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Bettesworth Construction
bolt dimensions

M20 Bolt Size Explained: Diameter, Pitch, Head Size and Fit

M20 specifies a 20 mm nominal metric thread—not the whole bolt. Check pitch, head form, length, material and property class before choosing a fastener.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 3 min read
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M20 means a metric thread with a nominal diameter of 20 mm. The common coarse-thread version is M20 × 2.5, but fine pitches are available. For a typical ISO 4014 hex-head bolt, the reference dimensions are 30 mm across flats and 12.5 mm head height. M20 alone does not specify the bolt’s length, head form, material or strength class.

What does M20 mean?

The “M” identifies an ISO metric screw thread; “20” is its nominal diameter in millimetres. It describes the thread size, not the bolt’s head width or overall length. ISO 724:2023 specifies the basic dimensions of general-purpose metric screw threads according to ISO 261: ISO 724:2023.

A complete selection may also need the pitch, length, head style, fastener standard, material, finish and mechanical property class. Those details cannot be inferred from M20 alone.

What is the pitch of an M20 bolt?

Pitch is the distance between adjacent thread crests. The common coarse pitch for M20 is 2.5 mm, written M20 × 2.5. A reviewed M20 reference also lists fine pitches of 2.0 mm and 1.5 mm; the pitch should be confirmed from the drawing or mating thread rather than assumed (My Local Components, reviewed 16 August 2026).

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Designation Pitch Practical implication
M20 × 2.5 2.5 mm Common coarse-thread version.
M20 × 2.0 2.0 mm Fine-pitch alternative; must match the mating thread.
M20 × 1.5 1.5 mm Fine-pitch alternative; must match the mating thread.

Bolts with the same nominal diameter but different pitches are not interchangeable. For a replacement, check an existing fastener or the specified thread before ordering or assembly.

What size spanner fits an M20 bolt?

For the cited M20 ISO 4014 hexagon-head bolt, the nominal width across flats is 30 mm, so a 30 mm spanner or socket is the reference fit. Its listed head height is 12.5 mm. These are head dimensions—not the M20 thread diameter—and other head styles take different tools (My Local Components, reviewed 16 August 2026; ISO 4014:2022).

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A socket-head cap screw is a different form: the same reference lists a 17 mm hex-key size for an M20 ISO 4762 example. Do not apply the 30 mm spanner dimension to socket-head fasteners.

M20 dimensions and workshop reference values

The following M20 values are listed by My Local Components in a guide reviewed 16 August 2026. They are reference dimensions and examples; confirm the applicable standard, drawing and design requirements for the actual job.

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Feature Reference value Qualification
Nominal thread diameter 20.0 mm M20 designation.
Coarse pitch 2.5 mm Common coarse version.
Fine pitches 2.0 mm; 1.5 mm Alternatives; match the mating thread.
Hex-head width across flats 30.0 mm Cited M20 hex-head example.
Hex-head height 12.5 mm Cited M20 hex-head example.
Clearance-hole examples 21 mm close; 22 mm medium; 24 mm coarse fit Example fit values, not a substitute for the drawing or governing specification.
Tap-drill examples 17.5 mm for M20 × 2.5; 18.0 mm and 18.5 mm for the listed fine-pitch alternatives The 17.5 mm example assumes 75% thread engagement; confirm material, required engagement and tapping practice.

ISO 4014:2022 covers steel and stainless-steel hexagon-head bolts with metric coarse-pitch threads from M1.6 to M64 in product grades A and B. ISO 4017:2022 covers corresponding coarse-thread hexagon-head screws, a separate product form. Their catalogue entries describe scope, not every dimension or tolerance; consult the full standard where controlled design, procurement or inspection requires it (ISO 4014:2022; ISO 4017:2022).

How to specify or choose an M20 fastener

  1. Match the thread. Confirm M20 diameter and the exact pitch—typically 2.5 mm for coarse thread, but fine pitches are also available.
  2. Choose the fastener form and standard. Specify hexagon-head bolt or screw as required, and whether the shank should be partly or fully threaded. ISO 4014 and ISO 4017 cover distinct product forms.
  3. Set the length and grip requirements. M20 does not give the fastener length. Use the drawing and joint details to choose a length that suits the parts being joined.
  4. Specify material, finish and property class. Select these for the application rather than assuming them from the thread designation.
  5. Check access and hole requirements. Confirm tool clearance, head form and the specified clearance hole; use the drawing or governing design requirements for drilling.
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Why an M20 marking does not give a safe torque

Torque depends on more than thread diameter. The cited guide reports dry-condition examples of 405 Nm for property class 8.8 and 570 Nm for class 10.9 under its stated assumptions; these are not universal tightening recommendations (My Local Components, reviewed 16 August 2026).

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For an actual joint, follow its engineering specification and fastener-maker instructions. Friction changes with lubrication, coatings and surface condition, and the required preload depends on joint design. Do not transfer a generic dry-torque figure to lubricated hardware or a safety-critical connection.

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