A AN M E R I C A NN A T I O N ASL T A N D A R D

T-Slots, Their Bolts, Nuts, and

Tongues
4

ANSI/ASME B5.1M

1985

(REVISION OF ANSI-~
65.1-1975)
.

REAFFIRMED 1998
FOR CURRENT COMMITFEE PERSONNEL
PLEASE SEE ASME MANUAL
AS-11

REAFFIRMED 2004
FOR CURRENT COMMITTEE PERSONNEL
PLEASE E-MAIL CS@asme.org

S P O N S O R E DA N DP U B L I S H E DB Y

T H EA M E R I C A NS O C I E T Y
United
Engineering
Center

OF

M E C H A N I C A LE N G I N E E R S

3 4 5 E a s t 4 7 t h Street

N e w York, N. Y. 10017

Date of Issuance: September 15, 1986

This Standard will be revised when the Society approves the issuance of a new edition.
There will be no addenda or written interpretations of the requirements of this Standard
issued to this Edition.

This code or standard was developed under procedures accredited as meeting the criteria for
American National Standards. The Consensus Committee that approved the code or standard was
balanced t o assure that individuals from competent and concerned interests have had an opport u n i t y t o participate. The proposed code or standard was made available for public review and
comment which provides an opportunity for additional public input from industry,
academia, regulatory agencies, and the public-at-large.
ASME does not "approve," "rate," or "endorse" any item, construction, proprietary device, or
activity.
ASME does not take any position with respect to the validity of any patent rights asserted in
connection with any items mentioned in this document, and
does not undertake to insure anyone
utilizing a standard against liability for infringement of any applicable Letters Patent, nor assume
any such liability. Users of a code
or standard are expressly advised that determination of the
is entirely their o w n
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responsibility.
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ASME procedures and policies which preclude the issuance of interpretations by individual volunteers.

No part of this document may be reproduced in any form,

in an electronic retrieval systemor otherwise,
without the prior written permission of thepublisher.
Copyright 0 1986 by
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
All Rights Reserved
Printed in U.S.A.
I

FOREWORD
(This Foreword is notpart

of ANSVASMEB5.1M-1985.)

Work on the standardization of T-slots started in 1924 and a tentative standard was published
in 1927. The first official American Standard for T-slots came in 1941. This was last revised
in 1949.
The 1975 revision continued the basic sizes originally established. However, all.dimensions
except the nominal T-bolt size were converted to decimal inches in recognition of the increasing preference of industry for decimals.
Much material that was originally included to cover the transitional period has been deleted.
A lettering system for the figures has been adopted that should facilitate cross reference between tables. In this system, comparable dimensions bear the same letter with a subscript
indicating table number. Thus, A , is width of T-slot throat, A2 is diameter of T-bolt to fit that
throat, and A3 is width of T-nut tongue to fit that throat.
Metric T-slots, as they have been standardized by ISO/TC39, Machine Tools, have been
placed side by side with the inch-sized T-slots. Interchangeability is possible between corresponding sizes of the two measuring systems with the exception of the locating tongue and Tslot throat dimensions, and the difference in the fastening threads on T-bolts. The listing of
T-slots and T-bolts in I S 0 299-1973, although essentially identical to sizes listed in this Standard, are rejected because they are shown with fractional dimensions. The spacing of T-slots
in machine tool components as given in I S 0 299-1973 is likewise rejected following consensus
of U.S. builders and users of machine tools. This Standard accepts the tolerance codes of I S 0
286 for metric sizes of T-slots only.
Information relative to cutters for T-slots has been deleted to avoid duplication and possible
conflict with information contained in ANWASME B94.19,.Milling Cutters and End Mills.
Following approval by the Standards Committee, the 1975 revision was presented to the
sponsor organizations and to ANSI for approval and designation as an American National
Standard. This was granted on August 8, 1975.
The 1985 revision was approved as an American National Standard on December 12, 1985.

...

111

ASME STANDARDS COMMITTEE B5

Machine Tools, Components, Elements, Performance, and Equipment
(The following is the roster
of the Committee at the timeof approval of this Standard).

OFFICERS
R. T. Woythal, Vice Chairman, Group A
W. S. Roorda, Vice Chairman, Group B
H. Cooper, Vice Chairman, Group C
W. R. Daisak, Secretary

COMMITTEE PERSONNEL
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
F. S. Blackall, The Taft-Pierce Manufacturing Co., Woonsocket, Rhode Island
DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL PLANT EQUIPMENT CENTER
J. W . Lynch, Defense Logistics Agency. Memphis, Tennessee
D. Williams, Alternate, Defense Logistics Agency, Memphis, Tennessee
NATIONAL MACHINE TOOL BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
V. R. Walser, Giddings & Lewis Machine Tool Co., Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
A. M. Bratkovich, Alternate, National Machine Tool Builders Association, McLean, Virginia

SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS

R. W . Kynast, The Cross Co., Fraser, Michigan
-U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
D. L. York, U.S. Army Armament Material Readiness Command, Rock Island, Illinois
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
P. Ackerman, AMF, Inc. Westerville, Ohio
H. Cooper, Consultant, Troy, Michigan
W. S. Roorda, Alcona Associates Inc., Harrisville, Michigan
J. J. Smetana, General Electric Co., Schenectady, New York
R. T. Woythal, Kearney 81Trecker Corp., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

SUBCOMMITTEE 65.1

- COMPONENTS

R. R. Carrol, Lucas Machine Division, Litton Industrial Products, Cleveland, Ohio

G. J. Czarnecki, DeLaval Turbine Canada Ltd., Ontario, Canada
R. T. Woythal, Kearney & Trecker Corp., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

CONTENTS

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Standards Committee
Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
2
3
4

Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

...

111

1
1
1
1

Tables

1
2
3
4

T-Slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DimensionsofT-Bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DimensionsofT-Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions of Tongue Seats, Inserted Tongues, and Solid Tongues . . . . . . . . . . . . .

vii

2
4
6
7

ANSI/ASME 85.1 M-1985

AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

T-SLOTS, THEIRBOLTS,

NUTS, AND TONGUES

1 SCOPE

ANSI/ASME
Gages
1.16M,B
and Gaging for Metric M
Screw Threads
ANWASME B18.3, Socket Cap, Shoulder, and Set

This Standard applies to T-slots as used on machine

tools for the mounting of fixtures, attachments, and accessories; and to the bolts, nuts, and tongues used in
such slots.

screws

ANWASME B94.19, Milling Cutters and End Mills

Publisher:

ASME
United Engineering Center
345 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017

Orders:

ASME Order Department

22 Law Drive
Box 2300
Fairfield, NJ 07007-2300

2 DEFINITIONS
T-slot - a slot with a narrow throat near the surface and
a wider space (called headspace) further from the surface so that clamping can be effected aganst the shoulder
at the inside end of the throat
T-bolt - a bolt with a square head that fits in the headspace of a T-slot with a shank which protrudes through
the throat and to which the fixture is attached
T-nut - a square nut whichfits the headspace of a
T-slot and has a tongue fitting in the throat. A T-nut is
tapped to take a stud of smaller diameter than the throat
of the slot.
solid tongue - a projection on a fixture or attachment
designed to locate in the throat of a T-slot
inserted tongue - a tongue which is inserted in a seat
in the base of a fixture and projects to locate the fixturein the throat of a T-slot

IS0 263-1973, I S 0 Inch Screw Threads

I S 0 286-1962, System of Limits and Fits, Part I

IS0 965-1973, General Purpose Metric Screw Threads

Publisher:

International Organization
for Standardization
Geneva, Switzerland

Orders:

American National Standards

Institute, Inc.
1430 Broadway
New York, NY 10018

3 REFERENCES

4 DIMENSIONS

The latest editions of the following American National Standards apply:

ANSUASME B1.1, Unified Inch Screw Threads

Suggested dimensions forT-slots,T-bolts,T-nuts,

tongue seats, inserted tongues, and solid tongues are
given in Tables 1 through 4.

ANSI/ASME B5.1 M- 1985

AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

T-SLOTS, THEIR BOLTS, NUTS, AND TONGUES

...

24
30
36

42
48

1.OOO
1.250
1.500

...
...

...

...

1.062
1.312
1.562

0.562
0.688
0,812

0.282
0.344
0.438

"'

....

in.

.'.

...

min.

...
'..

1.750
2.125
2.562

0.906
1.188
1.375

0.500
0.594
0.719

48 85
54

28
36
42

14
18
22

8
10
12

5
6

mm

of
A,
[Note (211
in.

...

...

...

...
66

1.844
2.219
2.656

0.969
1.250
1.469

0.562
0.656
0.781

max.

80
59
90

46
56
68

23
30
37

14.5
16
19

10
11

95

...

50
60
72

25
32
40

16
18
21

11
12.5

mm

max.
max.
min.
min.

Width B,

8
0.234
8
0.266
0.328

...

0.828
1.094
1.344

... 44 ...
...
...
50

0.781
1.031
1.281

0.359 0.391
0.453 0.484
0.594 .0.625

0.203
0.234
0.297

...

...

in.

36
40

20
25
32

9
12
16

7
7

40
44

22
28
35

11
14
18

3.5
6

max.
max.
min.

mm
min.

Depth C1

...

0.750
1.000
1.250

0.312
0.438
0.562

0.125
0.156
0.219

'.'
7
8 ...

...

...

...

...

1.250
1.562
1.938

0.688
0.875
1.062

0.375
0.438
0.562

in.

26
33
39

12
16
20

7
9
11

4.5
5

min.

36
46
53

19
24
29

11
14
17

0.8

max.
max.
max.
max.
max.

mm

Depth of Throat Dl

option.

mm

v)

-I

z
C

...

...

0.03
0.03
0.'03

0.02
0.03
0.03

0.02
0.02
0.02

... ...

...

R1

...

...

0.06
0.06
0.06

0.03
0.03
0.03

0.02
0.03
0.03

...

...
0.8

W,

...

...

0.05
0.05
0.05

0.03
0.05
0.05

0.03
0.03
0.03

1.5
1.5

0.8
0.8
0.8

0.5
0.8
0.8

0.5
0.5
0.5

0.5

R1

...0.80.80.5

U1

2.5
2.5

1.5
1.5
1.5

0.8
0.8
0.8

0.8
0.8
0.8

Wl

max.

2
2

1.3
1.3
1.3

0.8
1.3
1.3

0.8
0.8
0.8

J
'1

max.

p
p

in.

Rounding or Breaking of Corners [Note (311

NOTES:
(1) Width of tongue (tenon) tobe used with the above T-slots willbe found in Table 4.
(2) Throat dimensions are basic. When slots are intended to be used for holding only, tolerances can be 0.0 0.010 in. or H12
Metric (ISOIR286); when intended for location, tolerance can be0.0 0.001 in. or H8 Metric (ISOIR286).
(3) Corners of T-slots may be square, or may be rounded or broken to the indicated maximum dimensions at the manufacturer's

12
16
20

6
8
10

0.250
0.312
0.375

0.500
0.625
0.750

mm

...

...

in.

Width T-Nominal
Bolt
[Note ( 1)I

Headspace Dimensions

TABLE 1, T-SLOTS

ANSI/ASME B5.1 M-1985

AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

T-SLOTS, THEIR BOLTS, NUTS, AND TONGUES

[Note

VI

'

...

75
85

74
84

42
52
63

...

106.1
120.2

...

...

...

32
36

18
23
28

0.656
0.906
1.156

60.8
75
90.5

2.387
2.91 7
3.536

...

8
10
14

0.297
7.6
0.391
9.6
0.500

0.31 2
0.406
0.531

31.1
39.6
48.1

1.238
1.591
1.856
0.688
0.938
1.188

6
6
7

0.141
0.1 72
0.234

0.1 56
0.188
0.250

18.4
21.2
25.5

2.5
4

0.663
0.796
0.972

...

...2.1

max.
max.
max. max.min.
max. min. max.

in.

...

mm
max.

C,

12.7
14.1

in.
rnax.

Height
Across
Width
Corners

Bolt Head Dimensions

mm

30.5
34.5

17.2
22.2
27.2

13.2

5.6
5.6
6.6

3.6

NOTES:
Tolerances for diameters of bolts or studs and for threads are in accordance with ANSllASME 61.1 and I S 0 263-1973 for
inch threads, and with ANWASME B1.16M and I S 0 965-1973 for metric threads.
Corners of T-bolts may besquare, or may be rounded or brokento the indicated maximum dimensions at the manufacturer's
option.
T-slots to be used with these bolts will be found in
Table 1.
Metric thread grade and tolerance position is 59 69.

...

...

M42
M48

...

...

...

43
53
64

1.656
2.031
2.469

1.688
2.062
2.500

M 24
M30
M36

1.000- 8
1.250-7
1.500- 6

21
27
33

22
28
34

0.844
1.094
1.281

0.875
1.125
1.31 2

M12
M16
M20

0.500-13
0.625-1 1
0.750-10

12
14
17

13
15
18

0.438
0.531
0.656

0.469
0.562
0.688

...

8.5
9.5

min.

9
10

...

M6
M8
M10

...

...

max. max. min.

(41

M4
M5

mm

in.

0.250-20
0.31 2-1 8
0.375-16

. ..
. ..

Customary
UNC-2A

B2

Across
Flats
Width

Metric
IS0

[Notes (1). (311

A2

Nominal T-Bolt
Size and Thread

TABLE 2 DIMENSIONS OF T-BOLTS

0.5
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8

0.02
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03

1
1

0.5
0.5
0.5

0.02
0.02
0.02

...

0.3
0.3

...
...

...

rnm

in.

R2

1.5
1.5
1.5

0.06
0.06
0.06

...

...

2
2

1.5
1.5
1.5

0.8
0.8
0.8

0.03
0.03
0.03

0.06
0.06
0.06

0.5
0.5

rnm

(211

...
...

in.

w2

Rounding of Corners
[Note

rn

%
2

v)

G,

v)

&

-4

z
C

...

8.5 0.250-20
10.75 0.312-18

............

UNC-3B

...

min.

in.

42
48

......
......

46.75 46.25
52.5 51.75

...
'..

24 1.033 1.018 26.5 26

0.750-10
30 1.273 1.258 33
32.5 1.00036 1.523 1.508 39.25 38.75 1.250-

min.
,

in.

rnax. min. 'rnax.

mm

min.

max.

11

I1

I1

mm . in.

mm

Thickness,
Including
Length
of
Tongue K3 Nut L, [Note
(311 [Note (311

min.
in.

mm

Height of Nut C,

M36
......
~ 4 2. . . . . .

M20 1.688 1.656

8 M24 2.062 2.031
7 M30 2.500 2.469
75
85

43
42
53
52
64
63-

M10 0.875 0.844 . 22

M12 1.125 1.094 2728
M16 1.312 1.281 34

0.562 0.531 1415

0.688 0.656 18

74
84

33

21

......
.......

0.688
0.656
0.938
0.906
23
1.188 1.156

0.312 0.297
0.406 0.391
0.531 0.500

0.188 0.172
6
17 0.250
0.234
7

........................
M6
M8

32
36

28

18

8
10
14

12
15
21

0.875
1.125
1.312

9
0.562
10.5 0.688

30.5
34.5

...

...

48
54

...

...

17.2 1.000 ' 2 7

1.688
22.2 1.312 34
2.062
27.2 1.625 42
2.500

7.6 0.531
9.6 0.625
13.2 0.781

5.6 6.281
6.6 0.375

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Total

in,.
mm
max.
max.
max.
max.

R3

75
85

46
53
65

23
27
35

18
20

...
'.'

0.03
0.03
0.03

0.02
0.03
0.03

0.02
0.02

1
1

0.8
0.8
0.8

0.5
0.8
0.8

0.5
0.5

. . . . . . . . .

...

...

0.06
0.06
0.06

0.06
0.06
0.06

0.03
0.03

...

in.

1.5
1.5
1.5

1.5
1.5
1.5

0.8
0.8

...

mm

v)

t)

-4

2
0

v)

-I

v)

II!

v)

-4

v)

I
-

D m

Z W

5;

5s

gg

zz
rn

$2

22C

w3

Rounding of Corners

'4i'

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

max.

In.

Width of Nut B3

T-

'

j
;I

i/ bf

NOTES:
(1) T-slot dimensions t o f i tthe above nuts will be found in Table 1.
(2) Tolerances for threads are in accordance with ANSI/ASME 81.1 and I S 0 263-1 973for inch threads, andANSI/ASME B1.16M
and IS0 965-1 973for metric threads.
(3) There are no tolerances givenfor "total thickness" or "nut length" as they need not be held to close limits.
(4) Metric tapped threadgrade and tolerance position is5H.

...
...

1.000
1.250
1.500

TABLE 3 DIMENSIONS OF T-NUTS

'

II

II

II

I1

II

II

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IS0

mm

E3
Tap for
[Note (211

...

rnax.

mm

A3

............
. . . . . . . . . . . .

min.

8 0.3300.320 8.7
10 0.418 0.408 11

4
5

mm max.

in.

Stud
Tongue
Width
of

0.500
12
0.543
0.533 13.5 13.25 0.375-16
0.625 16 0.668 0.658 17.25 17
0.500-13
0.750 20 0.783 0.773 20.5 20.25 0.625-11

0.312
0.375

6 0.250

...
...

in.

Nominal
Bolt Size
[Note (111

I!I I

;II

+L3------CI

1'1
!I
I1

I'

ii I ir
'I

D>

zz
DE

ad

42

..

5
6

mm

...
...

1.062
1.312
42
1.562

140.562
0.688
0.812

48
54

28
36

18
22

8
0.344 0.47 10
0.56 12

...

...

in.

Width A,Length
[Note
(111

Dimensions

...

...

1.50
1.88
2.25

0.75
0.94
1:12

0.38

...

...

64
72

37
46
57

19
24
30

10
12
15

7
8

...

...

0.219
0.250
8 0.312

0.125
0.125
0.1 56

0.094
0.125
0.125

...

...

10
12

5
6

3
3
4

2.5
3
3

2
2

mm

in.

mrn

in.

Projection 0,
[Note (311

L,
[Note (211

Tongue

...

...

0.562
0.625
16
0.750

9 0.344
0.375
10
0.438
12

0.219
0.281
0.312

...
...

in.

22
25

19

14

6
7

4.5
5

mm

Thickness K4

...
...

0.343
0.375
0.438

0.219
7 0.250
0.281

0.125
0.156
0.187

...

...

in.

13

12

9
10
11

3.5
4
5

2.5
3

rnm

Depth of Seat
S, [Note (311

...

...

0.375-16
M10
0.375-16
0.500-13
M12

M14
M16

M10

21
24

16
16
18

0.562
0.562
0.750

...
...

13

M6
M8

0.250-20
M6
0.250-20
0.31 2-1 8

5.5
7
8.5

3.8
4.5

mm

0.375
10
0.375
10
0.469

0.20.5
0.270
0.312

M3
M4
M5
NO. 5-40
NO. 8-32
NO. 10-24

...

in.

Diameter of
Head H4

...

(41

Metric
IS0
. [Note

M2
M2.5

...
...

Customary
UNC3A13B

Diameter of Screw
E,

...
...

0.375
10
0.375
0.500

14
16

10
12

6
6

0.250
0.250
8 0.312

2
2.5

mm

3
4
5

...

...

in.

Thickness of
Head G4

0.125
0.164
0.190

Socket Head Cap Screw

DIMENSIONS OF TONGUE SEATS, INSERTED TONGUES, AND SOLID TONGUES

NOTES:
(1) A tolerance of 0-0.001 in. or H8 metric (ISOIR 286) is allowed on "width of tongue" A,.
(2) The length of tongue can be variedto suitrequirements.
(3)The "tongue projection" D4 and "depth of seat" S, are vital only when reversible tongues are expected t o be used. In some
cases, a greater projection D, or a shallower seat S4 may be desirable. Such changes can be made without interferring with
interchangeability.
(4) Metric thread fit is 5H/4g 6g.

48

24
30
36

1.000
1.250
1.500

..

16
20

0.2500.282 6
8
0.312
0.375 0.43810

4
5

...
...

120.500
0.625
0.750

mm

in.

Nominal
T-Bolt
Size A2

and

TABLE 4

-I

cn

-I

v)