<p>A hole designed for a screw/bolt to slide freely through is called a clearance hole. A hole that is designed to be tapped could be called a pilot hole.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-29T05:16:39.103Z
2020-06-29T05:16:39.103Z
Tom van der Zanden
<p>When a hole is created for a bolt, it might be &quot;tight&quot;; the intent is for the hole to be tapped. Or it might be &quot;loose&quot;, and the intent is for the bolt to slide into the hole and attached to a nut on the other side.</p>
<p>What is the terminology for these two kinds of holes?</p>

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2020-06-29T14:11:30.670Z
Hi Mark, has this been asked as a specific 3D printing question or should it be moved to Engineering.SE. As it stands now it is more a question fit for another Stack? I'd like to know the rational behind the question. Thanks!
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-30T03:11:08.277Z
Hey Oscar, I'm getting ready to ask a question about compensating for hole sizes when 3d printing and wanted to make sure I asked properly about a clearance hole (the "loose" one in my ignorance!).  If you think it's better to move, that's fine with me.
Mark Harrison
<terminology>
Bolt hole terminology for "tight" and "loose" bolt holes
Mark Harrison
# Bolt hole terminology for "tight" and "loose" bolt holes

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-06-29)

When a hole is created for a bolt, it might be "tight"; the intent is for the hole to be tapped. Or it might be "loose", and the intent is for the bolt to slide into the hole and attached to a nut on the other side.

What is the terminology for these two kinds of holes?

**Tags:** terminology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Hi Mark, has this been asked as a specific 3D printing question or should it be moved to Engineering.SE. As it stands now it is more a question fit for another Stack? I'd like to know the rational behind the question. Thanks!  
> **username_0**: Hey Oscar, I'm getting ready to ask a question about compensating for hole sizes when 3d printing and wanted to make sure I asked properly about a clearance hole (the "loose" one in my ignorance!).  If you think it's better to move, that's fine with me.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-06-29. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

A hole designed for a screw/bolt to slide freely through is called a clearance hole. A hole that is designed to be tapped could be called a pilot hole.


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