Status : Book Study

A fine imperial unit of measurement equal to 0.0625 inches (1.5875 mm), serving as the standard working unit for high-precision layout, fine tolerance gaps, and thin-kerf blade cuts in woodworking.

Note for Metric Woodworkers: In metric workshops across Europe and the UK, this measurement is typically rounded to 1.5mm.

My Workbench Note: First Impression

If you watch US woodworking content, 1/16″ is the fractional measurement you’ll encounter most – including that of Paul Sellers. At roughly 1.6 mm, it serves as the baseline tolerance for rough cuts, cabinet reveals, and standard blade adjustments. For a metric-native brain used to single milli meters, dealing with sixteenths takes a moment of mental translation, but it is effectively the universal building block of imperial joinery.

Quick beginner takeaways

• Metric Anchor: 1/16″ equals precisely 1.5875 mm—just a hair over 1.5 mm.

• Bench Tip: When translating imperial plans onto a metric bench, treat 1/16″ as 1.5 mm. It keeps your layout math straightforward without sacrificing practical accuracy.

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