What Size Drill Bit

M2 x 0.4 tap drill size

1.6 mm

Inches
0.0630
Inch bit
1/16"
Thread
77%

Drill a 1.6 mm hole before cutting an M2 thread with 0.4 mm pitch. The rule for metric taps is diameter minus pitch.

1.6 mm 2 mm thread

No metric bits? A 1/16" bit (0.0625 in) gives about 79% thread.

M2 x 0.4 thread and hole sizes

ThreadM2, 0.4 mm pitch, coarse
Major diameter2 mm 0.0787 in
Tap drill1.6 mm 0.0630 in
Closest inch bit1/16" 0.0625 in
Clearance hole, close fit2.2 mm
Clearance hole, medium fit2.4 mm

Why 1.6 mm

Subtract the pitch from the diameter: 2 minus 0.4 is 1.6 mm. That leaves 77% thread, the usual target for a cut tap.

More thread than that adds almost no strength and makes the tap much easier to break. In hard or tough material, go 0.1 mm larger.

Tools for this job

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