Characteristic Datum Implied Allowable

Basic definition Tolerance zone shape Key Points

And Symbol Refer. Condition Modifiers
A two dimensional tolerance zone Compares to a
defined by two parallel planes perfect
Flatness within which the entire surface counterpoint of
must lie. None RFS None itself.
Total width
No particular
orientation
A condition where an element of a Compares to a
surface or an axis is a straight line. perfect
counterpoint of
Straightness itself.
Total width
None RFS None (e.g. straight line)
Form Tolerances

Additive to size
Cylindrical
when applied to
an axis.
A condition on a surface of Compares to a
revolution (cylinder, cone, sphere) perfect
where all points of the surface counterpoint of
Circularity
intersected by any plane itself.
perpendicular to a common axis Total width tolerance None RFS None
(cylinder, cone) or passing through zone between two Not additive to
a common center (sphere) are concentric circles. size or location
equidistant from the axis of the limits.
center.
A condition on a surface of Applies over
revolution in which all points of entire surface.
Cylindricity the surface are equidistant from a Like wrapping
common axis. “flatness” around
Total width tolerance None RFS None
cylinder
zone between two
Very expensive,
concentric cylinders.
consider using
Runout
 A uniform two dimensional zone
The profile being
Profile of a line limited by two parallel zone lines
Profile Tolerances

LMC or MMC controlled is

extending along the length of a Total width: can be
Optional RFS on datum ref if defined by Basic
feature. applied bi-directionally feature of size dimensions or by
or uni-directionally to
equation.
either side of profile.
A uniform three dimensional zone
Profile of a The profile being
contained between two envelope LMC or MMC
surface controlled is
surfaces separated by the tolerance Total width: can be on datum ref if
Optional RFS defined by Basic
zone across the entire length of a applied bi-directionally feature of size
dimensions or by
surface. or uni-directionally to (FOS)
equation.
either side of profile.
The distance between two parallel Relation to more
LMC or MMC
planes, inclined at a specified basic than one datum
on feature if
Angularity angle, in which the surface, axis, or should be
FOS.
center plane of the feature must lie. Total width considered to
Yes RFS
stabilize the
LMC or MMC
tolerance zone in
on datum ref
Cylindrical more than one
Orientation Tolerances

if FOS
direction.
The condition of a surface, axis, Relation to more
LMC or MMC
median plane, or line which is than one datum
Perpendicularity on feature if
exactly at 90 degrees with respect should be
FOS.
to a datum plane or axis. Total width considered to
Yes RFS
stabilize the
LMC or MMC
tolerance zone in
on datum ref
Cylindrical more than one
if FOS
direction
The condition of a surface or axis Relation to more
LMC or MMC
which is equidistant at all points than one datum
Parallelism on feature if
from a datum of reference. should be
FOS.
Total width considered to
Yes RFS
stabilize the
LMC or MMC
tolerance zone in
on datum ref
Cylindrical more than one
if FOS
direction
 A composite tolerance used to Can be defined as
control the relationship of one or the relationship
more features of a part to a datum Defined by the full between two
Runout: Circular
axis during a full 360 degree indicator movement features.
Yes RFS None
rotation about the datum axis. (FIM) along an
independant circular Relatively
Runout

element when a feature is inexpensive to

rotated 360 degrees. implement.
Each circular element of the Can be defined as
feature/part must be within the the relationship
Runout: Total runout tolerance. Defined by the full between two
indicator movement features.
Yes RFS None
(FIM) along all circular
elements across the entire Relatively
feature when that feature inexpensive to
is rotated 360 degrees. implement.
A cylindrical tolerance zone whose Must compare
axis coincides with the datum axis axes.
and within which all cross- Defined by a cylindrical
Location

Concentricity sectional axes of the feature being tolerance zone whose Very epensive to
controlled must lie. (Note: axis coincides with the implement.
Yes RFS None
Concentricity is very expensive datum axis and within
and time-consuming to measure. which all cross-sectional Use position,
Recommended that you try axes of the feature being profile, or runout
position or runout as an alternative controlled must lie. instead if possible
tolerance.)
 A zone within which the center, MMC or LMC With the MMC
axis, or center plane of a feature of on the tolerance modifier:
size is permitted ton vary from its if the tolerance
true (theoretically exact) position. is applied to a Permits functional
feature of size gage inspection.
Location

Position or on a datum
Total Width Yes RFS reference if the Allows additional
datum is a tolerance based
Cylindrical feature of size. upon size.

Relatively
inexpensive to
implement.