Overview
EN 25967:1989 (identical to ISO 5967:1981) is a vocabulary and nomenclature standard for taps and thread cutting. It defines the names and terminology for the main types of taps, styles of the threaded portion, sets of taps, dimensional characteristics and thread profiles. Terms are given in ISO’s three official languages (English, French and Russian) and - at the request of ISO/TC 29 - equivalent terms in German and Italian. Diagrams illustrate the terminology, while numbered symbols identify dimensional characteristics; diagrams are illustrative only since tap design can vary by manufacturer.
Key topics
- Nomenclature of main tap types
- Short machine taps and hand taps
- Long-shank machine taps
- Taps for automatic machines (including bent-shank styles)
- Shell (hollow) taps
- Tapered/conical taps
- Styles of threaded portion
- Bottoming, plug and taper styles (examples include chamfer lengths such as 1–3, >3–5, 7–10, 12–16 pitches)
- Fluted, spiral-fluted, spiral-point, and fluteless (thread-forming) designs
- Dimensional characteristics and symbols
- Standardized symbols opposite certain terms to identify key dimensions of taps and threaded portions
- Thread profile and profile terminology
- Vocabulary to describe thread forms used on tapered and cylindrical taps
- Illustrative diagrams
- Visual references to support consistent use of terms (not prescriptive for design)
Applications
EN 25967 / ISO 5967 is a practical reference for:
- Manufacturers of taps and tooling - to label products, prepare data sheets and avoid ambiguous terminology
- Purchasing and procurement - to specify tap types and styles unambiguously in orders and contracts
- Design and manufacturing engineers - to communicate thread-making requirements and select appropriate tap sets
- Quality, inspection and technical documentation teams - to interpret drawings, dimensional symbols and thread profiles consistently
- Training and standards alignment - to teach consistent vocabulary across multilingual teams
Using this standard reduces miscommunication between designers, toolmakers and buyers and helps ensure correct tap selection for machining and thread-forming operations.
Related standards
- ISO 529 - Short machine taps and hand taps
- ISO 2283 - Long-shank machine taps
- ISO 2284 - Hand taps for pipe threads (dimensions/marking)
- ISO 2857 - Ground thread taps for ISO metric threads (manufacturing tolerances)
- ISO 3002/1 - Geometry of the active part of cutting tools (terms and reference systems)
Keywords: taps and thread cutting, nomenclature, tap types, thread profiles, dimensional characteristics, ISO 5967, EN 25967, tap users, manufacturers, tooling standards.
