A counterbored hole is usually used for when the top of a screw or bolt needs to be flush with, or sit just beneath, the surface of the material it is inserting.
An example of a cheese head screw and the corresponding counterbore hole is shown in this 3D model:
Use the image and chart below to determine what dimensions to use, all dimensions are in millimetres.
For example, an ISO M6 cheese head screw with a normal fit counterbored hole will require a pilot hole diameter of 6.6 mm, a counterbore diameter of 11 mm, and a counterbore depth of 4.5 mm.
Counterbore Hole Size Chart for Cheese Head Fasteners (ISO)
All dimensions are in millimetres.
Fastener Size | Pilot Hole Diameter (Close Fit H12) | Pilot Hole Diameter (Normal Fit H13) | Pilot Hole Diameter (Loose Fit H14) | Counterbore Diameter | Counterbore Depth |
| M1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 2 | 3.5 | 1.5 |
| M2 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 4.4 | 1.8 |
| M2.5 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 5.5 | 2.2 |
| M3 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 6.5 | 2.4 |
| M4 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 8 | 3 |
| M5 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 10 | 3.7 |
| M6 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 7 | 11 | 4.5 |
| M8 | 8.4 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 5.6 |
| M10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 6.6 |
If you want to learn more about counterbored holes, see our post here.