#7 Wood Screw Pilot Hole — 3/32"
A #7 wood screw needs a 3/32" pilot hole. Hardwood may require a larger pilot hole to prevent splitting.
Result
Answer
3/32" drill bit
Standard
Screw Gauge#7
Shaft Diameter0.151"
Pilot Hole (softwood)3/32"
Pilot Hole (hardwood)7/64"
Clearance Hole5/32"
A #7 wood screw (0.151" shaft) needs a 3/32" pilot hole in softwood or 7/64" in hardwood. Clearance hole is 5/32". General-purpose wood screws.
Note
Showing softwood pilot hole size by default. Hardwood requires a larger pilot hole to prevent splitting.
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About #7 Wood Screw Pilot Holes
A #7 wood screw has a shaft diameter of 0.151". In softwood (pine, cedar, spruce), drill a 3/32" pilot hole. In hardwood (oak, maple, cherry), use a 7/64" pilot hole to prevent splitting. The clearance hole for a #7 screw is 5/32". General-purpose wood screws. Always drill a pilot hole in hardwood to avoid splitting and ensure the screw draws the joint tight.