Wood Screw Pilot Hole Sizes: #5 wood screw
Specific conversion page with reference context, calculator, and nearby values.
On this page
#5 wood screw converts to
0.1094 in softwood / 0.125 in hardwood
Use this as a quick reference for Wood Screw Pilot Hole Sizes.
Value Details
Input: #5 wood screw
Output: 0.1094 in softwood / 0.125 in hardwood
Browse all reference values for Wood Screw Pilot Hole Sizes
softwoodPilotIn: 0.1094 | hardwoodPilotIn: 0.125 | clearanceIn: 0.1406 | softwoodPilotMm: 2.78 | hardwoodPilotMm: 3.18 | clearanceMm: 3.57
Pilot Hole Size Calculator
Select a screw gauge and wood type to get recommended pilot and clearance diameters.
Pilot Hole Result
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Nearby Reference Values
| Screw Gauge | Softwood Pilot (in) | Hardwood Pilot (in) | Clearance (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #2 wood screw | 0.0625 | 0.0781 | 0.0938 |
| #3 wood screw | 0.0781 | 0.0938 | 0.1094 |
| #4 wood screw | 0.0938 | 0.1094 | 0.125 |
| #5 wood screw | 0.1094 | 0.125 | 0.1406 |
| #6 wood screw | 0.1094 | 0.1406 | 0.1562 |
| #7 wood screw | 0.125 | 0.1406 | 0.1719 |
| #8 wood screw | 0.125 | 0.1562 | 0.1719 |
| #9 wood screw | 0.1406 | 0.1562 | 0.1875 |
| #10 wood screw | 0.1406 | 0.1719 | 0.2031 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wood Screw Pilot Hole Sizes, formulas, and expected usage.
Why use different pilot holes for hardwood and softwood?
Hardwoods split more easily, so they usually need a larger pilot hole than softwoods for the same screw gauge.
What is a clearance hole?
A clearance hole is drilled through the top piece so screw threads do not bite that layer, helping pull parts tightly together.
Should I always drill pilot holes?
Pilot holes are strongly recommended near board ends, in hardwoods, and for larger screws to reduce splitting and improve driving accuracy.
Do these values replace manufacturer guidance?
Use these as practical defaults, then adjust to screw type, wood moisture, and manufacturer recommendations for critical work.
Methodology and Review
This page is generated from the same conversion definition used by the main calculator page, which keeps the calculator, reference table rows, and FAQ schema aligned.
Reviewer and update metadata are shown above and included in structured data. See our editorial policy, review process, and corrections policy.
Use this page as a fast lookup reference, then confirm final project values using applicable standards and manufacturer documentation.