Guide · 4 min read
Morse taper guide: MT1–MT6
What the numbers mean, how to measure your spindle, and which taper you actually need.
The Morse taper is a self-holding tapered shank that seats a centre or tool into your tailstock or spindle by friction alone. The number — MT1 to MT6 — tells you the size. Bigger number, bigger taper.
Quick reference
| Taper | Large end (approx) | Typical machine |
|---|---|---|
| MT1 | 12.2 mm | Small bench lathes, drills |
| MT2 | 17.9 mm | Hobby & light lathes |
| MT3 | 23.8 mm | Common workshop lathes |
| MT4 | 31.3 mm | Mid–large lathes |
| MT5 | 44.4 mm | Large lathes |
| MT6 | 63.3 mm | Heavy industrial lathes |
Figures are nominal large-end diameters for guidance. Always confirm against your machine.
How to measure yours
- Clean the tailstock bore and remove any tooling.
- Measure the diameter at the large (front) end of the bore with calipers.
- Match it to the table above — the closest value is your taper.
- Still unsure? Send us the measurement and the machine make and model.
Need the right taper, today? We stock MT1–MT6 across the live and dead centre ranges. Ask a machinist →