Dimensions, drill sizes and wrench sizes for 2-8 UN.
Designation
2-8 UN
Major (outside) diameter
50.8 mm · 2"
Pitch
3.175 mm · 8 TPI
Pitch diameter
48.738 mm · 1.9188"
Minor diameter (external)
46.905 mm · 1.8466"
Minor diameter (internal)
47.363 mm · 1.8647"
Recommended tap drill
1-7/8" · 47.63 mm · ≈77% thread
Clearance hole
Close 2-1/64" · Normal 2-1/32" · Loose 2-1/16" - nominal + 1/64" / 1/32" / 1/16" (common shop practice), given as the sums themselves because they are larger than the 1" end of the standard drill table.
Close 2-1/64" · Normal 2-1/32" · Loose 2-1/16" - nominal + 1/64" / 1/32" / 1/16" (common shop practice), given as the sums themselves because they are larger than the 1" end of the standard drill table.
2-8 UN in numbers
2-8 UN is 2.0000 in across the crests with 8 threads per inch, a 3.175 mm pitch. The basic pitch diameter is 48.738 mm and the bolt's minor diameter 46.905 mm, so the thread is 1.947 mm deep on the bolt. Its tensile stress area is 2.7706 in², 11% more than the coarser 2-4.5 UNC at the same diameter. A class 2A bolt is made with its pitch diameter between 1.9087 and 1.9165 in, and a class 2B nut between 1.9188 and 1.9289 in, so even the largest bolt clears the smallest nut by 0.0023 in. The nearest metric size, M52 × 5.0, is 1.20 mm larger across the crests and its pitch is 1.825 mm coarser, so the two do not interchange.
Tap drill by thread percentage
Hole = D − % × 0.0129904 × P, with D = 50.8 mm and P = 3.175 mm. A smaller hole leaves more thread; the recommended 1-7/8" drill above gives about 77%.
Tap-drill hole diameters for 2-8 UN at several thread percentages.
Thread
Hole (mm)
Hole (in)
60%
48.33
1.9026
65%
48.12
1.8945
70%
47.91
1.8863
75%
47.71
1.8782
Class 2A and 2B limits
The commercial fit for 2-8 UN: class 2A for the bolt, class 2B for the nut or tapped hole. Inches.
Class 2A external and class 2B internal limits of size for 2-8 UN.
Dimension
Min
Max
2A major diameter
1.9827
1.9977
2A pitch diameter
1.9087
1.9165
2B pitch diameter
1.9188
1.9289
Matches the ASME B1.1 class 2A/2B table for this size, as printed in the data sheets of American Fastener (Cap Screws & Bolts - External Threads Class 2A) and American Fastener (Nuts - Internal Threads - Class 2B). Basic pitch diameter E = D − 0.649519 P = 1.9188; the allowance between basic and the 2A limits is 0.0023. The B1.1 formula, class 2A pitch tolerance T = 0.0015 D^(1/3) + 0.0015 √D + 0.015 P^(2/3) with the allowance 0.3 T and the 2B tolerance 1.3 T, gives the same figures for this size. Minor-diameter limits are not given here.
Tightening torque estimate
SAE J429 defines no grades above 1-1/2 in - its tables stop there - so no proof load or tightening torque is published for this size. Fasteners this large are normally specified to ASTM A193, A320 or an equivalent rather than to a J429 grade.
Put 2-8 UN on a job sheet
The bolt schedule collects the fasteners for one job onto a single sheet - tap drill, wrench size, grade and tightening torque on every line, taken straight from pages like this one. Free schedules hold 3 lines and are saved in this browser only.
For a 2-8 UN thread, drill the hole with a 1-7/8" tap drill (47.63 mm) before tapping. That produces roughly 77% thread engagement, the usual target for a strong, tappable hole. The mating bolt has a major diameter of 50.8 mm and a pitch of 3.175 mm (8 TPI).
To pass a 2-8 UN bolt through a part rather than thread it, use a clearance hole: Close 2-1/64" · Normal 2-1/32" · Loose 2-1/16" - nominal + 1/64" / 1/32" / 1/16" (common shop practice), given as the sums themselves because they are larger than the 1" end of the standard drill table..
All values come from the standard thread formulas (ISO 68-1 / ASME B1.1) and published standard tables. See the full reference.
Frequently asked questions
What drill size do I need to tap a 2-8 UN thread?
Drill 1-7/8" (47.63 mm) before tapping 2-8 UN. That leaves roughly 77% thread engagement, the usual target for a strong hole that still taps cleanly.
Is 2-8 UN a coarse or fine thread?
2-8 UN is in the UN constant-pitch series: it runs 8 threads per inch, a pitch shared across a range of diameters rather than scaled with the size.
What size clearance hole does a 2-8 UN bolt need?
Close 2-1/64" · Normal 2-1/32" · Loose 2-1/16" - nominal + 1/64" / 1/32" / 1/16" (common shop practice), given as the sums themselves because they are larger than the 1" end of the standard drill table. A clearance hole lets the 2-8 UN bolt pass through the part instead of threading into it.
What is the pitch diameter of 2-8 UN?
The pitch diameter of 2-8 UN is 48.738 mm (1.9188"). It is the diameter where the thread ridge and groove are equally wide, and the reference dimension for checking thread fit.
Nearest standard metric sizes by major diameter. These are substitutes by size only - the thread forms are not interchangeable, so never run one into the other.