Tap Drill Size Chart

I Drill Size

letter drill

I 0.272 in 6.91 mm

A I drill is the standard tap drill for 5/16-24.

What a I drill taps

Every thread this drill cuts between 50% and 85% of thread, deepest first. Outside that band it is the wrong drill for the job, so nothing below that line is listed.

Threads a I drill taps, with the percent of thread each one gets and the published chart drill for comparison.
Thread % thread Chart drill Chart %
M8 x 1 84.0% 7 mm 77.0%
5/16-24 chart drill 74.8% I 74.8%
M8 x 1.25 67.2% 6.8 mm 73.9%
5/16-18 56.1% F 76.9%

Other jobs for a I

Hard-material tap drill
The size to use in stainless or tool steel for 5/16-18, where it leaves a shallower thread than the standard drill and cuts tapping torque.

Drills either side

All drill sizes → · Open this drill in the calculator →

I drill: common questions

What size is a I drill?
0.272 inches, which is 6.91 mm. It is a letter drill.
What can I tap with a I drill?
4 threads: M8 x 1 at 84.0%, 5/16-24 at 74.8%, M8 x 1.25 at 67.2%, 5/16-18 at 56.1%.
Is a I drill the standard tap drill for anything?
Yes, for 5/16-24 (74.8% thread). That is the size published tap and drill charts give.
What drill is next to a I?
Down: 6.9 mm at 0.2717 in. Up: 7 mm at 0.2756 in.