A clearance hole is described as which of the following?

• A. Larger than the thread and shank of a screw
• B. A hole with a countersink
• C. A hole for rivet seating flush
• D. A hole for gas escape

Answer: (A)

A clearance hole is a hole that is larger than the screw’s outer diameter (the thread and shank). This means the screw can pass through without the threads engaging the hole, so the piece on the other side can be fastened with a nut or with threads in another part. The purpose is to allow easy assembly and proper alignment without the screw binding in the hole.

This is different from a hole that has a countersink (for a flat‑head screw to sit flush), or a hole for rivets (which isn’t about clearance for a threaded fastener), and it isn’t about venting or gas escape. So the description “larger than the thread and shank of a screw” correctly captures what a clearance hole is.