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ISO 286 Limits & Fits Calculator

Type a size and a class or fit — H7, g6, H7/g6, H7/p6 — and get limit dimensions, deviations and fit character per ISO 286-1:2010. Plus ISO 2768 general tolerance tables.

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Machining tolerance reference — fits & general tolerances

For turned brass rod and CNC parts. Use the ISO 286 fits table to pick shaft/hole pairs for assemblies, the IT-grade table for the actual tolerance band at a given size, and ISO 2768 for untoleranced dimensions on the drawing.

ISO 286 limits & fits calculator

Type a nominal size and a tolerance class — e.g. 8 + H6 — or a complete fit like H7/g6 to get limit sizes and the fit character. Computed per ISO 286-1:2010 / ISO 286-2:2010 (the current editions, confirmed June 2026).

upper limit (mm)
lower limit (mm)
deviation ES/EI (µm)
tolerance IT (µm)

Covers Ø0–500 mm, grades IT1–IT16, deviation letters D–P / d–p incl. H, h, JS, js (uppercase = hole, lowercase = shaft). Press-fit classes r, s and beyond — ask our engineers.

Common ISO 286 fits (hole-basis, H)

FitTypeCharacterTypical use on turned brass parts
H7/g6ClearanceClose running / slidingSpindles, guided pins, rotating shafts needing fine fit
H7/h6ClearanceLocation / slideSlip-fit locating spigots, parts assembled by hand
H8/f7ClearanceFree runningBushings, bearings with lubrication, looser running fits
H11/c11ClearanceLooseWide clearance, weldments, non-critical assemblies
H7/k6TransitionLight keyingLocated parts needing accuracy but occasional disassembly
H7/n6TransitionTightPress-located parts, light-duty drive without slip
H7/p6InterferencePress / driveInserts, bushes & pins retained by interference
H7/s6InterferenceHeavy drivePermanent press fits, shrink/force assembly

ISO 286 tolerance grades (IT), value in µm

Tolerance band width for a given nominal size. A hole H7 = 0 to +IT7; a shaft h6 = 0 to −IT6. Apply the fundamental deviation for other letters.

Nominal size (mm)IT6IT7IT8IT9IT11
over 3 to 6812183075
over 6 to 10915223690
over 10 to 1811182743110
over 18 to 3013213352130
over 30 to 5016253962160
over 50 to 8019304674190
over 80 to 12022355487220

Worked example: a Ø20 mm H7 bore = 20.000 / 20.021 mm (0 to +21 µm). A Ø20 mm g6 shaft = 19.993 / 19.980 mm (−7 to −20 µm), giving a close-running clearance fit.

ISO 2768-1 general (untoleranced) linear dimensions, ± mm

Applies to dimensions without an individual tolerance. We work to class medium (m) by default; tighter classes available on request.

Nominal length (mm)Fine (f)Medium (m)Coarse (c)Very coarse (v)
0.5 to 3±0.05±0.1±0.2
over 3 to 6±0.05±0.1±0.3±0.5
over 6 to 30±0.1±0.2±0.5±1.0
over 30 to 120±0.15±0.3±0.8±1.5
over 120 to 400±0.2±0.5±1.2±2.5
over 400 to 1000±0.3±0.8±2.0±4.0

Typical turned-brass capability: we routinely hold IT7–IT8 on diameters and ISO 2768-m or finer on lengths; critical features can be held to IT6 / ±0.01 mm with in-process gauging. State the fit or tolerance on your drawing and we quote to it.

References: ISO 286-1:2010 & ISO 286-2:2010 (GPS — code system for tolerances on linear sizes; current editions), ISO 1829 (selection of tolerance zones), ISO 2768-1 (general tolerances — linear & angular), ISO 2768-2 (geometrical). Values cross-checked against Machinery's Handbook. See our tolerances guide.

How to read a fit like H7/g6

Capital letter+grade = the hole (H7), lowercase = the shaft (g6). The letter sets the position of the tolerance zone (fundamental deviation), the number its width (IT grade). H is the hole-basis reference: lower limit exactly at nominal. So Ø20 H7/g6 → hole 20.000–20.021, shaft 19.980–19.993: always a small clearance.

Choosing a fit

Running/sliding → H7/g6 or H8/f7; hand-assembled location → H7/h6; keyed or press-located → H7/k6 or H7/n6; permanent press fits (bushings, pins, inserts) → H7/p6 and beyond. Remember the press-fit side effect: pressing a bushing in closes its bore by ~70–90% of the interference — specify the bore for the installed state.

What this means for your drawing

Toleranced features drive cost. Our routine capability on turned brass is IT7–IT8 on diameters and ISO 2768-m generally, with IT6 / ±0.005 mm held on critical features under in-process gauging — verified on CMM and optical measurement. Put tight classes only where the function demands them; the calculator above shows exactly what each class buys you.

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Frequently asked questions

What does H7 mean?
H7 is a hole tolerance class per ISO 286: fundamental deviation H (lower limit at nominal, EI = 0) and grade IT7. At Ø20 mm, H7 = 20.000 to 20.021 mm (+21 µm).
What fit is H7/g6?
A close-running clearance fit. At Ø20 mm: hole 20.000–20.021 mm, shaft 19.980–19.993 mm — guaranteed clearance of 7–41 µm. Used for spindles, guided pins and fine sliding fits.
What is the difference between clearance, transition and interference fits?
Clearance: shaft always smaller than hole (parts slide/rotate). Interference: shaft always larger (press/shrink assembly). Transition: overlap of tolerance zones — may be slightly loose or tight (locating fits).
What does ISO 2768-m mean on a drawing?
General tolerances, class medium, for all dimensions without an individual tolerance: e.g. ±0.2 mm for 6–30 mm, ±0.3 mm for 30–120 mm lengths. We machine to 2768-m by default; -f on request.
What tolerances can be held on turned brass parts?
Routine: IT7–IT8 on diameters and ISO 2768-m on lengths. With in-process gauging: IT6 / ±0.005 mm on critical diameters. Specify tight tolerances only where the function needs them — they drive cost.

Sources & references

ISO 261 / ISO 965 — metric threads
Thread series & tolerance data; UNC per ASME B1.1, NPT per ASME B1.20.1
ISO 286-1:2010 — tolerances & fits
General tolerances & hole/shaft fits
Copper Development Association
Alloy density & property reference
EN 12164 / EN 12165 — brass rod & stock (CEN)
Density & dimensional basis for bar weights
Brassland — Tolerances & fits
Tolerance reference guide
Brassland — Brass Alloy Guide
Alloy density & composition

Last reviewed: June 2026. Calculator outputs are estimates; verify against the governing standard and your drawing for procurement-critical work.

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