Wood Screws

Shank diameters - pilot holes

Wood screws shank diameters and recommended pilot holes are indicated below.

wood screws

Shank holes and pilot holes is recommended to prevent wood from splitting and allows for tighter joints.

Size Number Shank Diameter Pilot Hole Diameter (in)
Decimal
(in)
Nearest Fractional
(in)
Softwood Hardwood
0 0.060 1/16 1/64 1/32
1 0.073 5/64 1/32 1/32
2 0.086 3/32 1/32 3/64
3 0.099 7/64 3/64 1/16
4 0.112 7/64 3/64 1/16
5 0.125 1/8 1/16 5/64
6 0.138 9/64 1/16 5/64
7 0.151 5/32 1/16 3/32
8 0.164 5/32 5/64 3/32
9 0.177 11/64 5/64 7/64
10 0.190 3/16 3/32 7/64
11 0.203 13/64 3/32 1/8
12 0.216 7/32 7/64 1/8
14 0.242 1/4 7/64 9/64
16 0.268 17/64 9/64 5/32
18 0.294 19/64 9/64 3/16
20 0.320 5/16 11/64 13/64

 

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