ISO 773 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.
ISO 773 — Scope
ISO 773 is "Rectangular or square parallel keys and their corresponding keyways".
Tolerance & Product Grades
ISO 773 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 ISO 773
| 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
ISO 773 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 ISO 773
Choose ISO 773 for international engineering work and OEM supply where ISO standards are the contractual reference. It is the default modern specification for parallel keys.
Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing
Need a machine key to this standard in a non-standard size?
Parts built to ISO 773 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.
