LEAD Vs.

PITCH
Sayeem Ahmed
Lecturer, MPE, AUST.

Lead is the axial advance of a helix or screw during one complete turn (360°). The lead for a
screw thread is the axial travel for a single revolution.

Pitch is defined as the axial distance between adjacent threads on a helix or screw. In most
screws, called "single start" screws, which have a single helical thread along their length, the
lead and pitch are equal. They only differ in "multiple start" screws, which have several
intertwined threads. In these screws, the lead is equal to the pitch multiplied by the number of
"starts".

*PITCH:
The axial distance between threads. Pitch is equal to the lead in a single start screw.

*LEAD:
The axial distance the nut advances in one revolution of the screw. The lead is equal to the pitch
times the number of starts.

*SCREW STARTS:
The number of independent threads on the screw shaft; example one, two or four.

LEAD = PITCH x No. of STARTS

For example: a screw with diameter 5, pitch 0.25mm and number of starts 1, the lead will be 1 x
0.25 = 0.25mm. The screw will travel 0.25 for 1 round of the screw.

whereas for a screw with diameter 5, pitch 0.25 and number of starts 2 the lead will be 2 x
0.25=0.50 i.e. The screw will travel 0.50 for 1 round of the screw.

Lead is proportionate to
1) number of starts
2) Pitch (Distance between two consecutive threads)
Lead DOES NOT depend on the "DIAMETER OF THE THREAD".