Thread Pitch & TPI Converter – Metric to Imperial Threads

Convert metric thread pitch in millimeters to threads per inch (TPI), or convert TPI to metric pitch. Compare common thread standards and find close pitch equivalents.

Thread pitch converter

Common metric thread pitches

Metric pitch TPI equivalent Threads / inch
0.40 mm63.500 TPI63.50
0.45 mm56.444 TPI56.44
0.50 mm50.800 TPI50.80
0.60 mm42.333 TPI42.33
0.70 mm36.286 TPI36.29
0.75 mm33.867 TPI33.87
0.80 mm31.750 TPI31.75
1.00 mm25.400 TPI25.40
1.25 mm20.320 TPI20.32
1.50 mm16.933 TPI16.93
1.75 mm14.514 TPI14.51
2.00 mm12.700 TPI12.70
2.50 mm10.160 TPI10.16
3.00 mm8.467 TPI8.47
3.50 mm7.257 TPI7.26
4.00 mm6.350 TPI6.35
4.50 mm5.644 TPI5.64
5.00 mm5.080 TPI5.08
Conversion rule: TPI = 25.4 ÷ pitch in mm.

Common imperial thread references

Thread Standard TPI Pitch mm
1/4-20UNC201.2700
1/4-28UNF280.9071
5/16-18UNC181.4111
5/16-24UNF241.0583
3/8-16UNC161.5875
3/8-24UNF241.0583
7/16-14UNC141.8143
7/16-20UNF201.2700
1/2-13UNC131.9538
1/2-20UNF201.2700
9/16-12UNC122.1167
9/16-18UNF181.4111
5/8-11UNC112.3091
5/8-18UNF181.4111
3/4-10UNC102.5400
3/4-16UNF161.5875
7/8-9UNC92.8222
7/8-14UNF141.8143
1-8UNC83.1750
1-12UNF122.1167
UNC = Unified National Coarse · UNF = Unified National Fine.

Find the closest common pitch

Metric vs imperial threads

A matching pitch number does not make two threads interchangeable. Diameter, thread profile, included angle, crest/root form, tolerance class and thread standard must also match.

Useful thread calculations

1 inch
25.4 mm
TPI from pitch
25.4 ÷ mm
Pitch from TPI
25.4 ÷ TPI
Higher TPI
Smaller pitch
Example
A 1.25 mm metric pitch corresponds to 20.32 TPI. That does not mean it is automatically interchangeable with a 20 TPI imperial thread.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert mm pitch to TPI? Divide 25.4 by the pitch in millimeters. For example, 1.5 mm gives 16.933 TPI.

How do I convert TPI to metric pitch? Divide 25.4 by the TPI value. For example, 20 TPI equals 1.27 mm pitch.

What does TPI stand for? TPI means threads per inch and describes the number of thread pitches across one inch.

What is a metric thread pitch? It is the axial distance between corresponding points on neighboring threads, expressed in millimeters.

Is 1.25 mm the same as 20 TPI? No. 1.25 mm equals 20.32 TPI. It is close in spacing to 20 TPI but is not identical.

Can I use a metric bolt with an imperial nut if the pitch is close? No. Close pitch alone is not sufficient. The diameter, profile, angle, tolerance and standard must match for proper mechanical compatibility.

Does higher TPI mean a finer thread? For the same nominal diameter, a higher TPI means smaller distance between threads and therefore a finer thread.

Does this identify the complete thread standard? No. Pitch conversion identifies spacing only. Complete identification also requires diameter and the applicable thread standard and tolerance.