{ "version": "2026-10-20", "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.", "slug": "camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27", "name": "Camera and mic mounts: ISO 518 cold shoe (18.6 mm), Arca-Swiss dovetail (38 mm, 45 degrees), 5/8-27 mic-stand thread + thread files", "kind": "standard", "category": "Hardware", "group": "Mounting standards", "year": null, "question": "How wide is a cold shoe and an Arca-Swiss dovetail, and what is the 5/8-27 microphone stand thread?", "tags": [ "cold shoe", "hot shoe", "iso 518", "arca-swiss", "dovetail", "mic stand thread", "5/8-27", "camera mount", "accessory shoe", "microphone clip" ], "aliases": [ "iso 518 hot shoe dimensions", "cold shoe width 18.6 mm", "arca swiss dovetail width 38 mm", "arca swiss 45 degree dovetail", "5/8-27 mic stand thread size", "microphone stand thread 5/8 27 vs 3/8 16", "accessory shoe dimensions mm", "hot shoe foot size", "arca swiss clamp width", "5/8-27 thread major diameter mm", "mic clip thread stl", "5/8 27 thread pitch mm" ], "overall_mm": { "length": 19.88, "width": 19.88, "height": 7.53 }, "official_cad": false, "xem_status": "free-files", "les": false, "free_files": 2, "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/", "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/sheet.txt", "sheet": { "basis": "Wikipedia's hot-shoe article and the ISO 518:2006 sample pages for the shoe; Acratech, RRS, Kasson, Leofoto and AstroPix for the dovetail width; Musicalhow for the mic thread; two thread files at the Unified basic profile", "overall_mm": { "length": 19.88, "width": 19.88, "height": 7.53 }, "notes": [ "ISO 518 (accessory shoe): the standard's basic dimensions are in Figures 1 and 2, which are images in the paywalled standard, so the shoe profile is not drawn. What is readable is the internal size 18.6 (+0.2/-0) x 16.0 (+3/-2) x 2 (+0.15/-0) mm, the 12.5 mm tooth spacing (Wikipedia) and the clearance areas A, B and C and the Ø5 mm contact (sample pages of the standard). A 'cold shoe' is the same mechanical shoe without the centre contact.", "Arca-Swiss style dovetail: width 38 mm and a 45 degree flank are what the sources agree on. Depth and tolerance are not published, makers' plates measure 38.0 to 38.75 mm (AstroPix), and clamps accept a range; RRS gives a 35 mm base. A fully dimensioned dovetail profile is therefore not available and no profile file is drawn; use your clamp's jaw width and test-fit.", "5/8-27 microphone-stand thread: 5/8 in major diameter, 27 threads per inch, described as a unified special thread. Pitch is 25.4 / 27 = 0.9407 mm and the files are drawn at the Unified 60 degree basic profile (H = 0.866025 P, crest flat P/8, root flat P/4), the same method as the lens-thread files. No class or limits for the 5/8-27 were found, so the files are the maximum-material basic shape; add your process allowance on the flanks. The male ring has a bore of Ø10.86 mm and the female ring an outside Ø19.88 mm (wall 2 mm is a design choice); both are 8 turns long.", "Left out: the NATO accessory rail (STANAG 4694) because no page with its dimensions could be read; Picatinny / MIL-STD-1913 is on picatinny-rail-mil-std-1913. Microphone stand adapters between 5/8-27 and 3/8-16 exist (Musicalhow, retailers); their dimensions were not tabulated.", "Maker CAD: Really Right Stuff, Leofoto and Neutrik publish drawings per product; none of the pages read carried a rail or shoe drawing as numbers, so none is linked." ], "table": { "columns": [ "item", "value as published", "source", "note" ], "rows": [ [ "ISO 518 camera accessory shoe (cold shoe), internal size", "18.6 (+0.2/-0) x 16.0 (+3/-2) x 2 (+0.15/-0) mm", "Wikipedia 'Hot shoe' (cites ISO 518:2006)", "three dimensions in the order printed; the article does not name them" ], [ "ISO 518, spacing between the two teeth", "12.5 (+0.4/-0) mm", "Wikipedia 'Hot shoe'", "" ], [ "ISO 518 clearance area A (rectangular, Figure 3)", "12.5 mm in front, 25.0 mm at the back of the shoe; 25.0 mm to the right and left of the centre; nothing higher than 2.0 mm above the top surface", "ISO 518:2006 sample pages (iTeh)", "text of the standard, not an image" ], [ "ISO 518 clearance area B (circular)", "diameter 30.0 mm", "ISO 518:2006 sample pages", "" ], [ "ISO 518 area C (foot insertion)", "extends 25.0 mm from the back of the shoe, 20.0 mm wide", "ISO 518:2006 sample pages", "" ], [ "ISO 518 centre contact; insulation", "contact surface Ø5 mm (Figure 1); insulation resistance not less than 30 MOhm at 0 to 40 C", "ISO 518:2006 sample pages", "the shoe's basic dimensions are in Figures 1 and 2, which are images" ], [ "Arca-Swiss dovetail, plate width", "38 mm (1 1/2 in); 38.1 mm in two reader sources; Leofoto 'a consistent 38 mm (1.50 in) width'", "Acratech, The Last Word, Leofoto, AstroPix", "AstroPix measured plates at 38.0, 38.05, 38.1, 38.15 and 38.75 mm" ], [ "Arca-Swiss dovetail, angle", "45 degrees", "Acratech; RRS", "stated as 'the Arca-Swiss style dovetail is 45 degrees'" ], [ "RRS dovetail, base width", "35 mm (about 1.38 in) wide base", "Really Right Stuff", "RRS calls its product 'RRS 1.5 in Dovetail Standard'; the page does not say what 1.5 in measures, so it is not equated with the 38 mm width" ], [ "Arca-Swiss dovetail, depth and tolerance", "not published", "RRS, Acratech, Kasson, photomacrography.net", "readers describe depth as the distance between the dovetail faces' meeting lines but give no value" ], [ "Microphone stand thread, large", "5/8-27 ('unified special thread'); major Ø 15.875 mm (5/8 in); pitch 25.4 / 27 = 0.9407 mm", "Musicalhow (name); diameter and pitch from the designation", "a reader measured an old stand at 0.622 in outside diameter (not used)" ], [ "Microphone stand thread, small", "3/8-16; 1/4-20 on camera gear", "Musicalhow", "3/8-16 and 1/4-20 bosses are on camera-thread-bosses-1-4-20" ], [ "5/8-27 files (Xem-drawn)", "major Ø15.875, pitch Ø15.264, minor Ø14.857, pitch 0.9407, 7.53 long", "Unified basic profile (ISO 68-1 / ASME B1.1)", "limits and class of the 5/8-27 are not published in the sources read; the files are the basic profile" ] ] } }, "sheet_text": "Camera and mic mounts: ISO 518 cold shoe (18.6 mm), Arca-Swiss dovetail (38 mm, 45 degrees), 5/8-27 mic-stand thread + thread files — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/ (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)\nBasis: Wikipedia's hot-shoe article and the ISO 518:2006 sample pages for the shoe; Acratech, RRS, Kasson, Leofoto and AstroPix for the dovetail width; Musicalhow for the mic thread; two thread files at the Unified basic profile\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nOverall (mm): length 19.88, width 19.88, height 7.53\n- ISO 518 (accessory shoe): the standard's basic dimensions are in Figures 1 and 2, which are images in the paywalled standard, so the shoe profile is not drawn. What is readable is the internal size 18.6 (+0.2/-0) x 16.0 (+3/-2) x 2 (+0.15/-0) mm, the 12.5 mm tooth spacing (Wikipedia) and the clearance areas A, B and C and the Ø5 mm contact (sample pages of the standard). A 'cold shoe' is the same mechanical shoe without the centre contact.\n- Arca-Swiss style dovetail: width 38 mm and a 45 degree flank are what the sources agree on. Depth and tolerance are not published, makers' plates measure 38.0 to 38.75 mm (AstroPix), and clamps accept a range; RRS gives a 35 mm base. A fully dimensioned dovetail profile is therefore not available and no profile file is drawn; use your clamp's jaw width and test-fit.\n- 5/8-27 microphone-stand thread: 5/8 in major diameter, 27 threads per inch, described as a unified special thread. Pitch is 25.4 / 27 = 0.9407 mm and the files are drawn at the Unified 60 degree basic profile (H = 0.866025 P, crest flat P/8, root flat P/4), the same method as the lens-thread files. No class or limits for the 5/8-27 were found, so the files are the maximum-material basic shape; add your process allowance on the flanks. The male ring has a bore of Ø10.86 mm and the female ring an outside Ø19.88 mm (wall 2 mm is a design choice); both are 8 turns long.\n- Left out: the NATO accessory rail (STANAG 4694) because no page with its dimensions could be read; Picatinny / MIL-STD-1913 is on picatinny-rail-mil-std-1913. Microphone stand adapters between 5/8-27 and 3/8-16 exist (Musicalhow, retailers); their dimensions were not tabulated.\n- Maker CAD: Really Right Stuff, Leofoto and Neutrik publish drawings per product; none of the pages read carried a rail or shoe drawing as numbers, so none is linked.\n\nitem value as published source note\nISO 518 camera accessory shoe (cold shoe), internal size 18.6 (+0.2/-0) x 16.0 (+3/-2) x 2 (+0.15/-0) mm Wikipedia 'Hot shoe' (cites ISO 518:2006) three dimensions in the order printed; the article does not name them\nISO 518, spacing between the two teeth 12.5 (+0.4/-0) mm Wikipedia 'Hot shoe' \nISO 518 clearance area A (rectangular, Figure 3) 12.5 mm in front, 25.0 mm at the back of the shoe; 25.0 mm to the right and left of the centre; nothing higher than 2.0 mm above the top surface ISO 518:2006 sample pages (iTeh) text of the standard, not an image\nISO 518 clearance area B (circular) diameter 30.0 mm ISO 518:2006 sample pages \nISO 518 area C (foot insertion) extends 25.0 mm from the back of the shoe, 20.0 mm wide ISO 518:2006 sample pages \nISO 518 centre contact; insulation contact surface Ø5 mm (Figure 1); insulation resistance not less than 30 MOhm at 0 to 40 C ISO 518:2006 sample pages the shoe's basic dimensions are in Figures 1 and 2, which are images\nArca-Swiss dovetail, plate width 38 mm (1 1/2 in); 38.1 mm in two reader sources; Leofoto 'a consistent 38 mm (1.50 in) width' Acratech, The Last Word, Leofoto, AstroPix AstroPix measured plates at 38.0, 38.05, 38.1, 38.15 and 38.75 mm\nArca-Swiss dovetail, angle 45 degrees Acratech; RRS stated as 'the Arca-Swiss style dovetail is 45 degrees'\nRRS dovetail, base width 35 mm (about 1.38 in) wide base Really Right Stuff RRS calls its product 'RRS 1.5 in Dovetail Standard'; the page does not say what 1.5 in measures, so it is not equated with the 38 mm width\nArca-Swiss dovetail, depth and tolerance not published RRS, Acratech, Kasson, photomacrography.net readers describe depth as the distance between the dovetail faces' meeting lines but give no value\nMicrophone stand thread, large 5/8-27 ('unified special thread'); major Ø 15.875 mm (5/8 in); pitch 25.4 / 27 = 0.9407 mm Musicalhow (name); diameter and pitch from the designation a reader measured an old stand at 0.622 in outside diameter (not used)\nMicrophone stand thread, small 3/8-16; 1/4-20 on camera gear Musicalhow 3/8-16 and 1/4-20 bosses are on camera-thread-bosses-1-4-20\n5/8-27 files (Xem-drawn) major Ø15.875, pitch Ø15.264, minor Ø14.857, pitch 0.9407, 7.53 long Unified basic profile (ISO 68-1 / ASME B1.1) limits and class of the 5/8-27 are not published in the sources read; the files are the basic profile\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- Wikipedia: Hot shoe: ISO 518 internal dimensions 18.6 (+0.2/-0) x 16.0 (+3/-2) x 2 (+0.15/-0) mm; spacing between the two teeth 12.5 (+0.4/-0) mm — web — CC BY-SA 4.0 (text); dimensions are facts — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_shoe\n- iTeh Standards (ISO 518:2006 sample pages): ISO 518:2006 camera accessory shoes: clearance areas A, B, C and contact in the text; Figure 1 and 2 dimensions are images — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/36330/0f7a221b5b7647cc972f7403f522191a/ISO-518-2006.pdf\n- Acratech: Arca-Swiss vs Bogen / Manfrotto plates: Arca-Swiss style dovetail is 45 degrees, plate 1 1/2 in (38 mm) wide — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.acratech.net/blog/arca-swiss-vs-bogen-manfrotto-camera-plates/\n- Really Right Stuff: What is the RRS dovetail standard: 45 degree dovetail, 35 mm (about 1.38 in) wide base on most plates; no depth or tolerance given — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://kb.reallyrightstuff.com/knowledge/what-is-the-rrs-dovetail-standard-1\n- The Last Word (Jim Kasson): Plate width 38.1 mm (1.5 in) matched to RRS spec in a reader comment; no angle, depth or jaw dimensions given — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://blog.kasson.com/?p=24422\n- Leofoto USA: BPL series Arca-type rails: 'a consistent 38mm (1.50 in) width' — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-bpl-series-arca-type-double-dovetail-rails\n- AstroPix: Dovetail sizes: Arca-Swiss 38 mm, measured plates 38.0 to 38.75 mm — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://astropix.com/wp/dovetail-sizes\n- Musicalhow: Microphone stand thread sizes: 5/8-27 unified special thread, 3/8-16, 1/4-20 — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.musicalhow.com/microphone-stand-thread-sizes/\n- Bureau of Indian Standards (via Public.Resource.Org): IS 4218 (Part 1):2001 ISO general purpose metric screw threads, basic profile (identical with ISO 68-1:1998): H = 0.866025404 P, 5H/8 = 0.541265877 P, 3H/8 = 0.324759526 P — web — Public.Resource.Org (public law); dimensions are facts — https://law.resource.org/pub/in/bis/S01/is.4218.1.2001.pdf\n- Wikipedia: Unified Thread Standard (ASME B1.1): same 60 degree basic profile as ISO 68-1 — web — CC BY-SA 4.0 (text); dimensions are facts — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Thread_Standard\n\nFree files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 2 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27\n", "sources": [ { "publisher": "Wikipedia", "title": "Hot shoe: ISO 518 internal dimensions 18.6 (+0.2/-0) x 16.0 (+3/-2) x 2 (+0.15/-0) mm; spacing between the two teeth 12.5 (+0.4/-0) mm", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_shoe", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0 (text); dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "iTeh Standards (ISO 518:2006 sample pages)", "title": "ISO 518:2006 camera accessory shoes: clearance areas A, B, C and contact in the text; Figure 1 and 2 dimensions are images", "url": "https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/36330/0f7a221b5b7647cc972f7403f522191a/ISO-518-2006.pdf", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "Acratech", "title": "Arca-Swiss vs Bogen / Manfrotto plates: Arca-Swiss style dovetail is 45 degrees, plate 1 1/2 in (38 mm) wide", "url": "https://www.acratech.net/blog/arca-swiss-vs-bogen-manfrotto-camera-plates/", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "Really Right Stuff", "title": "What is the RRS dovetail standard: 45 degree dovetail, 35 mm (about 1.38 in) wide base on most plates; no depth or tolerance given", "url": "https://kb.reallyrightstuff.com/knowledge/what-is-the-rrs-dovetail-standard-1", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "The Last Word (Jim Kasson)", "title": "Plate width 38.1 mm (1.5 in) matched to RRS spec in a reader comment; no angle, depth or jaw dimensions given", "url": "https://blog.kasson.com/?p=24422", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "Leofoto USA", "title": "BPL series Arca-type rails: 'a consistent 38mm (1.50 in) width'", "url": "https://leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-bpl-series-arca-type-double-dovetail-rails", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "AstroPix", "title": "Dovetail sizes: Arca-Swiss 38 mm, measured plates 38.0 to 38.75 mm", "url": "https://astropix.com/wp/dovetail-sizes", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "Musicalhow", "title": "Microphone stand thread sizes: 5/8-27 unified special thread, 3/8-16, 1/4-20", "url": "https://www.musicalhow.com/microphone-stand-thread-sizes/", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "Bureau of Indian Standards (via Public.Resource.Org)", "title": "IS 4218 (Part 1):2001 ISO general purpose metric screw threads, basic profile (identical with ISO 68-1:1998): H = 0.866025404 P, 5H/8 = 0.541265877 P, 3H/8 = 0.324759526 P", "url": "https://law.resource.org/pub/in/bis/S01/is.4218.1.2001.pdf", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Public.Resource.Org (public law); dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "Wikipedia", "title": "Unified Thread Standard (ASME B1.1): same 60 degree basic profile as ISO 68-1", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Thread_Standard", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0 (text); dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false } ], "xem": { "status": "free-files", "sheet_free": true, "mesh_price_usd": null, "step_price_usd": null, "tolerance_mm": null }, "related": [ "camera-thread-bosses-1-4-20", "lens-filter-threads", "picatinny-rail-mil-std-1913", "scope-dovetail-rails", "dji-mic-3-transmitter", "rode-podmic", "vesa-mount-patterns" ], "fits": [], "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no tolerance added)", "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no tolerance added. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn. Typical accuracy by process and ISO 286 fits: https://xemstudio.com/tolerances/", "mating": [ { "feature": "5/8-27 external thread (file mic-thread-5-8-27-male-ring)", "exact": "major Ø15.875, pitch Ø15.264, minor Ø14.857 mm, pitch 0.9407 mm, Unified basic profile", "mates": "5/8-27 internal thread of a microphone clip, holder or adapter (file mic-thread-5-8-27-female-ring)", "fit": "designed", "files": "mic-thread-5-8-27-male" }, { "feature": "5/8-27 internal thread (file mic-thread-5-8-27-female-ring)", "exact": "minor Ø14.857, pitch Ø15.264, major Ø15.875 mm, pitch 0.9407 mm, Unified basic profile", "mates": "5/8-27 male thread on a mic stand or boom (file mic-thread-5-8-27-male-ring)", "fit": "designed", "files": "mic-thread-5-8-27-female" } ], "fit_classes": { "press": "stays put: pin, tube, bearing or magnet held by interference. ISO 286 equivalent: H7/p6 (locational interference) or tighter.", "slide": "assembles by hand and is held by a grub, pinch or clamp: shaft in a hub, rod in a socket, spigot in a bore. ISO 286 equivalent: H7/g6 or H7/h6.", "run": "turns or slides in use: pin in a link, rod through a guide. ISO 286 equivalent: H8/f7 (close running).", "socket": "large sliding fit: syringe barrel, sleeve, bobbin in a bore. ISO 286 equivalent: H9/d9 (free running) or looser.", "clamp": "split part that closes on the mating part with screws: make it at size.", "designed": "a gap that is part of the design (piston fit option, displacer gap, air gap): do not change." }, "faq": [ { "q": "How wide is a cold shoe?", "a": "ISO 518 (via Wikipedia): the internal size is 18.6 (+0.2/-0) x 16.0 (+3/-2) x 2 (+0.15/-0) mm, tooth spacing 12.5 mm." }, { "q": "How wide is an Arca-Swiss plate?", "a": "38 mm (1 1/2 in) with a 45 degree dovetail; plates measure 38.0 to 38.75 mm in practice and RRS gives a 35 mm base. Depth is not published." }, { "q": "What is the 5/8-27 thread?", "a": "The large microphone-stand thread: 5/8 in (15.875 mm) major diameter, 27 threads per inch (0.9407 mm pitch); a unified special thread. The files draw it at the Unified basic profile." } ], "files_license": { "name": "Xem Studio Design License", "holder": "Xem Studio", "url": "https://xemstudio.com/license/", "note": "Xem Studio's own design: free to use, print, modify and sell things made from it; not to be republished or redistributed as files." }, "offers": [ { "file": "mic-thread-5-8-27-male-ring", "formats": [ "step", "stl" ], "price_usd": 0, "license": "Xem Studio Design License", "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/mic-thread-5-8-27-male-ring.step", "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/mic-thread-5-8-27-male-ring.stl", "note": "5/8-27 UN external thread ring section (microphone-stand thread): Unified basic profile, major Ø15.875, pitch Ø15.264, minor Ø14.857, pitch 0.9407; 7.53 long (8 turns), bore Ø10.857 (wall is a design choice); exact nominal, no tolerance" }, { "file": "mic-thread-5-8-27-female-ring", "formats": [ "step", "stl" ], "price_usd": 0, "license": "Xem Studio Design License", "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/mic-thread-5-8-27-female-ring.step", "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/mic-thread-5-8-27-female-ring.stl", "note": "5/8-27 UN internal thread ring section (microphone clip / holder thread): Unified basic profile, minor Ø14.857, pitch Ø15.264, major Ø15.875, pitch 0.9407; 7.53 long (8 turns), outside Ø19.875 (design choice); exact nominal, no tolerance" } ], "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/camera-mic-mounts-cold-shoe-arca-5-8-27/index.md" }