Beam Type Torque Wrench
Dial Type Torque Wrench
Digital Clicker Style Torque Wrench

EZ Read Hex Bolt Torque Chart - Inch


Pretty much self explanatory. These values are from the Fastenall PDF on bolts and fasteners. If you poke around the web you will see many different values for bolt torques. They are all pretty close and here is yet another with the exception that it's bigger and easier to read. These charts are for Hex Bolts, generally the socket heads are a higher torque number if a good quality socket head bolt.

Dry vs. Lubricated bolt torque? Yes a big difference since you not counting the friction of a dry bolt thread as final torque. For ARP and other performance bolts check their specs with their specific type of lube as it will make a difference. Plated bolts require less torque then unplated, again the inherent lubrication of the plating helps reduce the friction. The chart below is for standard chromate plated bolts which is typically what you get.

Get a good torque wrench! NOT some POS import for 5 bucks. You can get them in several styles, Clicker, Digital, Beam Pointer, Gauge, and slightly different style angle. You application will determine which type you might like to use. For example head bolts I like the clicker style. For Inch/Lbs torque range I like the gauge.

And don't forget that fine thread bolts usually have a bit more meat in the bolt due to smaller threads and as such will have a higher torque rating.

Any bolt that is suspect or has been over torqued should be tossed out, especially if it's a 'mission critical' bolt, such as brake caliper, steering, etc.

Lastly it's important to have clean thread on both ends, so if you are putting head bolts into a block, good idea to run a tap to make sure threads are clean.

Need a EZ to read Metric Torque Chart? Then click -  EZ Read Metric Bolt Chart


Disclaimer - USE AT YOUR OWN RISK
Bolt Size Hex Cap Plated - Recommended Torque in Ft/Lbs unless noted
Grade 2 Grade 5 Grade 8
Coarse Fine Coarse Fine Coarse Fine
Lube Dry Lube Dry Lube Dry Lube Dry Lube Dry Lube Dry
1/4 (In/Lbs) 49 58 56 68 76 91 87 104 107 129 123 147
5/16 8 10 9 11 13 16 14 17 19 22 21 24
3/8 15 18 17 20 23 28 26 31 33 39 37 44
7/16 24 29 27 32 37 44 41 50 52 63 58 70
1/2 37 44 41 49 57 68 64 76 80 96 90 108
5/8 73 87 82 99 113 135 127 153 159 191 180 216
3/4 129 155 144 173 200 240 223 267 282 339 315 378
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EZ Read Inch Bolt Torque Chart
Above - chart in HTML format (you can copy and past), Below is the same chart as a .GIF IMAGE