GD&T; Quick Reference Guide
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5 Concepts
1. The Fourteen Characteristics
Category Characteristic Datum Required? Typical Use
Form Straightness No Shafts, axes, surface elements
Form Flatness No Sealing and mounting faces
Form Circularity No Any cross-section of a round feature
Form Cylindricity No Bearing journals, pins
Orientation Perpendicularity Yes Faces and axes at 90°
Orientation Angularity Yes Features at a basic angle
Orientation Parallelism Yes Opposed faces, parallel bores
Location Position Usually Hole patterns — the workhorse control
Location Concentricity* Yes Median points (removed in Y14.5-2018)
Location Symmetry* Yes Median plane (removed in Y14.5-2018)
Profile Profile of a Line Optional 2D contour control
Profile Profile of a Surface Optional 3D contour; can replace ± entirely
Runout Circular Runout Yes Composite form+location, per section
Runout Total Runout Yes Entire surface relative to an axis
*Concentricity and symmetry were removed in the 2018 revision; use position or runout instead.
2. Material Condition Modifiers
MMC (maximum material condition) — the feature contains the most material: largest pin,
smallest hole. Applying the MMC modifier to a tolerance grants bonus tolerance as the feature
departs toward LMC, and enables fixed functional gauging. LMC preserves minimum wall
thickness or edge distance. RFS (regardless of feature size) is the default when no modifier
appears and requires variable gauging or CMM verification.
3. Position Tolerance Essentials
A position tolerance at MMC on a clearance hole pattern is calculated from the fixed or floating
fastener formulas. Floating fastener (both parts have clearance holes): T = H − F, where H is the
MMC hole and F the MMC fastener. Fixed fastener (one part tapped or press-fit): T = (H − F)/2 for
each part. The position tolerance zone is cylindrical when the diameter symbol precedes the
value; the actual axis must lie within it. Bonus tolerance = actual feature size departure from
MMC, added directly to the stated zone.
4. Datum Reference Frames
Datums are referenced in order of precedence: primary arrests 3 degrees of freedom (a plane),
secondary 2 more, tertiary the final 1 — the 3-2-1 rule for prismatic parts. Choose datum features
that are functional (mating surfaces), accessible, and stable. Datum feature modifiers (MMB)
allow datum shift when the datum feature is itself a feature of size. A common error is referencing
datums in an order that does not match how the part actually seats in assembly — precedence
order changes the measured result.
5. Rule #1 and General Notes
Rule #1 (envelope principle): for an individual regardless-of-feature-size feature, the form must
be perfect at MMC — size controls form unless overridden by a straightness or flatness callout, or
a note such as 'PERFECT FORM AT MMC NOT REQD'. Profile of a surface referenced to a complete
datum reference frame is the most powerful single control in the standard: it simultaneously
bounds size, form, orientation, and location of the toleranced surface.
Prepared as an original engineering reference compilation. Values are typical published
engineering data; verify against governing specifications before use in design.