What Drill Bit

Wood screws

Everything for wood screw pilot holes in one place — the size finder, the full chart, and a page for every gauge from #2 to #14.

Start here Pilot-hole size finder Pick a screw gauge (#2–#14) and material and get the exact pilot-hole drill bit. Open the finder Reference Wood screw pilot hole chartStraight-bit pilot sizes for #2–#14, softwood and hardwood, in fractions and millimetres.

By screw size

Already know your gauge? Jump straight to that page.

#2screwSoft 1/16" · Hard 1/16" #3screwSoft 1/16" · Hard 5/64" #4screwSoft 1/16" · Hard 5/64" #5screwSoft 5/64" · Hard 3/32" #6screwSoft 5/64" · Hard 3/32" #7screwSoft 3/32" · Hard 7/64" #8screwSoft 7/64" · Hard 1/8" #9screwSoft 1/8" · Hard 9/64" #10screwSoft 1/8" · Hard 9/64" #12screwSoft 9/64" · Hard 5/32" #14screwSoft 5/32" · Hard 11/64"

Other fasteners

Pocket screwsLag screwsDrill bit sizes sizing & conversionGuides

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.