Shaft Alignment Tolerances

Evaluates your measured offset and angularity against widely used speed-based tolerance values for machine trains with short flexible couplings.

Offset—

Angularity—

Tolerance table

Speed range (rpm)	Offset (mm)		Angularity (mm/100)
Speed range (rpm)	Excellent	Acceptable	Excellent	Acceptable

These tools are intended for preliminary assessment and training. Decisions on critical equipment should be based on on-site measurement and expert evaluation.

How to use

Enter the machine's running speed.
Enter the largest offset and angularity values (vertical or horizontal) from your laser system.
The result is compared with the excellent and acceptable limits for that speed range.

Theory & formulas

Offset is the distance between the two shaft centrelines at the coupling centre. Angularity is the angle between the centrelines expressed per 100 mm of length.

Tolerances tighten with speed because the cyclic loads created by misalignment increase.

The table shows commonly used guideline values; stricter values from the machine or coupling manufacturer take precedence.

Frequently asked questions

What is the alignment tolerance for a 1500 rpm motor-pump?

Common guideline values for 1000–2000 rpm are 0.05 mm (excellent) and 0.10 mm (acceptable) offset, and 0.05 mm/100 mm (excellent) and 0.08 mm/100 mm (acceptable) angularity.