WOODWORKING & CARPENTRYScrew Gauge & Pilot Hole Sizer

Woodworking & Carpentry Calculators

Interactive measurement conversions, precision joinery layouts, and material dimensioning tools optimized for cabinetmakers, builders, and hobbyist woodworkers.

Screw Gauge & Pilot Hole Sizer

Find wood screw gauge diameters, calculate recommended pilot hole sizes for hardwood and softwood, and choose the correct drill bits.

Screw Gauge Select

The Screw Gauge formula

US Wood Screw major thread diameter is calculated using the standard imperial gauge formula:

Diameter (inches) = 0.060" + 0.013" × Gauge

Screw Specifications for #8 wood screw

Thread Diameter (mm)4.17 mm
Thread Diameter (Inches)0.164"

Recommended Drilling Chart

Clearance Hole (Shank)Hole drilled in the top board to clear thread major diameter
4.5 mm (3/16")
Hardwood Pilot HoleDrilled in receiving board to prevent wood splitting
2.8 mm (7/64")
Softwood Pilot HoleTighter fit allowed since soft fibers compress
2.4 mm (3/32")
Drilling Tips

Always use pilot holes when driving screws into hardwood to prevent splitting the board or snapping the screw head (especially brass screws). Clearance holes ensure the screw tightly clamps the top board to the receiving board instead of binding in the top board first.

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