---
type: "drill"
designation: "#12"
series: "number"
series_name: "Number Drill Sizes"
diameter_in: 0.189
diameter_mm: 4.8006
standard: "ANSI/ASME B94.11M; BS 328"
verified: "August 1, 2026"
url: https://shopmath.org/drills/number/12
---

# #12 Drill Bit Size — 0.1890 in / 4.801 mm

A #12 drill bit is 0.1890 in (4.801 mm) in diameter. It belongs to the number series of standard twist drills.

- **Designation**: #12
- **Series**: Number
- **Diameter**: 0.1890 in (4.801 mm)

## #12 Drill Diameter

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Designation | #12 |
| Series | Number |
| Diameter (in) | 0.1890 |
| Diameter (mm) | 4.801 |

## #12 Drill Equivalents in the Other Size Series

The nearest standard drill to #12 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Letter | [A](https://shopmath.org/drills/letter/a.md) | 0.2340 | 5.944 | +0.0450 in |
| Fractional | [3/16](https://shopmath.org/drills/fractional/3-16.md) | 0.1875 | 4.763 | -0.0015 in |
| Metric | [4.8 mm](https://shopmath.org/drills/metric/4-8mm.md) | 0.1890 | 4.800 | -0.0000 in |

## Sources and Method for the #12 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**: compiled
- **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 #12 Drill Bit

### What size is a #12 drill bit size?

A #12 drill bit is 0.1890 in (4.801 mm) in diameter.

### What is the metric equivalent of a #12 drill bit?

The closest metric drill to #12 (0.1890 in (4.801 mm)) is 4.8 mm at 0.1890 in (4.800 mm) — a difference of 0.0000 in.

### What fraction is a #12 drill bit?

#12 is 0.1890 in (4.801 mm), which is not itself a fractional size. The closest fractional drill is 3/16 at 0.1875 in (4.763 mm).

## Related pages

- Next size down (any series): [4.8 mm](https://shopmath.org/drills/metric/4-8mm.md) — 0.1890 in (4.800 mm)
- Next size up (any series): [#11](https://shopmath.org/drills/number/11.md) — 0.1910 in (4.851 mm)
- Previous in the number series: [#11](https://shopmath.org/drills/number/11.md)
- Next in the number series: [#13](https://shopmath.org/drills/number/13.md)
- All number sizes: [Number drill sizes](https://shopmath.org/drills/number.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/number/12) — data verified August 1, 2026. Reference data; verify against the governing standard before manufacture.*