This International Standard specifies the fitting dimensions of needles and needle holders for sewing machines. It defines general terms for sewing machine needles and specifies the tolerances for their fit in the needle holder of a sewing machine. In addition to the ranges of dimensions for the nominal shank diameter and the length from butt to eye, this International Standard also indicates the preferred combinations of these two dimensions. In order to ensure the interchangeability and to reduce the variety of needles these should serve as a guide when designing new sewing machines and/or sewing machine needles. NOTE — Those tolerances and combinations at present in use but not given in this International Standard are still valid. Nevertheless the purpose is to limit the number of combinations and tolerances. When designing new sewing machines and/or sewing machine needles, they should be to these tolerances and combinations, the use of which will reduce the unnecessary variety now on the market.