Drill Breakthrough Calculator

DRILLING

Drill breakthrough calculator finds the extra depth allowance needed for a drill’s conical point to fully break through material, based on drill diameter and point angle.

Breakthrough / Point Length Allowance—
Allowance = (Diameter / 2) / tan(Point Angle / 2). Add this to material thickness for total programmed drill depth.

How it works

A twist drill’s tip is conical, so it doesn’t cut a flat-bottomed hole; the point continues past the nominal material thickness before breaking all the way through the back face. This allowance, added to material thickness, prevents programming a hole that stops just short of breaking through.

FAQ

Do I need this allowance for a blind hole? No. Breakthrough allowance only matters for through-holes. For blind holes, the point’s conical shape still affects the hole’s bottom geometry, but there’s no back face to break through, so this addition doesn’t apply.

Related Guides

CNC Calculators · Through-Hole Drill Depth Calculator · Spot Drill Depth Calculator

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The calculators and tools on Formula Factory are provided for general guidance and informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on standard formulas and the values you enter — they do not constitute professional engineering, electrical, or architectural advice. Always verify calculations with a qualified professional before making decisions for any safety-critical, code-compliance, or commercial application. Formula Factory makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any result, and accepts no liability for errors, omissions, or any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.