---
type: "drill"
designation: "1/2"
series: "fractional"
series_name: "Fractional Drill Sizes"
diameter_in: 0.5
diameter_mm: 12.7
fraction_label: "1/2"
standard: "ANSI/ASME B94.11M; BS 328"
verified: "August 1, 2026"
url: https://shopmath.org/drills/fractional/1-2
---

# 1/2 Drill Bit Size — 0.5000 in / 12.700 mm

A 1/2 drill bit is 0.5000 in (12.700 mm) in diameter. It belongs to the fractional series of standard twist drills.

- **Designation**: 1/2
- **Series**: Fractional
- **Diameter**: 0.5000 in (12.700 mm)
- **Fraction**: 1/2

## 1/2 Drill Diameter

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Designation | 1/2 |
| Series | Fractional |
| Diameter (in) | 0.5000 |
| Diameter (mm) | 12.700 |
| Fractional call-out | 1/2 |

## 1/2 Drill Equivalents in the Other Size Series

The nearest standard drill to 1/2 in each of the other three series. Nothing here is an exact match unless the difference column reads 0.0000 in.

| Series | Nearest drill | Diameter (in) | Diameter (mm) | Difference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Number | [#1](https://shopmath.org/drills/number/1.md) | 0.2280 | 5.791 | -0.2720 in |
| Letter | [Z](https://shopmath.org/drills/letter/z.md) | 0.4130 | 10.490 | -0.0870 in |
| Metric | [12.7 mm](https://shopmath.org/drills/metric/12-7mm.md) | 0.5000 | 12.700 | +0.0000 in |

## Sources and Method for the 1/2 Drill Size

### Drill index

- **Source**: Number/letter: bd_warehouse drill_sizes.csv (Apache-2.0) cross-checked against Wikipedia Drill bit sizes (CC BY-SA 4.0). Fractional: computed 1/64 in steps per ANSI B94.11M. Metric: computed BS 328 increment pattern.
- **Method**: computed
- **Verified against**: Wikipedia Drill bit sizes (CC BY-SA 4.0); 31/31 checks passed

### Assumptions

- Drill diameters are nominal. A worn or run-out drill cuts oversize; measure the hole, not the shank, when the fit matters.
- Dataset scope: Number sizes #61-#80 are stored but tagged demandTier 'extended' — query-space-map.md Appendix A found the tail thinning in the 60s. Sizes below #80 and metric sizes above 25.0 mm excluded.

**Data last verified**: August 1, 2026

## Common Questions About the 1/2 Drill Bit

### What size is a 1/2 drill bit size?

A 1/2 drill bit is 0.5000 in (12.700 mm) in diameter. The nearest fractional call-out is 1/2.

### What is the metric equivalent of a 1/2 drill bit?

The closest metric drill to 1/2 (0.5000 in (12.700 mm)) is 12.7 mm at 0.5000 in (12.700 mm) — a difference of 0.0000 in.

## Related pages

- Next size down (any series): [12.6 mm](https://shopmath.org/drills/metric/12-6mm.md) — 0.4961 in (12.600 mm)
- Next size up (any series): [12.8 mm](https://shopmath.org/drills/metric/12-8mm.md) — 0.5039 in (12.800 mm)
- Previous in the fractional series: [31/64](https://shopmath.org/drills/fractional/31-64.md)
- Next in the fractional series: [33/64](https://shopmath.org/drills/fractional/33-64.md)
- All fractional sizes: [Fractional drill sizes](https://shopmath.org/drills/fractional.md)
- All drill sizes: [Drill bit size reference](https://shopmath.org/drills.md)
- Complete index by diameter: [Drill size chart](https://shopmath.org/charts/drill-sizes.md)
- Tap drills by thread: [Tap drill chart](https://shopmath.org/charts/tap-drill.md)

---

*Source: [ShopMath](https://shopmath.org/drills/fractional/1-2) — data verified August 1, 2026. Reference data; verify against the governing standard before manufacture.*