DIN 6885 is the standard cited for parallel keys. This page sets out what the standard controls for this part, reproduces the dimensional table supplied against it, and notes the related designations referenced on drawings.
DIN 6885 — Scope
DIN 6885 is "Parallel keys and keyways".
Tolerance & Product Grades
DIN 6885 does not divide parallel keys into product grades. Tolerances are given as limits on the individual dimensions in the table.
Where a general-tolerance class is cited on the drawing instead, it applies to the dimensions not otherwise toleranced.
Dimensions Specified by DIN 6885
| Shaft diameter range (mm) | Key width b (mm) | Key height h (mm) | Key length range (mm) | Shaft groove depth t1 (mm) | Hub groove depth t2 (mm) | Reference standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6~8 | 2 | 2 | 6~20 | 1.2 | 1.0 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 8~10 | 3 | 3 | 6~36 | 1.8 | 1.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 10~12 | 4 | 4 | 8~45 | 2.5 | 1.8 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 12~17 | 5 | 5 | 10~56 | 3.0 | 2.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 17~22 | 6 | 6 | 14~70 | 3.5 | 2.8 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 22~30 | 8 | 7 | 18~90 | 4.0 | 3.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 30~38 | 10 | 8 | 22~110 | 5.0 | 3.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 38~44 | 12 | 8 | 28~140 | 5.0 | 3.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 44~50 | 14 | 9 | 36~160 | 5.5 | 3.8 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 50~58 | 16 | 10 | 45~180 | 6.0 | 4.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 58~65 | 18 | 11 | 50~200 | 7.0 | 4.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 65~75 | 20 | 12 | 56~220 | 7.5 | 4.9 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 75~85 | 22 | 14 | 63~250 | 9.0 | 5.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 85~95 | 25 | 14 | 70~280 | 9.0 | 5.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 95~110 | 28 | 16 | 80~320 | 10.0 | 6.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 110~130 | 32 | 18 | 90~360 | 11.0 | 7.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 130~150 | 36 | 20 | 100~400 | 12.0 | 8.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 150~170 | 40 | 22 | 100~400 | 13.0 | 9.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 170~200 | 45 | 25 | 110~450 | 15.0 | 10.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 200~230 | 50 | 28 | 125~500 | 17.0 | 11.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 230~260 | 56 | 32 | 140~500 | 20.0 | 12.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 260~290 | 63 | 32 | 160~500 | 20.0 | 12.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 290~330 | 70 | 36 | 180~500 | 22.0 | 14.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 330~380 | 80 | 40 | 200~500 | 25.0 | 15.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 380~440 | 90 | 45 | 220~500 | 28.0 | 17.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 440~500 | 100 | 50 | 250~500 | 31.0 | 19.5 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
Companion Standards
DIN 6885 controls the geometry of parallel keys. Surface finish is governed by separate finish standards such as ISO 4042 for electroplating, and corrosion testing by ISO 9227 (neutral salt spray). Mechanical performance is set by the documents specific to this part family — ISO 898-1 and ISO 898-2 apply to bolts, screws, studs and nuts, and not here.
When to Specify DIN 6885
DIN 6885 is still widely used in European mechanical engineering and as a cross-reference on legacy drawings; its ISO equivalent is preferred for new designs.
Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing
Need a machine key to this standard in a non-standard size?
Parts built to DIN 6885 are already in the catalog, so a special is usually a variation on existing tooling rather than a new design — which is what keeps the cost down. Made by milling or broaching & serration.
Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.
