Wood screw pilot hole chart (free printable PDF)
Straight-bit pilot-hole sizes for every common wood screw, #2 through #14. Fractions and millimetres, for softwood and hardwood — download the free printable PDF or print it straight from the page.
Wood screw pilot hole chart
| Screw | Softwood | Hardwood | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| #2 | 1/16"1.6 mm | 1/16"1.6 mm | 3/32"2.4 mm |
| #3 | 1/16"1.6 mm | 5/64"2.0 mm | 7/64"2.8 mm |
| #4 | 1/16"1.6 mm | 5/64"2.0 mm | 1/8"3.2 mm |
| #5 | 5/64"2.0 mm | 3/32"2.4 mm | 1/8"3.2 mm |
| #6 | 5/64"2.0 mm | 3/32"2.4 mm | 9/64"3.6 mm |
| #7 | 3/32"2.4 mm | 7/64"2.8 mm | 5/32"4.0 mm |
| #8 | 7/64"2.8 mm | 1/8"3.2 mm | 11/64"4.4 mm |
| #9 | 1/8"3.2 mm | 9/64"3.6 mm | 3/16"4.8 mm |
| #10 | 1/8"3.2 mm | 9/64"3.6 mm | 3/16"4.8 mm |
| #12 | 9/64"3.6 mm | 5/32"4.0 mm | 7/32"5.6 mm |
| #14 | 5/32"4.0 mm | 11/64"4.4 mm | 1/4"6.4 mm |
Softwood / Hardwood = the pilot hole, drilled in the base piece · Plywood uses Softwood, MDF uses Hardwood (fine-thread).
Clearance = the shank hole in the top board, so the screw slips through and pulls the joint tight. Sized a touch larger than the shank on purpose.
whatdrillbit.com
How to read it
Each row is the pilot-hole drill bit for that screw gauge. Plywood follows the softwood column; MDF follows the hardwood column.
Have a decimal or millimetre size and need the physical bit? The drill bit size converter gives you the nearest actual drill bit for any size.
Split-safe — when in doubt, start one size smaller and test on scrap.
Where these numbers come from
Straight-bit pilot sizes for modern wood screws, sized to the screw’s root diameter so the hole grips without splitting. They’re cross-referenced against widely used charts (Bolt Depot, McFeely’s, WorkshopCalc). We lean slightly larger than the strength-optimized minimums, because for most projects not splitting the board matters more than maximum holding power. Plywood follows softwood; MDF follows hardwood and fine-thread practice.
These are general guidance sizes cross-referenced from common woodworking sources. For structural, load-bearing, or manufacturer-specific work, follow the fastener manufacturer’s or an engineer’s specifications.