8-6 FITS AND ALLOWANCES

THE FIT BETWEEN TWO MATING PARTS IS THE

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEM WITH RESPECT TO
THE AMOUNT OF CLEARANCE OR INTERFERENCE
PRESENT WHEN THEY ARE ASSEMBLED.

Clearance fit: A fit between mating parts having

limits of size so prescribed that a clearance
always results in assembly.
Interference fit: A fit between mating parts
having limits of size so prescribed that an
interference always results in assembly
Transition fit: A fit between mating parts having
limits of size so prescribed as to partially or
wholly overlap, so that either a clearance or an
interference may result in assembly.
ALLOWANCE: AN INTENTIONAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THE MAXIMUM MATERIAL LIMITS OF MATING PARTS. IT IS THE
MINIMUM CLEARANCE (POSITIVE ALLOWANCE) OR MAXIMUM
INTERFERENCE (NEGATIVE ALLOWANCE) BETWEEN PARTS.
Basic size: The size to which limits or deviations are designed. The basic
size if the same for both members of a fit.
Deviation: The algebraic difference between a size and the corresponding
basic size.
Upper deviation: The algebraic difference between the maximum limit of
the size and the corresponding basic size.
Lower deviation: The algebraic difference between the minimum limit of
size and the corresponding basic size.
Tolerance: The difference between the maximum and minimum size
limits on a part.
Tolerance zone: A zone representing the tolerance and its position in
relation to the basic size.
Fundamental deviation: The deviation closest to the basic size.
DESCRIPTION OF FITS
RUNNING AND SLIDING FITS: RUNNING AND SLIDING FITS
FOR WHICH TOLERANCE AND CLEARANCES ARE GIVEN IN THE
APPENDIX REPRESENT A SPECIAL TYPE OF CLEARANCE FIT. THESE ARE
INTENDED TO PROVIDE A SIMILAR RUNNING PERFORMANCE, WITH
SUITABLE LUBRICATION ALLOWANCE, THROUGHOUT THE RANGE OF
SIZES.
LOCATION FITS: ARE INTENDED TO DETERMINE ONLY THE LOCATION
OF MATING PARTS.
CLEARANCE FITS: INTENDED FOR PARTS THAT ARE
NORMALLY STATIONARY BUT CAN BE FREELY ASSEMBLED OR
DISASSEMBLED.
TRANSITION FITS: ARE A COMPROMISE BETWEEN
CLEARANCE AND INTERFERENCE FITS WHEN ACCURACY OF LOCATION
IS IMPORTANT BUT A SMALL AMOUNT OF CLEARANCE OR
INTERFERENCE IS PERMISSIBLE.
INTERFERENCE FITS: ARE USED WHEN ACCURACY OF
LOCATION IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE.

Drive and force fits: constitute a special type of

interference fit, normally characterized by a
maintenance of constant bore pressure
throughout the ranges of sizes.
INTERCHANGEABILITY OF PARTS: THE
BASIS FOR MASS PRODUCTION

No part can be manufactured to exact dimensions

as tool wear, machine variations, and human
factors contribute to deviation from perfection.
Three basic approaches to manufacturing:
1. The completely interchangeable assembly. Parts are
designed with tolerances.
2. The fitted assembly. Mating features are fabricated either
simultaneously or with respect to one another. Individual
members of mating features are not interchangeable.
3. The select assembly. Parts are mass produced, but
member of mating parts are individually selected to
provide the required relationship to one another.
STANDARD INCH FITS: ARE DESIGNATED FOR
DESIGN PURPOSES AND NOT SHOWN ON SHOP
DRAWINGS.

RC Running and sliding fit

LC locational clearance fit
LT locational transition fit
LN locational interference fit
FN force or shrink fit

These letter symbols are used with numbers to

represent classes of fit. For example FN4
represents class 4 force fit.
Appendix tables A38-A54 in Technical Drawing
& Engineering Graphics give the limits of size for
the mating parts.
RUNNING AND SLIDING FITS: RC
RC1 precision sliding fit
RC2 Sliding fit
RC3 Precision running fit
RC4 Close running fit
RC5 and RC6 Medium running fits
RC7 Free running fit
RC8 and RC9 Loose running fits
LOCATIONAL CLEARANCE FITS: INTENDED FOR
PARTS THAT ARE NORMALLY STATIONARY BUT
THAT CAN BE FREELY ASSEMBLED OR
DISASSEMBLED

LC1 to LC4 minimum zero clearance

(theoretical)
LC5 and LC6 small minimum
clearance
(LC1-LC6 nonrunning parts)
LC7 and LC11 loose clearance for
assembly of bolts and similar parts
LOCATIONAL TRANSITIONAL FITS ARE A
COMPROMISE BETWEEN CLEARANCE AND
INTERFERENCE FITS

LT1 and LT2 slight clearance. Assembly

by pressure or light hammer blows
LT3 and LT4 virtually no clearance also
referred to as easy keying fit for shaft
keys. Assembly is by pressure or hammer
blows.
LT5 and LT6 slight interference. These
fits are useful for heavy keying, for ball
race fits subject to heavy duty and
vibration, and as light press fits for steel
parts.
LOCATIONAL INTERFERENCE FITS ARE USED
WHERE ACCURACY OF LOCATION IS OF PRIME
IMPORTANCE.

LN1 and LN2 Light press fits

LN3 heavy press fit
LN4 to LN6 press fits primarily
intended for press fits for more
elastic or soft materials such as light
alloys and more rigid plastics
FORCE OR SHRINK FITS ARE NORMALLY
CHARACTERIZED BY MAINTENANCE OF
CONSTANT BORE PRESSURE THROUGHOUT
THE RANGE OF SIZES

FN1 light drive fit requiring light assembly

pressure and produces more or less permanent
assemblies
FN2 medium drive fit

FN3 heavy drive fit

FN4 and FN5 force fits suitable for parts that can
be highly stressed and/or for shrink fits where
the heavy pressing forces required are
impractical.
BASIC HOLE SYSTEM IS RECOMMENDED
FOR GENERAL USE

The basic size is the design size of the hole

The tolerance will be plus

The design size for the shaft will be the basic size
minus the minimum clearance or plus the
maximum interference and the tolerance will be
minus as given in the tables in the Appendix
Example: 1-in RC7 fit - the limits are
hole1.000 +.0020 limit tolerance: 1.002-1.000
-.0000
Shaft 1.000 -.0025 limit tolerance: .9975-.9963
-.0037
BASIC SHAFT SYSTEM: THE BASIC SIZE IS
THE DESIGN SIZE FOR THE SHAFT AND THE
DESIGN SIZE FOR THE HOLE IS FOUND BY
ADDING THE MINIMUM CLEARANCE OR
SUBTRACTING THE MAXIMUM
INTERFERENCE FROM THE BASIC SIZE
Symbol:the letter S following the fit symbol RC7S
Example: 1-in RC7S fit, minimum clearance
0.0025
Hole: 1.0025 +.0020 Limit tolerance 1.0045-
-.0000 1.000
Shaft: 1.0025 -.0025 Limit tolerance 1.000-
-.0037 .9988
PREFERRED METRIC LIMITS & FITS

International tolerance grade for internal &

external dimensions
Grade 1: precise Grade 16 course

A fundamental deviation establishes the position

of the tolerance symbol with respect to basic size
Tolerance position letters give this fundamental
deviation.
Internal dimension: Capital letter
External dimension: lower case letter
Example: 40H8 international tolerance grade

Basic size Fundamental deviation (internal)

TOLERANCE SYMBOL: METRIC
Combination of IT grade number and tolerance
position letter
International tolerance grade table in the
appendix
Hole basis fit: basic size is minimum size of hole
Example: 25H8/f7 fit Use the table A-47 in
appendix
Hole limits 25.000-25.033
Shaft limits 24.959-24.980
Min interference -0.020 (fit)
Max interference -0.074 (fit)
TOLERANCE SYMBOL: METRIC

Shaft basis fits system: Basic size is the

maximum shaft size
Appendix A-51 in book gives information

Example: 16C11/h11 fit

Hole limits: 16.095-16.205

Shaft limits: 15.890-16.000
Min clearance 0.095 (fit)
Max clearance 0.315 (fit)