A letter e drill measures 0.2500 inch (6.350 mm). The closest fractional drill is 1/4" (0.2500") and the closest metric drill is 6.3 mm (0.2480").
What are the letter e drill equivalents?
| Drill | System | Decimal (in) | mm | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | letter | 0.2500 | 6.350 | 0 |
| 6.3 mm | metric | 0.2480 | 6.300 | -0.0020 |
| 1/4" | fraction | 0.2500 | 6.350 | +0.0000 |
| 6.4 mm | metric | 0.2520 | 6.400 | +0.0020 |
Drill sets that include this size
Number and letter sizes come in indexed sets; buy the set rather than single drills.
What speed should a letter e drill run?
| Material | RPM (HSS) | Feed (in/rev) |
|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 aluminum | 3,056 | 0.0050 |
| 360 free-machining brass | 2,292 | 0.0045 |
| 1018 cold rolled steel | 1,222 | 0.0037 |
| 304 stainless steel | 611 | 0.0025 |
Starting points from conservative HSS drilling speeds. Small drills often call for more RPM than a benchtop drill press offers; run at the top speed and feed gently. Use cutting oil in steel and stainless, and clamp the work: never hold it by hand.
Cutting fluid for drilling
Frequently asked questions
What is a letter e drill in inches?
0.2500 inch, which is 6.350 mm. Letter drills run from A (0.234 inch) to Z (0.413 inch), continuing upward from the number drills. If you do not have this exact size, 6.3 mm is within 0.0020 inch.
What tap uses a letter e drill?
No common UNC or UNF thread uses it as its standard 75% tap drill, but it often serves as an alternative drill for a slightly different percentage of thread, or as a clearance or pilot size. The tap drill chart lists every standard pairing.