Structural & Mechanical Calculators

Tightening Torque Calculator

Metric screw joints — ISO 724 (DIN 13 T1). Tightening torque to a chosen initial tensile stress.

User inputs

90%

Dry: 0.14–0.20 · Oiled: 0.08–0.14 · MoS2: 0.04–0.08

Usually equal to or slightly higher than μthread

Thread & material parameters (ISO 724)

Thread geometry
Nominal diameter d
Pitch P
Pitch diameter d2
Root diameter d3
Mean stress dia. dm
Tensile stress area At
At calc. check (π/4·dm²)
Material properties & stress goals
Strength class
Ultimate tensile str. Rm
Yield strength Rp0.2
Applied stress fraction σt
Tensile stress σt
Thread friction μthread
Head friction μhead

Key results

Tightening torque (MA = MG + MWD)
Initial preload (Fi = σt × At)
Load at yield (F0.2 = Rp0.2 × At)
Load reserve (Pb = F0.2 − Fi)
Von Mises equiv. stress (σe = √(σt² + 3τ²))

Stress & torque breakdown

Parameter Value Unit Notes / formula
Thread friction torque MG N·m Torque to overcome helical thread friction
Head/face friction torque MWD N·m MWD = Fi × μhead × 1.3 × d/2
Total tightening torque MA N·m MA = MG + MWD
Torsional stress τ MPa τ = MG / (π/16 × d3³) — relaxes after tightening
Tensile stress σt MPa σt = σt′ × Rp0.2
Von Mises equiv. stress σe MPa σe = √(σt² + 3τ²)
Yield strength Rp0.2 MPa σe must stay ≤ Rp0.2
Utilisation σe / Rp0.2 =

(1) Torsional stress relaxes after tightening — only tensile stress remains in service.

(2) Equivalent stress must stay ≤ Rp0.2.