What size drill bit do I use for a 1/8 inch rivet?

A 1/8 inch blind rivet usually uses a #30 drill bit or a 3.3 mm drill, depending on the rivet maker's hole tolerance.

What is a 3/16 inch rivet in millimeters?

A 3/16 inch rivet body diameter is 0.1875 inch, which is 4.76 mm. Many metric charts round this to about 4.8 mm.

How do I choose blind rivet length?

Measure the total thickness of the materials being joined, then choose a rivet with a grip range that covers that thickness. The calculator gives a starting length estimate, but the manufacturer's grip chart is the final reference.

Workshop size converter

Rivet Size Converter

Convert blind rivet and pop rivet sizes between fractional inches and millimeters, then check the usual clearance drill and a practical starting length from your material thickness.

Convert a rivet size

Choose a rivet diameter, or enter a custom diameter and material grip. Results update instantly.

Input type Rivet diameter Total material thickness / grip Enter inches, such as 0.125 for 1/8 in.

Closest common rivet 1/8 in rivet

Common blind rivet body diameter.

Diameter 0.125 in / 3.18 mm

Usual drill size #30 / 3.3 mm

A 1/8 in blind rivet is 0.125 in or 3.18 mm body diameter. For 0.125 in grip, start around 1/4 in rivet length if the manufacturer's chart agrees.

How blind rivet sizes work

Blind rivets are commonly named by body diameter, such as 1/8 in, 5/32 in, or 3/16 in. Metric charts often show the same sizes rounded to values like 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, and 4.8 mm.

The hole normally needs a small clearance above the rivet body diameter. Use the drill size below as a practical starting point, then check the rivet manufacturer's datasheet for the exact hole range.

Choosing rivet length from grip

Grip is the total thickness of the pieces being fastened. A quick workshop estimate is material grip plus about 1.5 × rivet diameter for blind rivets, rounded up to the next common length.

This is only a sizing aid. If the joint matters structurally, match material, mandrel type, head style, hole size, and the published grip range.

Common blind rivet size chart

Rivet size	Decimal inches	Millimeters	Usual drill	Typical use

Rivet size FAQ

What size is a 5/32 rivet in mm?

A 5/32 inch rivet is 0.15625 inch, which converts to 3.97 mm. It is commonly rounded to 4.0 mm in metric charts.

What drill bit is close for a 3/16 rivet?

A 3/16 inch blind rivet commonly uses a #11 drill bit or about 4.9 mm, but the exact hole range depends on the rivet style and manufacturer.

Are pop rivets and blind rivets sized the same way?

In everyday workshop use, pop rivets are blind rivets and are usually described by body diameter and grip range. Brand, material, head style, and mandrel type can still change the exact installation specs.