M16×2 thread

M16×2 is a coarse metric thread with a 16 mm (0.630") major diameter and 2 mm pitch. Tap it with a 14 mm drill; drill 17 mm to pass a bolt through.

The numbers

Designation

M16×2

Major diameter

16 mm / 0.630"

Minor diameter

13.835 mm

Pitch

2 mm pitch

Tap drill (75% thread)

14 mm — 14 mm

Clearance hole (close fit)

17 mm / 0.669"

Hex across flats

24 mm

How to measure what you have

1. Measure across the thread crests with calipers. A used M16×2 reads a little under 16 mm — the crests are truncated by the standard, then worn and plated, so anything from about 15.6 mm up is consistent with this size.
2. Measure the pitch: put a rule against the threads and count the distance over ten crests, then divide by ten. This one should give 2 mm.
3. A thread pitch gauge settles it in seconds and costs very little. Guessing between a coarse and a fine thread of the same diameter is the usual way a thread gets stripped.

Tightening torque

Plain steel property class 8.8 or SAE grade 5, dry threads, tightened to about 65% of yield. Lubricated threads reach the same preload at 20-30% less torque. Where the manufacturer publishes a figure — spark plugs, wheel nuts, cylinder heads — use theirs.

Where this size turns up

• Structural steelwork and baseplate holding-down bolts
• Tow hooks and recovery eyes
• Heavy machinery mounting feet

Other threads at this diameter