Chapter 20
Geometrical tolerancing
and datums
Geometrical tolerances
The object of this section is to illustrate and interpret
in simple terms the advantages of calling for
geometrical tolerances on engineering drawings, and
also to show that, when correctly used, they ensure
that communica- tions between the drawing office and
the workshop are complete and incapable of mis-
interpretation, regardless of any language barrier.
Applications
Geometrical tolerances are applied over and above
normal dimensional tolerances when it is necessary to
control more precisely the form or shape of some
feature of a manufactured part, because of the
particular duty that the part has to perform. In the
past, the desired qualities would have been obtained
by adding to drawings such expressions as ‘surfaces
to be true with one another’, ‘surfaces to be square
with one another’, ‘surfaces to be flat and parallel’,
etc., and leaving it to workshop tradition to provide a
satisfactory inter- pretation of the requirements.
Advantages
Geometrical tolerances are used to convey in a brief
and precise manner complete geometrical
requirements on engineering drawings. They should
always be considered for surfaces which come into
contact with other parts, especially when close
tolerances are applied to the features concerned.
No language barrier exists, as the symbols used are
in agreement with published recommendations of the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
and have been internationally agreed. BS 8888
incorporates these symbols.
Caution. It must be emphasized that geometrical
tolerances should be applied only when real
advantages result, when normal methods of
dimensioning are considered inadequate to ensure
that the design function is kept, especially where
repeatability must be guaranteed. Indiscriminate use
of geometrical tolerances
could increase costs in manufacture and inspection.
Tolerances should be as wide as possible, as the
satisfactory design function permits.
General rules
The symbols relating to geometrical characteristics
are shown in Fig. 20.1 with additional symbols used
in tolerancing in Fig. 20.1A. Examination of the
various terms – flatness, straightness, concentricity,
etc. – used to describe the geometrical characteristics
shows that one type of geometrical tolerance can
control another form of geometrical error.
For example, a positional tolerance can control
perpendicularity and straightness; parallelism,
perpendicularity, and angularity tolerances can control
flatness.
The use of geometrical tolerances does not involve
or imply any particular method of manufacture or
inspection. Geometrical tolerances shown in this
book, in keeping with international conventions, must
be met regardless of feature size unless modified by
one of the following conditions:
(a) Maximum material condition, denoted by the
symbol M describes a part, which contains the
maximum amount of material, i.e. the minimum
size hole or the maximum size shaft.
(b) Least material condition, denoted by the symbol
L describes a part, which contains the minimum
amount of material, i.e. the maximum size hole or
the minimum size shaft.
Theoretically exact dimensions
(Fig. 20.2)
These dimensions are identified by enclosure in a
rectangular box, e.g. 50 EQUI-SPACED 60 Ø30
and are commonly known as ‘Boxed dimensions’.
They define the true position of a hole, slot, boss
profile, etc.
Boxed dimensions are never individually
toleranced but are always accompanied by a
positional or zone tolerance specified within the
tolerance frame referring to the feature.
 Geometrical tolerancing and datums 161

Symbols for geometrical characteristics

Type of Characteristics Symbol Datum Applications

tolerance to be toleranced needed

Straightness No A straight line. The edge or axis of a feature.

Flatness No A plane surface.

Form Roundness No The periphery of a circle.Cross-section of a bore,

cylinder, cone or sphere.

The combination of circularity, straightness and

Cylindricity No parallelism of cylindrical surfaces. Mating bores and
plungers.

Profile of a line No The profile of a straight or irregular line.

Profile of a surface No The profile of a straight or irregular surface.

Parallelism of a feature related to a datum. Can control

Parallelism Yes
flatness when related to a datum.

Surfaces, axes, or lines positioned at right angles to

Perpendicularity Yes
each other.

Orientation Angularity Yes The angular displacement of surfaces, axes, or lines

from a datum.
The profile of a straight or irregular line positioned by
Profile of a line Yes theoretical exact dimensions with respect to datum
plane(s).
The profile of a straight or irregular surface positioned by
Profile of a surface Yes theoretical exact dimensions with respect to datum
plane(s).

Position See The deviation of a feature from a true position.

note below

Concentricity The relationship between two circles having a common

and coaxiality Yes centre or two cylinders having a common axis.

Location Symmetry Yes The symmetrical position of a feature related to a datum.

The profile of a straight or irregular line positioned by

Profile of a line Yes theoretical exact dimensions with respect to datum
plane(s).
The profile of a straight or irregular surface positioned by
Profile of a surface Yes theoretical exact dimensions with respect to datum
plane(s).

Circular runout Yes The position of a point fixed on a surface of a part which
is rotated 360 about its datum axis.
Runout

Total runout Yes The relative position of a point when traversed along a
surface rotating about its datum axis.

Note: If two or more groups of features are shown on the same axis, they shall be considered to be a single pattern
when not related to a datum.

Fig. 20.1
162 Manual of Engineering Drawing
Ø2
Datum target indication A1
Additional symbols

Description Symbols
Theoretically exact 50
dimension
Toleranced feature
indication Projected tolerance zone P

Maximum material
M
requirement
A A
Datum feature indication Least material L
requirement
 Free state condition
F
(non-rigid parts)

All around profile and lower limit of size is known as the ‘tolerance’. In
the example above, the tolerance is 0.2 mm. The
tolerance is the amount of variation permitted.
Envelope requirement E
Nominal dimension Limits and tolerances are based
Common zone CZ on ‘nominal dimensions’ which are target dimensions.
In practice there is no such thing as a nominal
Fig. 20.1A dimension, since no part can be manufactured to a
theoretical exact size.
Definitions The limits referred to above can be set in two ways:
(a) unilateral limits – limits set wholly above or
Limits The maximum and minimum dimensions for below the nominal size;
a given feature are known as the ‘limits’. For (b) bilateral limits – limits set partly above and partly
example, 20  0.1. below the nominal size.
The upper and lower limits of size are 20.1 mm and
19.9 mm respectively. Geometrical tolerance These tolerances specify the
maximum error of a component’s geometrical
Tolerance The algebraic difference between the characteristic, over its whole dimensioned length or
upper surface. Defining a zone in which the feature may lie
does this.

Tolerance zone A tolerance zone is the space in

which any deviation of the feature must be
contained.
e.g. – the space within a circle;
the space between two concentric circles;
the space between two equidistant lines or two
parallel straight lines;
the space within a cylinder;
the space between two coaxial cylinders;
the space between two equidistant surfaces or
two parallel planes;
the space within a sphere.
The tolerance applies to the whole extent of the
considered feature unless otherwise specified.

Method of indicating geometrical

tolerances on drawings
Geometrical tolerances are indicated by stating the
following details in compartments in a rectangular
frame.
6  Ø 20
Ø 0.2 A B
B

0.1 A
60

60
30

30 60 60 30 A

Fig. 20.2
Geometrical tolerancing and datums 163

(a) the characteristic symbol, for single or related 4 Holes 6

features; Ø 0.01 Ø 0.1
(b) the tolerance value
(i) preceded by Ø if the zone is circular or cylindrical,
 (ii) preceded by SØ if the zone is spherical; Fig. 20.8 Fig. 20.9
(c) Letter or letters identifying the datum or datum
systems. Indications qualifying the feature within the
tolerance zone should be written near the tolerance
Fig. 20.3 shows examples. frame and may be connected by a leader line.
Third compartment:
0.3 Not
convex
Left-hand compartment: datum identification letter(s) Fig. 20.10
symbol for characteris tic
0.2
Ø 0.03 X If it is necessary to specify more than one tolerance
characteristic for a feature, the tolerance specification
Second compartment: should be given in tolerance frames positioned one
total tolerance value in the unit used under the other as shown.
for linear dimensions

Fig. 20.3 0.01

0.06 B

Methods of applying the tolerance frame Fig. 20.11

to the toleranced feature
The application of tolerances to a
Figures 20.4 and 20.5 illustrate alternative methods of restricted length of a feature
referring the tolerance to the surface or the plane
itself. Note that in Fig. 20.5 the dimension line and Figure 20.12 shows the method of applying a tolerance
frame leader line are offset. to only a particular part of a feature.
0.01

Fig. 20.4 Fig. 20.5 Fig. 20.12

The tolerance frame in Fig. 20.13 shows the

The tolerance frame as shown in Fig. 20.6 refers to
the axis or median plane only of the dimensioned
feature.
Figure 20.7 illustrates the method of referring the
tolerance to the axis or median plane. Note that the
dimension line and frame leader line are drawn in
line.
method of applying another tolerance, similar in type
but smaller in magnitude, on a shorter length. In this
case, the whole flat surface must lie between parallel
planes 0.2 apart, but over any length of 180 mm, in
any direction, the surface must be within 0.05.
Tolerance of whole
0.2 feature
0.05/180

Tolerance Length
value applicable
Fig. 20.13

Figure 20.14 shows the method used to apply a

tolerance over a given length; it allows the tolerance
Fig. 20.6 Fig. 20.7
0.02/100
Procedure for positioning remarks
which are related to tolerance
Remarks related to the tolerance for example ‘4
holes’, ‘2 surfaces’ or ‘6x’ should be written above Fig. 20.14
the frame.