Screw length & thread engagement

Too short and it pulls out. Too long and it bottoms out or punches through. This gives you the minimum bite and a length to buy.

Screw size

Threads into

Minimum bite

3.0 mm of thread

Total screw length needed: about 5 mm (round up to the next size you can buy, then check it does not bottom out).

One diameter of thread is plenty.

Two things that catch people out

  • A blind hole is often deeper than the threaded part of it. Test with the screw dry first.
  • In a countersunk hole the head sinks in, so the thickness you type here should be the part below the cone, not the whole panel.
Tap & clearance hole sizes →

Gear for this job

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