cuts threads into the wall of a hole, so the hole has to be smaller than the screw. For a 7/8-14 thread the hole that leaves exactly 75% thread is 0.8054 in. The closest standard bit is 13/16" at 0.8125 in, which leaves 67%.

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.

Tools for this job

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