Thread Fit Calculator for 3D Printing

Get practical CAD offsets for printed male/female threads so bolts and nuts assemble reliably.

Male / female CAD

5.820 / 5.320 mm

Enter your slicer value if already applied globally.

Recommended fit

  • Diametral clearance0.200 mm
  • Radial clearance0.100 mm

CAD thread dimensions

  • Male thread major dia (CAD)5.820 mm
  • Female thread minor dia (CAD)5.320 mm
  • Female thread major dia (CAD)6.040 mm

Internal minor is based on nominal tap-drill (5.000 mm) plus print compensation.

Offset summary

  • External thread offset-0.180 mm
  • Internal minor offset+0.320 mm
  • Layer adjustment+0.000 mm
  • Size adjustment+0.000 mm

Metric thread quick reference

ThreadMajor dia (mm)Pitch (mm)Nominal internal minor (mm)
M33.000.502.50
M44.000.703.30
M55.000.804.20
M66.001.005.00
M88.001.256.75
M1010.001.508.50

Practical workflow for reliable threads

Use these dimensions as your baseline, then print a short test coupon with three variants at -0.05mm, baseline, and +0.05mm on internal minor diameter. Lock the winning value per material and printer.

FAQ

Why do printed threads bind even when modeled to standard dimensions?

FDM threads are sensitive to extrusion width, layer stepping, and slicer compensation. Male features often print oversized and female roots close up, so nominal CAD dimensions rarely fit perfectly without offsets.

Should I tune in CAD or with slicer horizontal expansion?

For repeatable production, tune in CAD and keep slicer expansion near zero. Use slicer expansion only for quick one-off adjustments across a whole model.

Do horizontal threads need extra clearance?

Usually yes. Horizontal thread axes often need more clearance due to stair-stepping and support/contact artifacts, especially on coarse layers.

How do I finalize fit quickly?

Print a short thread test coupon with 3 variants around the recommended values in +/-0.05mm steps. Lock the winner as a material+printer design preset.

Related tools & guides