SAE to metric conversion size chart

With the help of this SAE to metric conversion size chart, you’ll easily convert standard & inch to mm & cm. If you have a socket or wrench, you need to determine what it converts into. The size chart can help you determine the mm to SAE conversion, whether you’re converting from one to the other. Check out the SAE size chart below. It allows you to easily jump between standard, metric, inches & feet!

Summary

The SAE to metric conversion size chart below is the easiest way to convert standard & inch measurements to mm & cm. For instance, you can see the following in the chart:

  • 1 1/8 converts to a 28.575 mm socket.
  • 7mm falls in between and converts to a 1/4 or 9/32 standard.
  • 8mm falls in between and converts to a 5/16 or 11/32 standard.

Table of Contents

SAE to metric conversion size chart

With SAE & metric screw size chart, you’ll be out doing your various projects in no time. Make sure you get the right socket size and wrench! This wrench conversion chart helps you find out the differences. You can easily look up the fractions for socket wrenches to find their diameter and equivalents.

Standard (SAE)Metric (mm)Metric (cm)InchFeet
1/320.793750.0793750.03130.003
 10.10.03940.003
 1.20.120.04720.004
 1.50.150.05910.005
1/161.58750.158750.06250.005
2/321.58750.158750.06250.005
4/641.58750.158750.06250.005
 1.80.180.07090.006
5/641.9843750.19843750.07810.007
 20.20.07870.007
3/322.381250.2381250.09380.008
 2.50.250.09840.008
7/642.7781250.27781250.10940.009
 30.30.11810.01
1/83.1750.31750.1250.01
 3.20.320.1260.01
 3.50.350.13780.011
5/323.968750.3968750.15630.013
 40.40.15750.013
11/644.3656250.43656250.17190.014
 4.50.450.17720.015
3/164.76250.476250.18750.016
 50.50.19690.016
13/645.1593750.51593750.20310.017
 5.50.550.21650.018
7/325.556250.5556250.21880.018
15/645.9531250.59531250.23440.02
 60.60.23620.02
1/46.350.6350.250.021
 6.50.650.25590.021
 70.70.27560.023
9/327.143750.7143750.28130.023
 7.50.750.29530.025
5/167.93750.793750.31250.026
 80.80.3150.026
 8.50.850.33460.028
11/328.731250.8731250.34380.029
 90.90.35430.03
 9.50.950.3740.031
3/89.5250.95250.3750.031
 1010.39370.033
13/3210.318751.0318750.40630.034
 111.10.43310.036
7/1611.11251.111250.43750.036
 121.20.47240.039
1/212.71.270.50.042
 131.30.51180.043
 141.40.55120.046
9/1614.28751.428750.56250.047
 151.50.59060.049
5/815.8751.58750.6250.052
 161.60.62990.052
 171.70.66930.056
11/1617.46251.746250.68750.057
 181.80.70870.059
 191.90.7480.062
3/419.051.9050.750.063
 2020.78740.066
13/1620.63752.063750.81250.068
 212.10.82680.069
 222.20.86610.072
7/822.2252.22250.8750.073
 232.30.90550.075
15/1623.81252.381250.93750.078
 242.40.94490.079
 252.50.98430.082
 25.42.5410.083
 262.61.02360.085
1 1/1626.98752.698751.06250.089
 272.71.0630.089
 282.81.10240.092
1 1/828.5752.85751.1250.094
 292.91.14170.095
 3031.18110.098
1 3/1630.16253.016251.18750.099
 313.11.22050.102
1 1/431.753.1751.250.104
 323.21.25980.105
 333.31.29920.108
1 5/1633.33753.333751.31250.109
 343.41.33860.112
1 3/834.9253.49251.3750.115
 353.51.3780.115
 363.61.41730.118
1 7/1636.51253.651251.43750.12
 373.71.45670.121
 383.81.49610.125
1 1/238.13.811.50.125
 393.91.53540.128
1 9/1639.68753.968751.56250.13
 4041.57480.131
 414.11.61420.135
1 5/841.2754.12751.6250.135
 424.21.65350.138
1 11/1642.86254.286251.68750.141
 434.31.69290.141
 444.41.73230.144
1 3/444.454.4451.750.146
 454.51.77170.148
 464.61.8110.151
 474.71.85040.154
1 7/847.6254.76251.8750.156
 484.81.88980.157
 494.91.92910.161
 5051.96850.164
 50.85.0820.167
 515.12.00790.167
 525.22.04720.171
 535.32.08660.174
2 1/853.9755.39752.1250.177
 545.42.1260.177
 555.52.16540.18
 565.62.20470.184
 575.72.24410.187
2 1/457.155.7152.250.187
 585.82.28350.19
 595.92.32280.194
 6062.36220.197
2 3/860.3256.03252.3750.198
 626.22.44090.203
 636.32.48030.207
2 1/2es63.56.352.50.208
 646.42.51970.21
 656.52.55910.213
 666.62.59840.217
2 5/866.6756.66752.6250.219
 676.72.63780.22
 686.82.67720.223
2 11/1668.26256.826252.68750.224
 696.92.71650.226
2 3/469.856.9852.750.229
 7072.75590.23
 727.22.83460.236
 737.32.8740.24
2 7/873.0257.30252.8750.24
 747.42.91340.243
 757.52.95280.246
 767.62.99210.249
 76.27.6230.25
 777.73.03150.253
 787.83.07090.256
3 1/879.3757.93753.1250.26
 8083.14960.262
 828.23.22830.269
 838.33.26770.272
 848.43.30710.276
 858.53.34650.279
 868.63.38580.282
 878.73.42520.285
 888.83.46460.289
3 1/288.98.893.50.292
 898.93.50390.292
 9093.54330.295
 929.23.6220.302
 959.53.74020.312
3 3/495.259.5253.750.312
 969.63.77950.315
 100103.9370.328
 101.610.1640.333
 10210.24.01580.335
 10510.54.13390.344
 110114.33070.361
 11211.24.40950.367
 11411.44.48820.374
 114.311.434.50.375
 11511.54.52760.377
 120124.72440.394
 120.6512.0654.750.396
 12512.54.92130.41
 12712.750.417
 12812.85.03940.42
 130135.11810.427
 133.3513.3355.250.438
 13513.55.3150.443
5 1/2139.713.975.50.458
 140145.51180.459
 14514.55.70870.476
 14814.85.82680.486
 150155.90550.492
 152.415.2460.5
 15515.56.10240.509
 15815.86.22050.518
 160166.29920.525
 16516.56.49610.541
 165.116.516.50.542
 170176.69290.558
 17517.56.88980.574
 177.817.7870.583
 180187.08660.591
 18518.57.28350.607
 190197.48030.623
 190.519.057.50.625
 19519.57.67720.64
 200207.8740.656
 20320.37.99210.666
 203.220.3280.667
 20520.58.07090.673
 210218.26770.689
 21521.58.46460.705
 215.921.598.50.708
 220228.66140.722
 22522.58.85830.738
 228.622.8690.75
 230239.05510.755
 23523.59.2520.771
 240249.44880.787
 241.324.139.50.792
 24524.59.64570.804
 250259.84250.82
 25425.4100.833
 25525.510.03940.837
 2602610.23620.853
 26526.510.43310.869
 266.726.6710.50.875
 2702710.62990.886
 27527.510.82680.902
 279.427.94110.917
 2802811.02360.919
 2902911.41730.951
 292.129.2111.50.958
 29729.711.69290.974
 3003011.8110.984
 304.830.48121
 30530.512.00791.001
 3103112.20471.017
 31531.512.40161.033
 3203212.59841.05
 3303312.99211.083
 330.233.02131.083
 3403413.38581.115
 3503513.77951.148
 355.635.56141.167
 3603614.17321.181
 3703714.56691.214
 3803814.96061.247
 38138.1151.25
 3903915.35431.28
 4004015.7481.312
 406.440.64161.333
 4104116.14171.345
 4204216.53541.378
 4304316.92911.411
 431.843.18171.417
 4404417.32281.444
 4504517.71651.476
 457.245.72181.5
 4604618.11021.509
 4704718.50391.542
 4804818.89761.575
 482.648.26191.583
 4904919.29131.608
 495.349.5319.51.625
 5005019.68511.64
 50850.8201.667
 5105120.07881.673
 5205220.47251.706
 5305320.86621.739
 533.453.34211.75
 5405421.25991.772
 546.154.6121.51.792
 5505521.65361.804
 558.855.88221.833
 5605622.04731.837
 5705722.4411.87
 571.557.1522.51.875
 5805822.83471.903
 584.258.42231.917
 5905923.22841.936
 6006023.62211.969
 609.660.96242
 6106124.01582.001
 6206224.40952.034
 6306324.80322.067
 63563.5252.083
 6406425.19692.1
 6506525.59062.133
 6606625.98432.165
 660.466.04262.167
 6706726.3782.198
 6806826.77172.231
 685.868.58272.25
 6906927.16542.264
 7007027.55912.297
 7107127.95282.329
 711.271.12282.333
 7207228.34652.362
 7307328.74022.395
 736.673.66292.417
 7407429.13392.428
 7507529.52762.461
 7607629.92132.493
 76276.2302.5
 7707730.3152.526
 7807830.70872.559
 787.478.74312.583
 7907931.10242.592
 8008031.49612.625
 8108131.88982.657
 812.881.28322.667
 8208232.28352.69
 8308332.67722.723
 838.283.82332.75
 8408433.07092.756
 8508533.46462.789
 8608633.85832.822
 863.686.36342.833
 8708734.2522.854
 8808834.64572.887
 88988.9352.917
 8908935.03942.92
 9009035.43312.953
 9109135.82682.986
 914.491.44363
 9209236.22053.018
 9309336.61423.051
 939.893.9837
 9409437.00793.084
 9509537.40163.117
 9609637.79533.15
 965.296.52383.167
 9709738.1893.182
 9809838.58273.215
 9909938.97643.248
 990.699.06393.25
 100010039.37013.281
 101010139.76383.314
 1016101.6403.333
 102010240.15753.346
 103010340.55123.379
 104010440.94493.412
 105010541.33863.445
 106010641.73233.478
 1066.8106.68423.5
 107010742.1263.51
 108010842.51973.543
 109010942.91343.576
 1092.2109.22433.583
 110011043.30713.609
 112011244.09453.675
 114011444.88193.74
 1143114.3453.75
 115011545.27563.773
 116011645.66933.806
 1168.4116.84463.833
 118011846.45673.871
 1193.8119.38473.917
 120012047.24413.937
 1219.2121.92484
 122012248.03154.003
 124012448.81894.068
 1244.6124.46494.083
 125012549.21264.101
 126012649.60634.134
 1270127504.167
 128012850.39374.199
 130013051.18114.265
 132013251.96854.331
 134013452.75594.396
 1346.2134.62534.417
 1371.6137.16544.5
 1397139.7554.583
 140014055.11814.593
 1422.4142.24564.667
 144014456.69294.724
 145014557.08664.757
 147014757.8744.823
 1473.2147.32584.833
 148014858.26774.856
 1498.6149.86594.917
 150015059.05524.921
 1524152.4605
 1549.4154.94615.083
 155015561.02375.085
 1574.8157.48625.167
 158015862.20485.184
 160016062.99225.249
 1600.2160.02635.25
 1625.6162.56645.333
 163016364.17335.348
 165016564.96075.413
 1651165.1655.417
 1676.4167.64665.5
 168016866.14185.512
 170017066.92925.577
 1701.8170.18675.583
 1727.2172.72685.667
 173017368.11035.676
 175017568.89775.741
 1750.06175.00668.95.742
 1752.6175.26695.75
 1778177.8705.833
 178017870.07885.84
 180018070.86625.906
 1803.4180.34715.917
 1828.8182.88726
 185018572.83476.07
 1854.2185.42736.083
 1879.6187.96746.167
 190019074.80326.234
 1905190.5756.25
 1981.2198.12786.5
 200020078.74026.562
 2032203.2806.667
 2057.4205.74816.75
 2082.8208.28826.833
 210021082.67726.89
 2108.2210.82836.917
 2133.6213.36847
 2159215.9857.083
 2184.4218.44867.167
 220022086.61427.218
 2209.8220.98877.25
 2235.2223.52887.333
 2260.6226.06897.417
 2286228.6907.5
 230023090.55127.546
 240024094.48827.874
 2438.4243.84968
 250025098.42538.202
 2616.2261.621038.583
 2667266.71058.75
 2717.8271.781078.917
 2743.2274.321089
 2794279.41109.167
 2844.8284.481129.333
 2921292.11159.583
 2946.4294.641169.667
 2997.2299.721189.833
 3000300118.11039.843
 3048304.812010
 3302330.213010.833
 3556355.614011.667
 381038115012.5
 4064406.416013.333
 4876.8487.6819216
 508050820016.667

Standard to metric conversion should hopefully be a breeze with the metric conversion table above!

With the dynamic society, we must have basic knowledge of the units of measurements used today, either SAE or metric. We are primarily conversant with only the system used in our home countries.

Conversion from SAE to the metric system is a tiring and grueling experience. Conversion charts are tables designed to help you easily switch from one to another without making any errors. Many people often complain that the charts in circulation are challenging to use; we decided to create and design one that you can quickly utilize.

wrenches

Do I need a table? This is a question that we often ask. We fail to realize that different items come in various measuring systems. The king-sized bed you use could be sold in inches while bedding is in centimeters; thus, having basic knowledge of the sizes will help you choose the right sized items. Placing your orders in online businesses requires prior knowledge of the goods needed to avoid costs incurred on returning.

Choosing the appropriate wrench size for basic repairs will also test your knowledge of the units. Their sizes could be written in millimeters, while nuts and bolts are inches. Our table will quickly help you navigate through such experiences.

SAE hex set

Have you ever traveled to a foreign country and found measuring volume units different from what you are used to? Maybe water sold in ounces or petrol in gallons? To refill enough gas for your car, conversion to volume units you are familiar with is vital. The evening news bulletin giving the price of crude oil in barrels. At the same time, we only understand liters necessitates a relevant chart.

It is advisable to have your work done to perfection. A task as easy as buying an electric cord for your house could leave you homeless! The reason for this being if you get the wrong one, it could lead to a fire that will burn down your house. Nonetheless, you can view an electrical cord guide here.

We have listed the SAE equivalents in millimeters and centimeters for your convenience. You’ll also find it in inches and even feet! Let’s take a closer look at all of these in detail.

Best devices to measure

Consider one of these gifts for yourself. There’s an easy standard-to-metric chart magnet to put on your fridge! This impact socket set makes switching between different sizes or the easy thread identifier.

Name
Magnet chart
Thread Detective
Universal socket set
Picture
Standard to Metric Conversion Chart Magnet by Magnet America Is 10.75" x 3.5" Made for Refrigerators Or Any Magnetic Receptive Materials
Thread Detective/Thread Identifier Mini Metric and SAE/Inch Set
CASOMAN 3/8" Drive Impact Socket Set, 48 Piece Standard SAE and Metric Sizes (5/16-Inch to 3/4-Inch and 8-22 mm), 6 Point, Cr-V Steel Socket Set
What we love
Great, cheap magnet to put on a fridge.
Easy tool to identify the right thread.
Great socket set to upgrade your tool set.
Name
Magnet chart
Picture
Standard to Metric Conversion Chart Magnet by Magnet America Is 10.75" x 3.5" Made for Refrigerators Or Any Magnetic Receptive Materials
What we love
Great, cheap magnet to put on a fridge.
Name
Thread Detective
Picture
Thread Detective/Thread Identifier Mini Metric and SAE/Inch Set
What we love
Easy tool to identify the right thread.
Name
Universal socket set
Picture
CASOMAN 3/8" Drive Impact Socket Set, 48 Piece Standard SAE and Metric Sizes (5/16-Inch to 3/4-Inch and 8-22 mm), 6 Point, Cr-V Steel Socket Set
What we love
Great socket set to upgrade your tool set.

Thread Detective

When you need to figure out the right metric or SAE size, the thread detective can help you out. Here’s some more information on it.

NameThread Detective
BrandYalu&Freedom
Item Weight‎5.8 ounces
Product Dimensions‎5 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches

Pros

  • It’s very easy to use.
  • Find the right thread in less than 30 seconds.
  • Laser-etched numbers indicating sizing

Cons

  • We wish the female testers would spin as it would make them easier to use.
  • It’s a premium set that’s a bit more expensive than alternatives.
Yalu&Freedom
Here's a great thread detective.

Conversion chart

Here’s a great magnet to put on the fridge.

NameMagnet
BrandMagnet America
ForFridges & metal surfaces
Item Weight0.493 ounces
Made inNC
Package Dimensions10.5 x 3.6 x 0.01 inches

Pros

  • It’s cheap.
  • It’s easy to use.
  • It can be placed on a bunch of surfaces in the garage.

Cons

  • You won’t have to come back to this website when you get the magnet.
  • Your wife may not want this magnet on the fridge.
  • It doesn’t have the depth that the chart on this page have.
Magnet
Put it on the fridge.

What is SAE, Or Standard?

tool chest

SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers and is now known as SAE International. It’s the organization that standardized the units for ease of usage. The organization has a membership of over 128,000 worldwide. It’s responsible for advancing and setting standards in the engineering space. SAE has set standards for measurement that are not only followed by most of North America’s construction and automotive industry. They have also made the engineering and production aspect a piece of cake.

Units of measurement are a medium of communication. The standard size lengths were needed to enhance accuracy. The Roman Empire initially developed the system where one foot was generally the length of a human being. An inch was the width of a thumb, on the other hand.

SAE International took these basic units one step further and developed the evolved SAE measurement system. It continues to spread other technical information and set North American standards in the construction and auto industry. It does so through forums, magazines, journals, and periodicals.

wrench set

It is mainly used in the UD and formerly in the UK. In the UK, it is referred to as the Imperial system. Other countries adopted another method of measurement, metric. Thereby, they left the two countries as the system’s primary users. Units of division in this system are in eighths and twelfths. With these scale graduations, it becomes tough to read the scale.

SAE units are also granted the label of UD Customary Units (USCS). It indicates the official unit used in the USA is not the same as the Metric system. It is also incompatible with the British Imperial system. It is a common mistake to use the Imperial system and SAE interchangeably as they are different systems.

They were used during the USA’s Industrial Revolution, thus cementing their use. The manufacturing and construction industry adapted its use as the accepted standard. You can use our metric-to-standard conversion tables to get the units you need for your project.

Pros of SAE system / Imperial units

  • Often easier to use fractions as this system employs
  • Great for daily use
  • Easier to understand than the metric system.
  • The names are easier to remember than confusing prefixes like liter and meter.

Cons

  • Conversions are more difficult than the metric system.

Now let us take a closer look at the metric system used in other parts of Europe and some parts of Asia and Africa.

Now you know how to do metric to SAE conversions.

What is the Metric System?

It is a measurement system developed in the 18th century after the French Revolution. It is a measurement system with meter, liter, and gram as the standard. It’s used for length, volume, and mass. You will most certainly realize this model of representing lengths is the most common globally.

Units of measurements are subdivided into tenths, making the reading of this scale much easier than the other systems. The most common engineering level of the scale is the millimeter (mm). It is easier to read. Being the smallest, it can represent any length.

What makes the system most resourceful is the ability to be intuitive and interconnected. For instance, 1 liter of water will weigh 1 kg.

Thanks to its convenient measurement method and Napoleon’s triumphs, this system spread far and wide. Great Britain also accepted some metric units over the British Imperial system. The older generations in Britain may still use the older Imperial method. The youngsters prefer their kilograms and millimeters.

Pros of the Metric System

  • Using prefixes like meter and kilo makes the conversion and comprehension process simpler.
  • Metric units can be as precise as you need them to be. For instance, you can use mg instead of grams when the item is smaller.
  • This system has simplicity due to fewer number of units to reduce confusion.

Cons

  • Due to fewer units, it can be difficult to apply in many places. For instance, cooking often turns to teaspoons and tablespoons because grams are too small and kilograms are too huge of a unit.

What are millimeters and centimeters used for?

Both Millimeters(mm) and centimeters(cm) are part of the metric system. While mm is a unit of length, cm can be used for both length and area. One mm is 0.1cm and one cm is 10mm. Since mm is the smaller unit, it denotes the very small but visible lengths and distances. For instance, the thickness of a wire or the length of your nail.

On the other hand, a centimeter is a larger unit and is roughly the 100th part of a meter. It can be used to measure the size of medium-range objects. It’s great for the distance between two points in the vicinity. Where larger distances are involved, the meter is chosen over the centimeter.

SAE vs. METRIC

Here’s what you need to know when it comes to the whole debate of SAE (standard) vs. metric.

SAE was incorporated into the whole automotive industry, although it took time. In the beginning, the standard was only used for vehicles. However, they are currently utilized in all modes of transport. Airplanes and boats adapted the system to become the preferred means of measurement. It happened when SAE changed from Society of Automobile Engineers to Society of Automotive Engineers.

The metric system is more prevalent in other countries. Major vehicle manufacturing hubs such as Japan and Germany use this mode. We now have vehicles with nuts and bolts in the metric system, which led to SAE sizes and metric-sized wrenches development.

It means if you’re an engineer looking to work on foreign cars made by companies like Nissan or Kia, you’re going to be buying metric equipment. But if you’re only looking at the domestic market, then you’re good to go with SAE sockets.

Nowadays, another innovation is also becoming more and more popular. Due to rising production costs in the USA, their big vehicle manufacturing companies source parts in other countries. The trend has led to vehicles having different components with different measuring systems. You can find the engine and its members in the metric system while the rest of the car is in SAE. It has given rise to the need for universal wrenches.

Repairs now require high-precision tools such as plasma glass cutters which accurately cut whatever component you need. MIG welders are also used for simple welding jobs. With vehicles now considered expensive investments, choosing the perfect wires for repairs requires an expert opinion.

Compared to the Imperial System

For imperial vs. metric, take a look at this section to understand the two better.

tape measurer

An Imperial system is a form of older standardizations that have given way to more logical and thoughtful designs. It was mainly used in the UK. One foot was subdivided into twelve units or inches. Formerly it was equal to 11.6 inches. We can now quickly and comfortably represent inches as a foot or vice versa. The monarch made all these changes in ancient times, hence the Imperial.

SAE wrench set

The UK transitioned over later on, however. It was necessitated by the need to have a standard unit globally. After the French Revolution, the French developed the metric system. Napoleon’s conquests led to its acceptance in other lands.

It is the current base International System of Units (SI) for length. If you use or understand both the metric and imperial system, you will find the former easier to use.

screwdriver on a white background

SI Units

These universal units of measurements were agreed on to reduce confusion with data representation. With these, scientists can easily discuss their findings globally. An engineer can design a car in Germany and send the design to China, where it will be manufactured to the exact length.

Preparing various tools of different sizes for motor vehicles needs high-quality lathe machines. We have prepared a list of high-precision and easy-to-use lathe machines. They will give you the best quality for your money with medium-sized lathes which can fit in your garage.

nut driver set

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Passion Plans
Logo
Login/Register access is temporary disabled