BIZOMAT MAKEOS · Threads

Unified Inch Thread Basic Dimensions

What are the basic pitch and minor diameters and stress area of this UNC or UNF thread?

Basic dimensions of a Unified (UN/UNR) inch thread from its major diameter and threads per inch, in inches and millimetres.

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How this tool works

Inputs, units and where to find them

InputUnitTypical source
Basic major diameterinNominal size in inches (e.g. 0.5 for ½-13 UNC).
Threads per inchTPIThreads per inch from the designation.

What each input means

Open an input to see what it is, its units, the worked example and the common mistakes, with a small diagram.

What this means: Basic major diameter
Illustration: Basic major diameterA screw-thread profile with crests and roots, the pitch from crest to crest and the major and minor diameters, for Basic major diameter.pitchmajorminorDExample: 0.5 inBasic major diameter
What it is
The basic major diameter of the unified inch thread in decimal inches: the size before the dash in the designation, written as a decimal.
Units and format
Enter a number in in: inches. The form accepts 0.000001 in to 40 in. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 0.5 in as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
Get it right
Enter numbered sizes (such as No. 10) as their decimal diameter, and fractions as decimals.
What this means: Threads per inch
Illustration: Threads per inchA screw-thread profile with crests and roots, the pitch from crest to crest and the major and minor diameters, for Threads per inch.pitchmajorminornExample: 13 TPIThreads per inch
What it is
The number of thread crests per inch of length: the number after the dash in the designation. The pitch is one inch divided by this number.
Units and format
Enter a number in TPI: threads per inch. The form accepts 0.000001 TPI to 200 TPI. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 13 TPI as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
Effect on the result
More threads per inch give a finer pitch and larger pitch and minor diameters.
Get it right
Check the series: UNC and UNF threads of the same size have different counts.

Method and formulas

  1. Pitch = 1 ÷ n; H = 0.866025 ÷ n.
  2. Basic pitch diameter E = D − 0.649519 ÷ n; basic minor (internal) = D − 1.082532 ÷ n.
  3. Tensile stress area At = 0.7854 (D − 0.9743 ÷ n)².
  4. Example: 0.5-13 UNC has E = 0.45004 in and At = 0.1419 in².

Limitations

  • Basic profile only; class 2A/2B and 3A/3B limits come from ASME B1.1 tables.
  • Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.

Typical uses

  • Check inch thread dimensions for design or inspection
  • Find the stress area for an inch bolt
  • Convert inch thread data to metric

Who it is for

  • Design engineers
  • Machinists
  • Quality inspectors

What you get

  • Pitch
  • Basic pitch diameter
  • Basic minor diameter (internal)
  • Tensile stress area

Interpreting the result

  • Use the stress area for bolt stress calculations.

References

  • Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 1806–1866. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.

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Open the Unified Inch Thread Basic Dimensions calculator