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6 1 月, 2026

Specification and Dimension of ASME B18.2.1 Standard Hex Bolts and Screws

ASME B18.2.1 Standard Hex Bolts and Screws

Square head and hex head bolts and screws, as one of the most widely used fasteners, typically adhere to the ASME B18.2.1 standard. This standard has become a guideline followed by engineers, procurement personnel, and manufacturers. This article will comprehensively interpret the product types and specifications included in the ASME B18.2.1 standard, assisting you in making informed choices to ensure project quality and compliance.

Fasteners are widely used in industries such as industrial manufacturing, heavy equipment, steel structure buildings, and infrastructure, and play a crucial role. The quality of fasteners directly determines the integrity and safety of the entire project.

Introduction to ASME B18.2.1 Standard

ASME B18.2.1:”Square and Hex Bolts and Screws (Inch Series)”, is a core standard issued by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It defines the dimensions, mechanical properties, materials, and testing requirements for square and hex head bolts and screws with nominal diameters ranging from 1/4 inch to 4 inches.

Standard Scope

Standardization: Unified product dimensions ensure interchangeability between bolts.

Safety: Strictly stipulate the mechanical properties, marking, and testing methods of hex bolts to ensure their load-bearing capacity and safety factor.

Authoritativeness: This standard is widely recognized and cited globally.

Specification Requirements

The standard specifies the dimensions, tolerance range, and thread requirements of the product in detail. It usually conforms to the ASME B1.1 unified standard threads and head markings.

It is used in conjunction with material standards such as ASTM A193, together forming a comprehensive specification covering everything from dimensions to performance.

Types and Dimensions of ASME B18.2.1 Standard

The products covered by the ASME B18.2.1 standard primarily fall into two categories: bolts and screws. The core distinction lies in the fact that bolts are typically used in conjunction with nuts, whereas screws are usually threaded into the internal threads of the connected components.

The dimensions of all products covered by this standard strictly adhere to the corresponding product dimension parameter table in the standard; key parameters include: nominal diameter, threads per inch, bolt/screw length, head width across flats, head thickness, thread length, etc. When selecting models, it is necessary to refer to the standard dimension table to ensure compatibility.

Types of ASME B18.2.1 Standard Bolt

Hex Bolt/Heavy Hex Bolt:

Hex bolt: The most common universal fastener, featuring a hex head that facilitates tightening from various angles using a wrench. With a complete range of sizes, it is the basic choice for steel structure connections and mechanical assembly.

Dimension of Hex Head Bolt

Dimension of Hex Bolt ASME B18.2.1 Standard
Nominal Size or Basic
Product Diameter
EFGHRLr
Full-Size Body
Diameter
Width Across FlatsWidth Across
Corners
Head HeightRadius of FilletNominal Thread Length for Bolt Lengths
MaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMin≤6 in>6 in
1/40.25000.2600.2377/160.4380.4250.5050.4841/160.1880.1500.0300.0100.7501.000
5/160.31250.3240.2981/20.5000.4840.5770.5527/320.2350.1950.0300.0100.8751.125
3/80.37500.3880.3609/160.5620.5440.6500.6201/40.2680.2260.0300.0101.0001.250
7/160.43750.4520.4215/80.6250.6030.7220.68719/640.3160.2720.0300.0101.1251.375
1/20.50000.5150.4823/40.7500.7250.8660.82611/320.3640.3020.0300.0101.2501.500
5/80.62500.6420.60515/160.9380.9061.0831.03327/640.4440.3780.0600.0201.5001.750
3/40.75000.7680.7291-1/81.1251.0881.2991.2401/20.5240.4550.0600.0201.7502.000
7/80.87500.8950.8521-5/161.3121.2691.5161.44737/640.6040.5310.0600.0202.0002.250
11.00001.0220.9761-1/21.5001.4501.7321.65343/640.7000.5910.0900.0302.2502.500
1-1/181.12501.1491.0981-11/161.6881.6311.9491.8593/40.7800.6580.0900.0302.5002.750
1-1/41.25001.2771.2231-7/81.8751.8122.1652.06627/320.8760.7490.0900.0302.7503.000
1-3/81.37501.4041.3452-1/162.0621.9942.3822.27329/320.9400.8100.090.033.0003.250
1-1/21.50001.5311.4702-1/42.2502.1752.5982.48011.0360.9020.0900.0303.2503.500
1-3/41.75001.7851.7162-5/82.6252.5383.0312.8931-5/321.1961.0540.1200.0403.7504.000
22.00002.0391.96433.0002.9003.4643.3061-11/321.3881.1750.1200.0404.2504.500
2-1/42.25002.3052.2143-3/83.3753.2623.8973.7191-1/21.5481.3270.1900.0604.7505.000
2-1/22.50002.5592.4613-3/43.7503.6254.3304.1331-21/321.7081.4790.1900.0605.2505.500
2-3/42.75002.8272.7114-1/84.1253.9884.7634.5461-13/181.8691.6320.1900.0605.7506.000
33.00003.0812.9614-1/24.5004.3505.1964.95922.0601.8150.1900.0606.2506.500
3-1/43.25003.3353.2104-7/84.8754.7125.6295.3722-3/162.2511.9360.1900.0606.7507.000
3-1/23.50003.5893.4615-1/45.2505.0756.0625.7862-5/162.3802.0570.1900.0607.2507.500
3-3/43.75003.8583.7265-5/85.6255.4376.4956.1982-1/22.5722.2410.1900.0607.7508.000
44.00004.1113.97566.0005.8006.9286.6122-11/162.7642.4240.1900.0608.2508.500

Heavy Hex Bolt

The width and thickness of the head of the heavy hexagonal bolt are greater than those of the standard hex bolt. Provides more space for the support surface and wrench tightening.

Dimension of ASME B18.2.1 Standard Heavy Hex Bolt

Dimension of Heavy Hex Bolt ASME B18.2.1 Standard
Nominal Size or Basic
Product Diameter
EFGHRLr
Full-Size Body
Diameter
Width Across FlatsWidth Across
Corners
Head HeightRadius of FilletNominal Thread Length for Bolt Lengths
MaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMin≤6 in>6 in
1/20.50000.5150.4827/80.8750.8501.0100.96911/320.3640.3020.030.011.2501.500
5/80.62500.6420.6051-1/161.0621.0311.2271.17527/640.4440.3780.060.021.5001.750
3/40.75000.7680.7291-1/41.2501.2121.4431.3831/20.5240.4550.060.021.7502.000
7/80.87500.8950.8521-7/161.4381.3941.6601.58937/640.6040.5310.060.022.0002.250
11.00001.0220.9761-5/81.6251.5751.8761.79643/640.7000.5910.090.032.2502.500
1-1/81.12501.1491.0981-13/161.8121.7562.0932.0023/40.7800.6580.090.032.5002.750
1-1/41.25001.2771.22322.0001.9382.3092,20927/320.8760.7490.090.032.7503.000
1-3/81.37501.4041.3452-3/162.1882.1192.5262.41629/320.9400.8100.090.033.0003.250
1-1/21.50001.5311.4702-3/82.3752.3002.7422.62211.0360.9020.090.033.2503.500
1-3/41.75001.7851.7162-3/42.7502.6623.1753.0351-5/321.1961.0540.120.043.7504.000
22.00002.0391.9642-1/83.1253.0253.6083.4491-11/321.3881,1750.120.044.2504.500
2-1/42.25002.3052.2143-1/23.5003.3884.0413.8621-1/21.5481.3270.190.064.7505.000
2-1/22.50002.5592.4613-7/83.8753.7504.4744.2751-21/321.7081.4790.190.065.2505.500
2-3/42.75002.8272.7114-1/44.2504.1124.9074.6881-13/141.8691.6320.190.065.7506.000
33.00003.0812.9614-5/84.6254.4755.3405.10222.0601.8150.190.066.2506.500

Square Head Bolt

The head is square in shape. Its design allows for fastening using an adjustable wrench or simpler tools in the square hole it is sunk into, and prevents rotation during tightening. It is commonly used when the bolt head needs to be embedded into a base or traditional cast iron components.

Dimension of Square Head Bolt

Dimension of Square Head Bolt ASME B18.2.1 Standard
Nominal Size or Basic
Product Diameter
EFGHRLr
Full-Size Body
Diameter
Width Across FlatsWidth Across
Corners
Head HeightRadius of FilletNominal Thread Length for Bolt Lengths
MaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMin≤6 in>6 in
1/40.25000.2600.2373/80.3750.3620.5300.49811/640.1880.1560.0300.0100.7501.000
5/160.31250.3240.2981/20.5000.4840.7070.66513/640.2200.1860.0300.0100.8751.125
3/80.37500.3880.3609/160.5620.5440.7950.7471/40.2680.2320.0300.0101.0001.250
7/160.43750.4520.4215/80.6250.6030.8840.82819/640.3160.2780.0300.0101.1251.375
1/20.50000.5150.4823/40.7500.7251.0610.99521/640.3480.3080.0300.0101.2501.500
5/80.62500.6420.60515/160.9380.9061.3261.24427/640.4440.4000.0600.0201.5001.750
3/40.75000.7680.7291-1/81.1251.0881.5911.4941/20.5240.4760.0600.0201.7502.000
7/80.87500.8950.8521-5/161.3121.2691.8561.74219/320.6200.5680.0600.0202.0002.250
11.00001.0220.9761-1/21.5001.4502.1211.99121/320.6840.6280.0900.0302.2502.500
1-1/81.12501.1491.0981-11/161.6881.6312.3862.2393/40.7800.7200.0900.0302.5002.750
1-1/41.25001.2771.2231-7/81.8751.8122.6522.48927/320.8760.8120.0900.0302.7503.000
1-3/81.37501.4041.3452-1/162.0621.9942.9172.73829/320.9400.8720.0900.0303.0003.250
1-1/21.50001.5311.4702-1/42.2502.1753.1822.98611.0360.9640.0900.0303.2503.500

Askew Head Bolts

Also known as “carriage bolts”, they feature a smooth round head and a square shank beneath the head. When the bolt passes through a hole, the square shank engages with wood or metal, preventing the bolt from rotating when the nut is tightened. They are widely used in wood structures, fences, furniture, and agricultural equipment.

Dimension of Askew Head Bolt

Dimension of Askew Head Bolt
Nominal Size or Basic Product DiameterEFGH₁HRSLr
Body DiameterWidth Across FlatsWidth Across
Corners
Head HeightMid HeightRadius of FilletMaximum
Unthreaded
Length
Norminal Threaded Length for Bolt Lengths
MaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMinMaxMinRef.MaxMinMax≤6 in>6 in
3/80.3750.3880.3609/160.5620.5440.7950.7470.3170.2770.2500.0300.0100.2501.0001.250
1/20.5000.5150.4823/40.7500.7251.0610.9950.4110.3710.3280.0300.0100.3121.2501.500
5/80.6250.6420.60515/160.9380.9061.3261.2440.5200.4800.4220.0600.0200.3441.5001.750
3/40.7500.7680.7291-1/81.1251.0881.5911.4940.6140.5740.5000.0600.0200.4061.7502.000
7/80.8750.8950.8521-5/161.3121.2691.8561.7420.7230.6830.5940.0600.0200.4382.0002.250
11.0001.0220.9761-1/21.5001.4502.1211.9910.8010.7610.6560.0900.0300.5002.2502.500

Types of ASME B18.2.1 Standard Screw

Hex Screw/Heavy Hex Screw

Similar in appearance to hex head bolts, but with threads formed on the entire or part of the shank. It can be directly screwed into threaded holes of workpieces or used in conjunction with nuts.

Dimension of Hex Cap Screw

Nominal Size or Basic Product DiameterEFGHJLrYMaximum Total Runout of Bearing Surface FIM
Body DiameterWidth Across FlatsWidth Across
Corners
Head HeightMinimum
Wrenching Height
Nominal Thread Length for Screw LengthsTransition Thread Length
MaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMinBasicMaxMin≤6 in>6 inReferenceMax
1/40.25000.25000.24507/160.4380.4280.5050.4885/320.1630.1500.1060.7501.0000.2500.010
5/160.31250.31250.30651/20.5000.4890.5770.55713/640.2110.1950.1400.8751.1250.2780.011
3/80.37500.37500.36909/160.5620.5510.6500.62815/640.2430.2260.1601.0001.2500.3120.012
7/160.43750.43750.43055/80.6250.6120.7220.6989/320.2910.2720.1951.1251.3750.3570.013
1/20.50000.50000.49303/40.7500.7360.8660.8405/160.3230.3020.2151.2501.5000.3850.014
9/160.56250.56250.554513/160.8120.7980.9380.91023/640.8710.3480.2501.3751.6250.4170.015
5/80.62500.62500.617015/180.9380.9221.0831.05125/640.4030.3780.2691.5001.7500.4550.017
3/40.75000.75000.74101-1/81.1251.1001.2991.25415/320.4830.4550.3241.7502.0000.5000.020
7/80.87500.87500.86601-5/161.3121.2851.5161.46535/640.5630.5310.3782.0002.2500.5560.023
11.00001.00000.99001-1/21.5001.4691.7321.67539/640.6270.5910.4162.2502.5000.6250.026
1-1/81.12501.12501.11401-11/161.6881.6311.9491.85911/160.7180.6580.4612.5002.7500.7140.029
1-1/41.25001.25001.23901-7/81.8751.8122.1652.06625/320.8130.7490.5302.7503.0000.7140.033
1-3/81.37501.37501.36302-1/162.0621.9942.3822.27327/320.8780.8100.5693.0003.2500.8330.036
1-1/21.50001.50001.48802-1/42.2502.1752.5982.4801-5/160.9740.9020.6403.2503.5000.8330.039
1-3/41.75001.75001.73802-5/82.6252.5383.0312.8931-3/321.1341.0540.7483.7504.0001.0000.046
22.00002.00001.988033.0002.9003.4643.3061-7/321.2631.1750.8254.2504.5001.1110.052
2-1/42.25002.25002.23803-3/83.3753.2623.8973.7191-3/81.4231.3270.9335.0001.1110.059
2-1/22.50002.50002.48803-3/43.7503.6254.3304.1331-17/321.5831.4791.0425.5001.2500.065
2-3/42.75002.75002.73804-1/84.1253.9884.7634.5461-11/161.7441.6321.1516.0001.2500.072
33.00003.00002.98804-1/24.5004.3505.1964.9591-7/81.9351.8151.2906.5001.2500.079

Heavy hex screws also offer larger head sizes, suitable for applications requiring higher pre-tightening force or contact surface bearing strength.

Dimension of Heavy Hex Screw

Dimension of Heavy Hex Screw
Nominal Size or Basic Product DiameterEFGHJLtYMaximum Total Runout of Bearing Surface FIM
Body DiameterWidth Across FlatsWidth Across
Corners
Head HeightMinimum
Wrenching Height
Nominal Thread Length for Screw Lengths度Transition Thread Length
MaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMinBasicMaxMin≤6 in>6inReferenceMax
1/20.50000.50000.4827/80.8750.8501.0100.9695/160.3230.3020.2151.2501.5000.3850.016
5/80.62500.62500.6051-1/161.0621.0311.2271.17525/640.4030.3780.2691.5001.7500.4550.019
3/40.75000.75000.7291-1/41.2501.2121.4431.38315/320.4830.4550.3241.7502.0000.5000.022
7/80.87500.87500.8521-7/161.4381.3941.6601.58965/640.5630.5310.3782.0002.2500.5560.025
11.00001.00000.9761-5/81.6251.5751.8761.79639/640.6270.5910.4162.2502.5000.6250.028
1-1/81.12501.12501.0981-13/161.8121.7562.0932.00211/160.7180.6580.4612.5002.7500.7140.032
1-1/41.25001.25001.22322.0001.9382.3092.20925/320.8130.7490.5302.7503.0000.7140.035
1-3/81.37501.37501.3452-3/162.1882.1192.5262.41627/320.8780.8100.5693.0003.2500.8330.038
1-1/21.50001.50001.4702-3/82.3752.3002.7422.62215/160.9740.9020.6403.2503.5000.8330.041
1-3/41.75001.75001.7162-3/42.7502.6623.1753.0351-3/321.1341.0540.7483.7504.0001.0000.048
22.00002.00001.9643-1/83.1253.0253.6083.4491-7/321.2631.1750.8254.2504.5001.1110.055
2-1/42.25002.25002.2143-1/23.5003.3884.0413.8621-3/81.4231.3270.9335.0001.1110.061
2-1/22.50002.50002.4613-7/83.8753.7504.4744.2751-17/321.5831.4791.0425.5001.2500.068
2-3/42.75002.75002.7114-1/44.2504.1124.9074.6881-11/161.7441.6321.1516.0001.2500.074
33.00003.00002.9614-5/84.6254.4755.3405.1021-7/81.9351.8151.2906.5001.2500.081

Square Lag Screw

Similar to square head bolts, but with a threaded shank. Commonly used in equipment that requires high torque tightening and where the head can be countersunk. Such as old machine tools and woodworking machinery.

Dimension of Square Lag Screw

Dimension of Square Lag Screw
Nominal Size or Basic Product DiameterEFGHSR
Body or Shoulder
Diamete
Width Across FlatsWidth Across
Corners
Head HeightMinimum
Shoulder
Length
Radius of
Fillet
MaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMinBasicMaxMinMinMaxMin
No.100.19000.19900.17809/320.28100.27100.39800.37201/80.14000.11000.09400.03000.0100
1/40.25000.26000.23703/80.37500.36200.53000.498011/640.18800.15600.09400.03000.0100
5/160.31250.32400.29801/20.50000.48400.70700.665013/640.22000.18600.12500.03000.0100
3/80.37500.38800.36009/160.56200.54400.79500.74701/40.26800.23200.12500.03000.0100
7/160.43750.45200.42105/80.62500.60300.88400.828019/640.31600.27800.15600.03000.0100
1/20.50000.51500.48203/40.75000.72501.06100.995021/640.34800.30800.15600.03000.0100
5/80.62500.64200.60501-5/160.93800.90601.32601.244027/640.44400.40000.31200.06000.0200
3/40.75000.76800.72901-1/81.12501.08801.59101.49401/20.52400.47600.37500.06000.0200
7/80.87500.89500.85201-5/161.31201.26901.85601.742019/320.62000.56800.37500.06000.0200
11.00001.02200.97601-1/21.50001.45002.12101.991021/320.68400.62800.62500.09000.0300
1-1/81.12501.14901.09801-11/161.68801.63102.38602.23903/40.78000.72000.62500.09000.0300
1-1/41.25001.27701.22301-7/81.87501.81202.65202.489027/320.87600.81200.62500.09000.0300

Hex Lag Screw

The rod end is equipped with a guiding tip, facilitating quick alignment and initial engagement with threaded holes. It is particularly suitable for situations where rapid installation is required on the assembly line, or for blind hole assembly that requires self-positioning.

Dimension of Hex Lag Screw

Dimension of Hex Lag Screw
Nominal Size or Basic Product DiameterEFGHSR
Body or Shoulder
Diamete
Width Across FlatsWidth Across
Corners
Head HeightMinimum
Shoulder
Length
Radius of
Fillet
MaxMinBasicMaxMinMaxMinBasicMaxMinMinMaxMin
No.100.19000.19900.17809/320.28100.27100.32300.30901/80.14000.11000.09400.03000.0100
1/40.25000.26000.23707/160.43800.42500.50500.484011/640.18800.15000.09400.03000.0100
5/160.31250.32400.29801/20.50000.48400.57700.55207/320.23500.19500.12500.03000.0100
3/80.37500.38800.36009/160.56200.54400.65000.62001/40.26800.22600.12500.03000.0100
7/160.43750.45200.42105/80.62500.60300.72200.687019/640.31600.27200.15600.03000.0100
1/20.50000.51500.48203/40.75000.72500.86600.826011/320.36400.30200.15600.03000.0100
5/80.62500.64200.605015/160.93800.90601.08301.033027/640.44400.37800.31200.06000.0200
3/40.75000.76800.72901-1/81.12501.08801.29901.24001/20.52400.45500.37500.06000.0200
7/80.87500.89500.85201-5/161.31201.26901.51601.447037/640.60400.53100.37500.06000.0200
11.00001.02200.97601-1/21.50001.45001.73201.653043/640.70000.59100.62500.09000.0300
1-1/81.12501.14901.09801-11/161.68801.63101.94901.85903/40.78000.65800.62500.09000.0300
1-1/41.25001.27701.22301-7/81.87501.81202.16502.066027/320.87600.74900.62500.09000.0300

 Application scope

Fasteners under the ASME B18.2.1 standard are widely used in fields demanding high safety and durability due to their high strength and reliability:

Steel Structure Buildings: The main frame connections of factories, bridges, stadiums, and other structures often utilize heavy-duty hexagonal bolts.

Heavy Machinery and Equipment: flange connections for construction machinery, mining equipment, pressure vessels, and wind turbine towers.

Transportation: Fastening of railway vehicles, truck chassis, and ship deck equipment.

Energy and Power: critical connection points for power plant structures, transmission towers, and oil rigs.

Infrastructure: Installation of highway guardrails, noise barriers, and large-scale storage systems.

For customers requiring standard or customized solutions, we recommend collaborating with professional suppliers when purchasing ASME B18.2.1 bolts. It is essential to provide complete details such as standard number, product type, dimensions, and material grade requirements. Such as ASTM A193, A307, A320, A354, A449, etc. to ensure absolute accuracy.

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