© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

ISO TC 1 N 586
Date: 2009-12-7

ISO/NP 965-1ISO/WD 965-1

ISO TC 1/WG

Secretariat: SAC

ISO general-purpose metric screw threads — Tolerances — Part 1:

Principles and basic data
Filetages métriques ISO pour usages généraux — Tolérances —
Partie 1: Principes et données fondamentales

Warning

This document is not an ISO International Standard. It is distributed for review and comment. It is subject to
change without notice and may not be referred to as an International Standard.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Document type: ISOInternational Standard

Document subtype:
Document stage: NP(20) Preparatory
Document language: EE

D:\ISO\isomacroserver-prod\temp\DOC2PS\DOC2PS.appladmin@srvappl02_18\862984051685.doc STD
Version 2.1c2
ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Copyright notice
This ISO document is a working draft or committee draft and is copyright-protected by ISO. While the
reproduction of working drafts or committee drafts in any form for use by participants in the ISO standards
development process is permitted without prior permission from ISO, neither this document nor any extract
from it may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form for any other purpose without prior written
permission from ISO.

Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the purpose of selling it should be addressed as
shown below or to ISO's member body in the country of the requester:
SAC copyright office
No. 9, East Madian Road, Beijing
Tel. +86 10 8826 2630
Fax. +86 10
E-mail
Web www.sac.org.cn

Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.

Violators may be prosecuted.

ii © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Contents Page

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................iv
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................1
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................1
3 Terms and symbols ...............................................................................................................................1
3.1 Terms ......................................................................................................................................................1
3.2 Symbols..................................................................................................................................................1
4 Structure of metric tolerance ...............................................................................................................2
5 Tolerance positions...............................................................................................................................2
6 Tolerance grades ...................................................................................................................................4
7 Lengths of thread engagement ............................................................................................................9
8 Recommended tolerance classes......................................................................................................10
8.1 Tolerance quality .................................................................................................................................10
8.2 Recommended tolerance classes......................................................................................................10
8.3 The combination of internal threads and external threads .............................................................10
8.4 Coated threads.....................................................................................................................................11
9 Multiple-start threads ..........................................................................................................................11
10 Formulae...............................................................................................................................................11
10.1 The usage of formulae ........................................................................................................................11
10.2 Fundamental deviations .....................................................................................................................11
10.3 Length of thread engagement ............................................................................................................12
10.4 Crest diameter tolerances ..................................................................................................................12
10.5 Pitch diameter tolerances...................................................................................................................13
11 Designation ..........................................................................................................................................13
11.1 General .................................................................................................................................................13
11.2 Designation of single-start screw threads ........................................................................................14
11.3 Designation of multiple-start screw threads ....................................................................................15
11.4 Designation of left hand threads........................................................................................................15
11.5 Designation of coated threads ...........................................................................................................16
11.6 Designation of the threads with special tolerances.........................................................................16
12 Root contours ......................................................................................................................................16
Bibliography......................................................................................................................................................18

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved iii

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

ISO 965-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 1, Screw Threads.

This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 965-1:1998), which has been technically revised.

ISO 965 consists of the following parts, under the general title ISO general-purpose metric screw threads —
Tolerances:

⎯ Part 1: Principles and basic data

⎯ Part 2: Limits of sizes for general purpose external and internal screw threads – Medium quality

⎯ Part 3: Deviations for constructional screw threads

⎯ Part 4: Limits of sizes for hot-dip galvanized external threads to mate with internal threads tapped with
tolerance position H or G after galvanizing

⎯ Part 5: Limits of sizes for internal screw threads to mate with hot-dip galvanized external screw threads
with maximum size of tolerance position h before galvanizing

iv © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Introduction

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved v

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)WORKING DRAFT ISO/WD 965-1

ISO general-purpose metric screw threads — Tolerances —

Part 1: Principles and basic data

1 Scope
This part of ISO 965 specifies a tolerance system for ISO general purpose metric screw threads (M)
conforming to ISO 261.

The tolerance system refers to the basic profile in accordance with ISO 68-1.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 68-1, ISO general purpose screw threads — Basic profile — Part 1: Metric screw threads

ISO 261, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — General plan

ISO 1502, ISO general purpose metric screw threads — Gauges and gauging

ISO 5408, Screw threads — Vocabulary

3 Terms and symbols

3.1 Terms

For the purpose of this part of ISO 965 the terms given in ISO 5408 apply.

3.2 Symbols

The following symbols are used:

Symbol Explanation
D basic major diameter of internal thread;
D1 basic minor diameter of internal thread;
D2 basic pitch diameter of internal thread;
d basic major diameter of external thread;
d1 basic minor diameter of external thread;
d2 basic pitch diameter of external thread;
d3 minor diameter of external thread (see Figure 6);
P pitch;

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 1

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Ph lead;
H height of fundamental triangle;
S designation for thread engagement group "short";
N designation for thread engagement group "normal";
L designation for thread engagement group "long";
T tolerance;
TD1, TD2, Td, Td2 tolerances for D1, D2, d, d2;
ei, EI lower deviations (see Figure 1);
es, ES upper deviations (see Figure 1);
R root radius of external thread;
C root truncation of external thread.

Figure 1 — Position of tolerances with respect to zero line (basic size)

4 Structure of metric tolerance

Metric tolerances are defined by tolerance grades and tolerance positions. The tolerance grades are
expressed by number, such as 4, 6 and 8. The tolerance positions are expressed by letter, such as H, G,
h and g. Tolerance symbols are the combination of the number and the letter, for example, 6H and 6g.

5 Tolerance positions
The following tolerance positions are standardized:

⎯ for internal threads: G with positive fundamental deviation (EI), shown in Figure 2;

H with zero fundamental deviation (EI), shown in Figure 3.

⎯ for external threads: e, f and g with negative fundamental deviation (es), shown in Figure 4;

h with zero fundamental deviation (es), shown in Figure 5.

The fundamental deviations for internal threads and external threads are given in Table 1.

2 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

The established tolerance positions comply with the need of current coating thickness and with the demands
of easy assembly.

Figure 2 — Internal threads with tolerance Figure 3 — Internal threads with tolerance
position G position H

a Application only in connection with minimum material a Application only in connection with minimum material
limits (d2 min), see clause 12, Figure 6. limits (d2 min), see clause 12, Figure 6.

Figure 4 — External threads with tolerance Figure 5 — External threads with tolerance
positions e, f and g position h

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 3

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Table 1 — Fundamental deviations for internal threads and external threads

Fundamental deviations
Pitch Internal thread External thread
P
G H e f g h
EI EI es es es es
mm µm µm µm µm µm µm

6 Tolerance grades

The following tolerance grades for each of the four screw thread diameters are standardized:

4 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Tolerance grades
D1 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
d 4, 6, 8
D2 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
d2 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Details of tolerance grades and combinations of tolerance grades for pitch and crest diameters according
to tolerance quality and length of engagement group required, with order of preference, are shown in
clause 8.

In some grades, certain tolerance values for small pitches are not shown in tolerance tables because of
insufficient thread overlap or the requirement that the pitch diameter tolerance shall not exceed the crest
diameter tolerance.

The minor diameter tolerances of internal thread (TD1) are given in Table 2.

Table 2 — Minor diameter tolerances of internal thread (TD1)

Pitch Tolerance grades

P 4 5 6 7 8
mm µm µm µm µm µm

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 5

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

The major diameter tolerances of external thread (Td) are given in Table 3. The tolerance grades 5 and 7 do
not exist for them.

Table 3 — Major diameter tolerances of external thread (Td)

Pitch Tolerance grades

P 4 5 6
mm µm µm µm

The pitch diameter tolerances of internal thread (TD2) are given in Table 4.

The pitch diameter tolerances of external thread (Td2) are given in Table 5.

6 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Table 4 — Pitch diameter tolerances of internal thread (TD2)

Basic major diameter
Tolerance grades
D Pitch
up to and P
over 4 5 6 7 8
including
mm mm mm µm µm µm µm µm

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 7

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Table 5 — Pitch diameter tolerances of external thread (Td2)

Basic major diameter
Tolerance grades
d Pitch
up to and P
over 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
including
mm mm mm µm µm µm µm µm µm µm

8 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

7 Lengths of thread engagement

The lengths of thread engagement are classified into one of three groups S, N or L, in accordance with Table 6.

Table 6 — Lengths of thread engagement

Dimensions in millimeters
Basic major diameter Lengths of thread engagement
D, d Pitch S N L
up to and P up to and up to and
over over over
including including including

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 9

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

8 Recommended tolerance classes

8.1 Tolerance quality

The following general rules can be formulated for the choice of tolerance quality:

⎯ fine: for precision threads, when little variation of fit character is needed;

⎯ medium: for general use;

⎯ coarse: for cases where manufacturing difficulties can arise, for example when threading hot-rolled bars
and long blind holes.

8.2 Recommended tolerance classes

In order to reduce the number of gauges and tools, the tolerance classes should preferably be chosen from
Tables 7 and 8. Other tolerance classes shall only be used for special cases.

If the actual length of thread engagement is unknown (as in the manufacturing of standard bolts), group N is
recommended.

Tolerance classes within broad frames are selected for commercial external and internal threads.

Tolerance classes in bold print, ordinary print and parentheses are first, second and third choices respectively.

Table 7 — Recommended tolerance classes for internal threads

Tolerance Tolerance position G Tolerance position H

quality S N L S N L
Fine - - - 4H 5H 6H
Medium (5G) 6G (7G) 5H 6H 7H
coarse - (7G) (8G) - 7H 8H

Table 8 — Recommended tolerance classes for external threads

Tolerance Tolerance position e Tolerance position f Tolerance position g Tolerance position h

quality S N L S N L S N L S N L
Fine - - - - - - - (4g) (5g4g) (3h4h) 4h (5h4h)
Medium - 6e (7e6e) - 6f - (5g6g) 6g (7g6g) (5h6h) 6h (7h6h)
coarse - (8e) (9e8e) - - - - 8g (9g8g) - - -

8.3 The combination of internal threads and external threads

Any of the recommended tolerance classes for internal threads can be combined with any of the
recommended tolerance classes for external threads. However, in order to guarantee sufficient overlap, the
finished components should preferably be made to form the fits H/g, H/h or G/h. For thread sizes M1,4 and
smaller the combinations 5H/6h, 4H/6h or finer shall be chosen.

10 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

8.4 Coated threads

For coated threads, the tolerances apply to the parts before coating, unless otherwise state. After coating, the
actual thread profile shall not at any point transgress the maximum material limits for positions H or h.

If the maximum material limits after coating are not the position of H or h, ''BEF'' should be added for before
coating tolerance, and ''AFT'' for after coating tolerance.

NOTE These provisions are intended for thin coatings, e.g. those obtained by electroplating.

9 Multiple-start threads
The tolerances for multiple-start threads are the same as for single-start threads, with the exception of the
pitch diameter tolerances which are enlarged.

For multiple-start threads, the tolerance values for TD2 and Td2, specified in Tables 4 and 5, shall be multiplied
by a factor according to Table 9.

Table 9 — Factors for multiple-start threads

Number of starts 2 3 4 5 and larger

Factor 1.12 1.25 1.4 1.6

10 Formulae

10.1 General

The tolerance values given in this part of ISO 965 are based on experience. In order to obtain a consistent
system, mathematical formulae have been developed.

The values for pitch and crest diameter tolerances and for fundamental deviations are calculated from the
formulae and then rounded off to the nearest value in the R 40 series of preferred numbers. However, when
decimals appear, the value is further rounded off to the nearest whole number.

In order to reproduce a smooth progression, these rules of rounding off are not always used.

When the tolerance values calculated by the formulae are different from the values specified by the tolerance
tables, the late values shall be preferred to the front values.

Following formulae can be used to decide the tolerances which are not included by the tolerance tables.

10.2 Fundamental deviations

The fundamental deviations for threads are calculated according to the following formulae:

EIG = + (15 + 11 P);

EIH = 0;

ese = – (50 + 11 P)1);

esf = – (30 + 11 P)2);

1) Exceptions are values for threads with P ≤ 0,45 millimetres.

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 11

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

esg = – (15 + 11 P);

esh = 0.

where EI and es are expressed in micrometers and P is expressed in millimeters.

10.3 Length of thread engagement

For the calculation of the limits of the normal length of thread engagement lN, the following rule is applied.

For each pitch within a certain diameter range, d is set equal to the smallest diameter (within the range) which
appears in the general plan (according to ISO 261).
0,2
lN min (approximate) = 2,24 P d ;
0,2
lN max (approximate) = 6,7 P d .

where lN, P and d are expressed in millimeters.

10.4 Crest diameter tolerances

10.4.1 Tolerances for major diameter of external thread (Td)

These tolerances for grade 6 are calculated according to the following formula:

where Td is expressed in micrometers and P is expressed in millimeters.

Td -tolerances for the other grades are obtained from the Td(6)-values according to Table 10.

Table 10 — Td -tolerances for the other grades

Tolerance grade
4 6 8
0,63 Td(6) Td(6) 1,6 Td(6)

10.4.2 Tolerances for minor diameter of internal thread (TD1)

TD1 -Tolerances for grade 6 are calculated according to the following formulae:

a) Pitches 0,2 mm to 0,8 mm

1,22
TD1(6) = 433 P – 190 P ;

b) Pitch 1 mm and coarser

0,7
TD1(6) = 230 P .

where TD1 is expressed in micrometers and P is expressed in millimeters.

2) Does not apply for P ≤ 0,3 millimetres.

12 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

The values for the other grades are obtained from the TD1(6)-values according to Table 11.

Table 11 — TD1 -tolerances for the other grades

Tolerance grade
4 5 6 7 8
0,63 TD1(6) 0,8 TD1(6) TD1(6) 1,25 TD1(6) 1,6 TD1(6)

10.5 Pitch diameter tolerances

10.5.1 Tolerances for pitch diameter of external thread (Td2)

Td2(6)-values are calculated according to the following formulae (d being equal to the geometrical mean value
of the diameter range limits):
0,4 0,1
Td2(6) = 90 P d

where Td2(6) is expressed in micrometers and P and d are expressed in millimeters.

The values for the other grades are obtained from the Td2(6)-values according to Table 12.

Table 12 — Td2 -tolerances for the other grades

Tolerance grade
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0,5 Td2(6) 0,63 Td2(6) 0,8 Td2(6) Td2(6) 1,25 Td2(6) 1,6 Td2(6) 2 Td2(6)

No Td2-values are given when values calculated according to the given formulae exceed the Td-values in
the tolerance grades which are combined for recommended tolerance classes.

10.5.2 Tolerances for pitch diameter of internal thread (TD2)

TD2-values are obtained from the Td2 (6)-values according to Table 13.

Table 13 — TD2 -tolerances for the other grades

Tolerance grade
4 5 6 7 8
0,85 Td2(6) 1,06 Td2(6) 1,32 Td2(6) 1,7 Td2(6) 2,12 Td2(6)

No TD2-values are given when values calculated according to the given formulae exceed 0,25P.

11 Designation

11.1 General

The complete designation for a screw thread comprises a designation for the thread system and size, a
designation for the thread tolerance class followed by further individual items if necessary.

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 13

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

11.2 Designation of single-start screw threads

A screw thread complying with the requirements of the International Standards for ISO general purpose metric
screw threads in accordance with ISO 68-1, ISO 261 and this part of ISO 965 shall be designated by the letter
M followed by the value of the nominal diameter and of the pitch, expressed in millimeters and separated by
the sign "×".

EXAMPLE M8 × 1,25

For coarse pitch threads listed in ISO 261, the pitch may be omitted.

EXAMPLE M8

The tolerances class designation comprises a class designation for the pitch diameter tolerance followed by a
class designation for the crest diameter tolerance.

Each class designation consists of

⎯ a figure indicating the tolerance grade;

⎯ a letter indicating the tolerance position, capital for internal threads, small for external threads.

If the two class designations for the pitch diameter and crest diameter (minor or major diameter for internal
and external threads respectively) are the same it is not necessary to repeat the symbols.

EXAMPLES

External thread
M10×1 – 5g 6g
Thread of 10 mm nominal diameter have a pitch of 1 mm

Tolerance class for pitch diameter

Tolerance class for major diameter

M10 -- 6g
Thread of 10 mm nominal diameter in the coarse pitch series

Tolerance class for pitch and major diameters

Internal thread
M10×1 – 5H 6H
Thread of 10 mm nominal diameter have a pitch of 1 mm

Tolerance class for pitch diameter

Tolerance class for minor diameter

M10 -- 6H
Thread of 10 mm nominal diameter in the coarse pitch series

Tolerance class for pitch and minor diameters

A fit between threaded parts is indicated by the internal thread tolerance class followed by the external thread
tolerance class separated by a stroke.

EXAMPLE M6 – 6H/6g

14 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

M20 × 2 – 6H/5g6g

The absence of tolerance class designation means that tolerance quality "medium" with the following
tolerance classes is specified:

Internal threads

⎯ 5H for threads up to and including M1,4;

⎯ 6H for threads M1,6 and larger.

NOTE Except for threads with pitch P = 0,2 mm for which the tolerance grade 4 is defined only.

External threads

⎯ 6h for threads up to and including M1,4;

⎯ 6g for threads M1,6 and larger.

The designation for the group of length of thread engagement "short" S and "long" L should be added to
the tolerance class designation separated by a dash.

EXAMPLE M20 × 2 – 5H – S

M6 – 7H/7g6g – L

The absence of the designation for the group of length of thread engagement means the group "normal"
N is specified.

11.3 Designation of multiple-start screw threads

Multiple-start metric screw threads shall be designated by the letter M followed by the value of the
nominal diameter, the sign ''×'', the letters Ph and the value of the lead, the letter P and the value of the
pitch, a dash and the tolerance class. Nominal diameter, lead and pitch are expressed in millimeters.

EXAMPLE M16 × Ph3P1,5 – 6H

For extra clarity the number of starts, i.e. the value of Ph/ P, may be added in verbal form and in
parenthesis.

EXAMPLE M16 × Ph3P1,5 (two starts) – 6H

11.4 Designation of left hand threads

When left hand threads are specified the letters LH shall be added to the thread designation, separated by a
dash.

EXAMPLE M8 × 1 – LH

M6 × 0,75 – 5h6h – S – LH

M14 × Ph6P2 – 7H – L – LH

M14 × Ph6P2 (three starts) – 7H – L – LH

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 15

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

11.5 Designation of coated threads

If the actual thread profile after coating does not transgress the maximum material limits for positions H or h,
the tolerance class before coating should be added to the designation for coated threads.

EXAMPLE M8 × 1 – 6H

M6 × 0,75 – 6g

If the maximum material limits after coating are not the position of H or h, ''BEF'' and ''AFT'' should be added
to the before coating tolerance class and the after coating tolerance class respectively.

EXAMPLE M8 × 1 – 6g AFT

M8 × 1 – 6f BEF

11.6 Designation of the threads with special tolerances

If special tolerances are not included by the tolerance tables, the tolerance formulae can be used to decide
them. In this case the special tolerances should be added to the designation of the threads.

EXAMPLE M8 × 0.35 – 5H
TD2 = 80

M6×0.35 – 5h6h
Td2 = 60

12 Root contours
For internal threads as well as for external threads, the actual root contours shall not at any point transgress
the maximum material limit which is decided by the basic profile and the tolerance position, shown in Figure 6.

For external threads on fasteners of property class 8.8 and higher (see ISO 898-1), the root profile shall have
a non-reversing curvature, no portion of which shall have a radius of less than 0,125 P. The minimum radius,
Rmin, is given in Table 14.

In the maximum minor diameter position, d3max, the two radii Rmin = 0,125 P will go through the points of
intersection between the maximum material flanks and the minor diameter cylinder of the Go-gauges
according to ISO 1502 and blend tangentially into the minimum material flanks.

The maximum truncation, Cmax, is calculated according to the following formula:

It is, however, advisable to aspire to a truncation of H/6 (R = 0,144 34 P) and to take H/6 as the basis for
stress calculation of the minor diameter, d3, of external threads (for corresponding values see ISO 965-3).

The minimum truncation, Cmin, is calculated according to the following formula:

Cmin = 0,125 P = H/7

External threads on fasteners of property classes below 8.8 should preferably conform to the requirements
stated above. This is particularly important for fasteners or other screwed connections which are subjected to
fatigue or impact. However, there are in principle no restrictions other than that the maximum minor diameter,
d3max, of the external thread shall be less than the minimum minor diameter of the Go-gauges according to
ISO 1502.

16 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

 ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Figure 6 — External root profile

Table 14 — Minimum root radii

Pitch Rmin
P
mm µm

© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved 17

ISO/NP 965-1:2010 (E)ISO/WD 965-1

Bibliography

[1] ISO 898-1, Mechanical properties of fasteners made of carbon steel and alloy steel — Part 1: Bolts,
screws and studs with specified property classes — Coarse thread and fine pitch thread

[2] ISO 965-3, ISO general purpose screw threads — Tolerances — Part 3: Deviations for constructional
screw threads

18 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved