{
 "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": "pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls",
 "name": "PEM self-clinching nuts (S, CLS, CLSS): hole size, minimum edge distance, nut diameter and height, M2–M12 and #2-56 to 3/8-24 + hole gauges",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Hardware",
 "group": "Fasteners",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What hole size and edge distance for a PEM self-clinching nut, and what is the clinch nut hole for M3, M4 or M6?",
 "tags": [
  "clinch nut",
  "self clinching nut",
  "pem nut",
  "press in nut",
  "pem cls",
  "pem s nut",
  "sheet metal nut",
  "fastener"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "pem self clinching nut hole size",
  "m3 clinch nut hole diameter",
  "pem cls m4 hole 5.41",
  "self clinching nut minimum edge distance",
  "m6 pem nut hole 8.75",
  "pem s-632 hole size",
  "self clinching nut drill size #8-32",
  "cls-m3-1",
  "pem nut stl step",
  "clinch nut hole gauge stl",
  "m8 self clinching nut hole"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": 98.2,
  "width": 25,
  "height": 3
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "free-files",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 2,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "PennEngineering (PEM) product-finder and catalog pages for the Unified and Metric S, CLS, CLSS series, read part by part; two hole gauges as files",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": 98.2,
   "width": 25,
   "height": 3
  },
  "notes": [
   "Rows are the values PEM prints on one representative part page per thread (named in the page column); hole size in sheet is +0.08 mm / +.003 −.000 in; E and T carry ±0.25 mm / ±.010 in; C max is the maximum of the clinch body (it is 0.02 mm / .001 in under the hole size on every row); the minimum distance from the hole centreline to the sheet edge is a minimum. The page for CLS-256-2 states: use a centreline-to-edge value 'greater or equal to the value specified', and recommends the maximum shank length for your sheet thickness. For use in sheet hardness: HRB 70 / HB 125 or less for CLS / CLSS (the S-type pages listed the same in the compare table). Thread specs: metric 6H ASME B1.13M, unified 2B ASME B1.1.",
   "Minimum sheet thickness: PEM prints a 'rec. min. sheet thickness' only on the CLS-256-2 page (.056 in, for shank code 2); none of the other part pages read give one, so it is not tabulated. It depends on the shank code (A max: M2 / M2.5 / M3 codes 0, 1, 2 are .77 / .97 / 1.38 mm; #2-56 and #4-40 codes 0, 1, 2, 3 are .030 / .038 / .054 / .087 in; as printed on the catalog lists). Use PEM's data sheet for minimum thickness by shank code.",
   "Gaps, stated plainly: the #3-48 row carries only the hole and E from the catalog list (hole .166, E .250); M12 only the catalog list's hole 17 and E 20.57 for S-M12-1ZI. The M3, M4, M6 and M8 shank code printed varies by the part read (CLS-M3-1, CLS-M4-2, CLS-M6-1, CLS-M8-1) and A is shown for that code only. M5 is from the CLSS (SS-series) page; CLS / S M5 was not read.",
   "Files are two hole gauges (plates with the published nominal hole sizes, smallest first; 3 mm plate, 4 mm gap and 4 mm margin chosen by Xem). The nut itself is PEM's part: its CAD is on PEM's product pages and is not rehosted. PEM's thread masking and torque pages were not read. Weld nuts: weld-nuts-din-929; rivet nuts: rivet-nuts-flat-head."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "system",
    "thread",
    "hole in sheet",
    "E",
    "T",
    "C max",
    "min. dist. hole C/L to edge",
    "part page read",
    "A shank max by code (as printed)"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M2 x 0.4",
     "4.22",
     "6.35",
     "1.5",
     "4.2",
     "4.8",
     "CLS-M2-2",
     "0 .77, 1 .97, 2 1.38"
    ],
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M2.5 x 0.45",
     "4.22",
     "6.35",
     "1.5",
     "4.2",
     "4.8",
     "CLS-M2.5-1",
     "0 .77, 1 .97, 2 1.38"
    ],
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M3 x 0.5",
     "4.22",
     "6.35",
     "1.5",
     "4.2",
     "4.8",
     "CLS-M3-1",
     "1 .97 (page)"
    ],
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M4 x 0.7",
     "5.41",
     "7.87",
     "2",
     "5.38",
     "6.9",
     "CLS-M4-2",
     "2 1.38 (page)"
    ],
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M5 x 0.8",
     "6.35",
     "8.64",
     "2",
     "6.33",
     "7.1",
     "CLSS-M5-1",
     "(not printed)"
    ],
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M6 x 1",
     "8.75",
     "11.18",
     "4.08",
     "8.73",
     "8.6",
     "CLS-M6-1",
     "1 1.38 (page)"
    ],
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M8 x 1.25",
     "10.5",
     "12.7",
     "5.47",
     "10.47",
     "9.7",
     "CLS-M8-1 / -2",
     "1 1.38, 2 2.21"
    ],
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M10 x 1.5",
     "14",
     "17.35",
     "7.48",
     "13.97",
     "13.5",
     "CLS-M10-2",
     "1 2.21, 2 3.05"
    ],
    [
     "metric (mm)",
     "M12 x 1.75",
     "17",
     "20.57",
     "—",
     "—",
     "—",
     "S-M12-1ZI (catalog list)",
     "1 3.05"
    ],
    [
     "unified (in)",
     "#2-56 (.086)",
     ".166",
     ".250",
     ".070",
     ".165",
     ".190",
     "CLS-256-2",
     "0 .030, 1 .038, 2 .054"
    ],
    [
     "unified (in)",
     "#3-48 (.099)",
     ".166",
     ".250",
     "—",
     "—",
     "—",
     "list (CLS-348-n)",
     "0 .030, 1 .038, 2 .054"
    ],
    [
     "unified (in)",
     "#4-40 (.112)",
     ".166",
     ".250",
     ".070",
     ".165",
     ".190",
     "CLS-440-3",
     "0 .030, 1 .038, 2 .054, 3 .087"
    ],
    [
     "unified (in)",
     "#6-32 (.138)",
     ".1875",
     ".280",
     ".070",
     ".187",
     ".220",
     "CLS-632-0",
     "0 .030"
    ],
    [
     "unified (in)",
     "#8-32 (.164)",
     ".213",
     ".310",
     ".090",
     ".212",
     ".270",
     "CLS-832-2",
     "2 .054"
    ],
    [
     "unified (in)",
     "#10-32 (.190)",
     ".250",
     ".340",
     ".090",
     ".249",
     ".280",
     "CLSS-032-3 / -2",
     "3 .087"
    ],
    [
     "unified (in)",
     "3/8-24 (.375)",
     ".500",
     ".560",
     ".270",
     ".499",
     ".440",
     "CLS-0624-1",
     "1 .087 (page)"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "PEM self-clinching nuts (S, CLS, CLSS): hole size, minimum edge distance, nut diameter and height, M2–M12 and #2-56 to 3/8-24 + hole gauges — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/  (sheet CC BY 4.0)\nBasis: PennEngineering (PEM) product-finder and catalog pages for the Unified and Metric S, CLS, CLSS series, read part by part; two hole gauges as files\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nOverall (mm): length 98.2, width 25.0, height 3.0\n- Rows are the values PEM prints on one representative part page per thread (named in the page column); hole size in sheet is +0.08 mm / +.003 −.000 in; E and T carry ±0.25 mm / ±.010 in; C max is the maximum of the clinch body (it is 0.02 mm / .001 in under the hole size on every row); the minimum distance from the hole centreline to the sheet edge is a minimum. The page for CLS-256-2 states: use a centreline-to-edge value 'greater or equal to the value specified', and recommends the maximum shank length for your sheet thickness. For use in sheet hardness: HRB 70 / HB 125 or less for CLS / CLSS (the S-type pages listed the same in the compare table). Thread specs: metric 6H ASME B1.13M, unified 2B ASME B1.1.\n- Minimum sheet thickness: PEM prints a 'rec. min. sheet thickness' only on the CLS-256-2 page (.056 in, for shank code 2); none of the other part pages read give one, so it is not tabulated. It depends on the shank code (A max: M2 / M2.5 / M3 codes 0, 1, 2 are .77 / .97 / 1.38 mm; #2-56 and #4-40 codes 0, 1, 2, 3 are .030 / .038 / .054 / .087 in; as printed on the catalog lists). Use PEM's data sheet for minimum thickness by shank code.\n- Gaps, stated plainly: the #3-48 row carries only the hole and E from the catalog list (hole .166, E .250); M12 only the catalog list's hole 17 and E 20.57 for S-M12-1ZI. The M3, M4, M6 and M8 shank code printed varies by the part read (CLS-M3-1, CLS-M4-2, CLS-M6-1, CLS-M8-1) and A is shown for that code only. M5 is from the CLSS (SS-series) page; CLS / S M5 was not read.\n- Files are two hole gauges (plates with the published nominal hole sizes, smallest first; 3 mm plate, 4 mm gap and 4 mm margin chosen by Xem). The nut itself is PEM's part: its CAD is on PEM's product pages and is not rehosted. PEM's thread masking and torque pages were not read. Weld nuts: weld-nuts-din-929; rivet nuts: rivet-nuts-flat-head.\n\nsystem  thread  hole in sheet  E  T  C max  min. dist. hole C/L to edge  part page read  A shank max by code (as printed)\nmetric (mm)  M2 x 0.4  4.22  6.35  1.5  4.2  4.8  CLS-M2-2  0 .77, 1 .97, 2 1.38\nmetric (mm)  M2.5 x 0.45  4.22  6.35  1.5  4.2  4.8  CLS-M2.5-1  0 .77, 1 .97, 2 1.38\nmetric (mm)  M3 x 0.5  4.22  6.35  1.5  4.2  4.8  CLS-M3-1  1 .97 (page)\nmetric (mm)  M4 x 0.7  5.41  7.87  2  5.38  6.9  CLS-M4-2  2 1.38 (page)\nmetric (mm)  M5 x 0.8  6.35  8.64  2  6.33  7.1  CLSS-M5-1  (not printed)\nmetric (mm)  M6 x 1  8.75  11.18  4.08  8.73  8.6  CLS-M6-1  1 1.38 (page)\nmetric (mm)  M8 x 1.25  10.5  12.7  5.47  10.47  9.7  CLS-M8-1 / -2  1 1.38, 2 2.21\nmetric (mm)  M10 x 1.5  14  17.35  7.48  13.97  13.5  CLS-M10-2  1 2.21, 2 3.05\nmetric (mm)  M12 x 1.75  17  20.57  —  —  —  S-M12-1ZI (catalog list)  1 3.05\nunified (in)  #2-56 (.086)  .166  .250  .070  .165  .190  CLS-256-2  0 .030, 1 .038, 2 .054\nunified (in)  #3-48 (.099)  .166  .250  —  —  —  list (CLS-348-n)  0 .030, 1 .038, 2 .054\nunified (in)  #4-40 (.112)  .166  .250  .070  .165  .190  CLS-440-3  0 .030, 1 .038, 2 .054, 3 .087\nunified (in)  #6-32 (.138)  .1875  .280  .070  .187  .220  CLS-632-0  0 .030\nunified (in)  #8-32 (.164)  .213  .310  .090  .212  .270  CLS-832-2  2 .054\nunified (in)  #10-32 (.190)  .250  .340  .090  .249  .280  CLSS-032-3 / -2  3 .087\nunified (in)  3/8-24 (.375)  .500  .560  .270  .499  .440  CLS-0624-1  1 .087 (page)\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- PennEngineering (PEM): Self-clinching nuts types S, SS, CLS, CLSS, SP: product-finder pages CLS-M2-2, CLS-M2.5-1, CLS-M3-1, CLS-M4-2, CLS-M6-1, CLS-M8-1, CLS-M10-2, CLSS-M5-1, CLS-256-2, CLS-440-3, CLS-632-0, CLS-832-2, CLSS-032-3, CLS-0624-1 — web — Manufacturer catalog; dimensions are facts; CAD is PEM's, not hosted — https://catalog.pemnet.com/viewitems/nuts-types-s-ss-cls-clss-cla-sp/self-clinching-nuts-types-s-ss-cls-clss-sp-unified?plpver=10\n- McMaster-Carr: Press-fit (self-clinching) nuts (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution) — STEP, IGES, PDF — McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution [verify license at link] — https://www.mcmaster.com/products/press-fit-nuts/thread-size~m6-2/\n\nFree files (CC BY 4.0, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 2 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "PennEngineering (PEM)",
   "title": "Self-clinching nuts types S, SS, CLS, CLSS, SP: product-finder pages CLS-M2-2, CLS-M2.5-1, CLS-M3-1, CLS-M4-2, CLS-M6-1, CLS-M8-1, CLS-M10-2, CLSS-M5-1, CLS-256-2, CLS-440-3, CLS-632-0, CLS-832-2, CLSS-032-3, CLS-0624-1",
   "url": "https://catalog.pemnet.com/viewitems/nuts-types-s-ss-cls-clss-cla-sp/self-clinching-nuts-types-s-ss-cls-clss-sp-unified?plpver=10",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Manufacturer catalog; dimensions are facts; CAD is PEM's, not hosted",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "McMaster-Carr",
   "title": "Press-fit (self-clinching) nuts (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution)",
   "url": "https://www.mcmaster.com/products/press-fit-nuts/thread-size~m6-2/",
   "formats": [
    "STEP",
    "IGES",
    "PDF"
   ],
   "license": "McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution",
   "license_verified": false,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "free-files",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso",
  "pem-self-clinching-studs-fh",
  "rivet-nuts-flat-head",
  "weld-nuts-din-929",
  "hex-nuts-metric",
  "threaded-standoffs-metric",
  "heat-set-inserts"
 ],
 "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": "hole in sheet (nut)",
   "exact": "M2 / M2.5 / M3 Ø4.22, M4 5.41, M5 6.35, M6 8.75, M8 10.5, M10 14, M12 17 mm (+0.08); #2-56 to #4-40 .166, #6-32 .1875, #8-32 .213, #10-32 .250, 3/8-24 .500 in (+.003 / −.000)",
   "mates": "PEM S / CLS / CLSS self-clinching nut pressed into the sheet",
   "fit": "press",
   "files": "clinch-hole-gauge-"
  },
  {
   "feature": "edge distance",
   "exact": "min hole centre to sheet edge: M2 to M3 4.8, M4 6.9, M5 7.1, M6 8.6, M8 9.7, M10 13.5 mm; #2-56 .190, #6-32 .220, #8-32 .270, #10-32 .280, 3/8-24 .440 in",
   "mates": "sheet edge keep-out",
   "fit": "designed",
   "files": "clinch-hole-gauge-"
  }
 ],
 "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": "What hole size does an M3 PEM self-clinching nut need?",
   "a": "4.22 mm (+0.08), with the hole centre at least 4.8 mm from the sheet edge (CLS-M3-1; M2 and M2.5 are the same)."
  },
  {
   "q": "What hole for an M6 PEM CLS nut?",
   "a": "8.75 mm (+0.08), edge distance 8.6 mm min, E 11.18 mm, T 4.08 mm (CLS-M6-1)."
  },
  {
   "q": "What is the minimum sheet thickness for a PEM nut?",
   "a": "PEM prints it by shank code; the only value read is .056 in for CLS-256-2. Check PEM's data sheet for others."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": null,
 "offers": [
  {
   "file": "clinch-hole-gauge-pem-nuts-metric-m2-m12",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/clinch-hole-gauge-pem-nuts-metric-m2-m12.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/clinch-hole-gauge-pem-nuts-metric-m2-m12.stl",
   "note": "hole gauge plate, 98.2 × 25.0 × 3 mm, seven holes at PEM's hole size in sheet for S / CLS / CLSS nuts: Ø4.22 (M2, M2.5, M3), 5.41 (M4), 6.35 (M5), 8.75 (M6), 10.5 (M8), 14 (M10), 17 (M12) mm, nominal = lower limit of the +0.08 mm tolerance; plate thickness and spacing are Xem choices"
  },
  {
   "file": "clinch-hole-gauge-pem-nuts-inch-2-56-to-3-8",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/clinch-hole-gauge-pem-nuts-inch-2-56-to-3-8.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/clinch-hole-gauge-pem-nuts-inch-2-56-to-3-8.stl",
   "note": "hole gauge plate, 57.4 × 20.7 × 3 mm, five holes at PEM's hole size in sheet for S / CLS / CLSS nuts: .166 (#2-56 to #4-40), .1875 (#6-32), .213 (#8-32), .250 (#10-32), .500 (3/8-24) in, nominal = lower limit of the +.003 / −.000 in tolerance; plate thickness and spacing are Xem choices"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls/index.md"
}