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Tolerance vs. Allowance — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 8, 2024
Tolerance refers to the permissible deviation in a dimension, whereas allowance denotes a planned difference between two dimensions to enable proper function.
Tolerance vs. Allowance — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Tolerance and Allowance

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Key Differences

Tolerance is crucial in manufacturing and engineering, defining the limits within which a dimension can vary without impacting functionality. It ensures parts fit together correctly while allowing for minor deviations from the exact measurements. Allowance, on the other hand, is intentionally created between two mating parts, such as a shaft and a hole, to ensure they assemble properly, whether the fit is meant to be loose or tight.
In the context of mechanical engineering, tolerance specifies the range of acceptable measurements for individual parts to ensure they function together seamlessly. Whereas, allowance determines the minimum clearance or maximum interference between paired components to control their fit, affecting ease of assembly, manufacturing costs, and product performance.
Tolerance is often a reflection of the precision and quality control in the manufacturing process, with tighter tolerances indicating higher precision but potentially higher costs. Allowance, however, is a design consideration that influences how parts interact, such as enabling thermal expansion or ensuring a press fit.
While tolerance focuses on the acceptable variation of individual parts, allowance is about the relationship between parts. For instance, a higher tolerance might mean a part can vary more in size, while a larger allowance might mean a looser fit between parts.
In quality control, tolerance helps in assessing whether a part meets the required specifications. In contrast, allowance is used during the design stage to ensure that parts will fit together as intended, even when there are variations within their tolerance limits.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Permissible deviation in a dimension.
Planned difference between two dimensions.

Purpose

Ensures parts fit together within acceptable limits.
Ensures intended fit between mating parts.

Context

Individual part measurements.
Relationship between two mating parts.

Impact on Assembly

Minor deviations allowed without affecting assembly.
Directly influences ease of assembly.

Design Consideration

Precision and quality control in manufacturing.
Intentional fit between parts, considering function and assembly.

Compare with Definitions

Tolerance

Reflects the degree of accuracy achievable in the production process.
Advanced machinery enables tighter tolerances for aerospace components.

Allowance

The intentional gap or interference between two mating parts.
The allowance between the shaft and bearing facilitates easy assembly.

Tolerance

The allowable range of variation for a specific dimension in manufacturing.
The engine component has a tolerance of ±0.01 mm to ensure proper fit.

Allowance

Influences how easily parts can be put together or taken apart.
A larger allowance was provided for parts that needed to be frequently serviced.

Tolerance

Ensures parts operate correctly within specified limits.
The tolerance on the piston diameter ensures smooth engine performance.

Allowance

Balancing the allowance can reduce manufacturing costs without compromising fit.
Adjusting the allowance reduced the need for precision finishes, lowering production costs.

Tolerance

A standard used to maintain consistency in product dimensions.
Tolerance levels were strictly monitored to maintain product reliability.

Allowance

Determines the type of fit between components, such as sliding or interference.
An interference fit required a negative allowance for the gear on the shaft.

Tolerance

Tighter tolerances often lead to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Achieving lower tolerance levels required more sophisticated equipment and skilled labor.

Allowance

A critical factor in the design of parts for assembly.
Designers specified an allowance to accommodate thermal expansion in the assembly.

Tolerance

The ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with
An advocate of religious tolerance
The tolerance of corruption

Allowance

The act of allowing.

Tolerance

The capacity to endure continued subjection to something such as a drug or environmental conditions without adverse reaction
Various species of diatoms display different tolerances to acid
The desert camel shows the greatest tolerance to dehydration

Allowance

An amount that is allowed or granted
Consumed my weekly allowance of two eggs.

Tolerance

An allowable amount of variation of a specified quantity, especially in the dimensions of a machine or part
250 parts in his cars were made to tolerances of one thousandth of an inch

Allowance

Something, such as money, given at regular intervals or for a specific purpose
A travel allowance that covers hotel bills.

Tolerance

The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.

Allowance

A small amount of money regularly given to a child, often as payment for household chores.

Tolerance

Leeway for variation from a standard.

Allowance

A price reduction, especially one granted in exchange for used merchandise
The dealer gave us an allowance on our old car.

Tolerance

The permissible deviation from a specified value of a structural dimension, often expressed as a percent.

Allowance

To put on a fixed allowance
Cut expenses by strictly allowancing the sales representatives.

Tolerance

The capacity to endure hardship or pain.

Allowance

To dispense in fixed quantities; ration.

Tolerance

Physiological resistance to a toxin.

Allowance

Permission; granting, conceding, or admitting

Tolerance

Diminution in the physiological response to a drug that occurs after continued use, necessitating larger doses to produce a given response.

Allowance

Acknowledgment.

Tolerance

The ability to digest or metabolize a food, drug, or other substance or compound
Glucose tolerance.

Allowance

An amount, portion, or share that is allotted or granted; a sum granted as a reimbursement, a bounty, or as appropriate for any purpose
Her meagre allowance of food or drink
Being a volunteer is unpaid, but we get accommodation and a living allowance of 100 euros a week.

Tolerance

Acceptance of a tissue graft or transplant without immunological rejection.

Allowance

Abatement; deduction; the taking into account of mitigating circumstances
To make allowance for his naivety

Tolerance

Unresponsiveness to an antigen that normally produces an immunologic reaction.

Allowance

(commerce) A customary deduction from the gross weight of goods, differing by country.
Tare and tret are examples of allowance.

Tolerance

The ability of an organism to resist or survive infection by a parasitic or pathogenic organism.

Allowance

(horse racing) A permitted reduction in the weight that a racehorse must carry.
On the Flat, an apprentice jockey starts with an allowance of 7 lb.

Tolerance

The ability to endure pain or hardship; endurance.

Allowance

A child's allowance; pocket money.
She gives her daughters each an allowance of thirty dollars a month.

Tolerance

(uncountable) The ability or practice of tolerating; an acceptance of or patience with the beliefs, opinions or practices of others; a lack of bigotry.

Allowance

(minting) A permissible deviation in the fineness and weight of coins, owing to the difficulty in securing exact conformity to the standard prescribed by law.

Tolerance

(uncountable) The ability of the body (or other organism) to resist the action of a poison, to cope with a dangerous drug or to survive infection by an organism.

Allowance

(obsolete) Approval; approbation.

Tolerance

(countable) The variation or deviation from a standard, especially the maximum permitted variation in an engineering measurement.
Our customers can generally accept ten times the tolerance which we can achieve in our machining operations.

Allowance

(obsolete) License; indulgence.

Tolerance

(uncountable) The ability of the body to accept a tissue graft without rejection.

Allowance

(engineering) A planned deviation between an exact dimension and a nominal or theoretical dimension.

Tolerance

The power or capacity of enduring; the act of enduring; endurance.
Diogenes, one frosty morning, came into the market place, shaking, to show his tolerance.

Allowance

(transitive) To put upon a fixed allowance (especially of provisions and drink).
The captain was obliged to allowance his crew.

Tolerance

The endurance of the presence or actions of objectionable persons, or of the expression of offensive opinions; toleration.

Allowance

(transitive) To supply in a fixed and limited quantity.
Our provisions were allowanced.

Tolerance

The power possessed or acquired by some persons of bearing doses of medicine which in ordinary cases would prove injurious or fatal.

Allowance

Approval; approbation.

Tolerance

Capability of growth in more or less shade.

Allowance

The act of allowing, granting, conceding, or admitting; authorization; permission; sanction; tolerance.
Without the king's will or the state's allowance.

Tolerance

The allowed amount of variation from the standard or from exact conformity to the specified dimensions, weight, hardness, voltage etc., in various mechanical or electrical devices or operations; - caklled also allowance

Allowance

Acknowledgment.
The censure of the which one must in your allowance o'erweigh a whole theater of others.

Tolerance

The capacity to resist the deleterious action of a chemical agent normally harmful to the organism; as, the acquired tolerance of bacteria to anitbiotics.

Allowance

License; indulgence.

Tolerance

The acquired inability to respond with an immune reaction to an antigen to which the organism normally responds; - called also immunotolerance, immunological tolerance, or immune tolerance. Such tolerance may be induced by exposing an animal to the antigen at a very early stage of life, prior to maturation of the immune system, or, in adults, by exposing the animal to repeated low doses of a weak protein antigen (low-zone tolerance), or to a large amount of an antigen (high-zone tolerance).

Allowance

That which is allowed; a share or portion allotted or granted; a sum granted as a reimbursement, a bounty, or as appropriate for any purpose; a stated quantity, as of food or drink; hence, a limited quantity of meat and drink, when provisions fall short.
I can give the boy a handsome allowance.

Tolerance

The power or capacity of an organism to tolerate unfavorable environmental conditions

Allowance

Abatement; deduction; the taking into account of mitigating circumstances; as, to make allowance for the inexperience of youth.
After making the largest allowance for fraud.

Tolerance

A disposition to allow freedom of choice and behavior

Allowance

A customary deduction from the gross weight of goods, different in different countries, such as tare and tret.

Tolerance

The act of tolerating something

Allowance

To put upon a fixed allowance (esp. of provisions and drink); to supply in a fixed and limited quantity; as, the captain was obliged to allowance his crew; our provisions were allowanced.

Tolerance

Willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of others

Allowance

An amount allowed or granted (as during a given period);
Travel allowance
My weekly allowance of two eggs
A child's allowance should not be too generous

Tolerance

A permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits

Allowance

A sum granted as reimbursement for expenses

Allowance

An amount added or deducted on the basis of qualifying circumstances;
An allowance for profit

Allowance

A permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits

Allowance

A reserve fund created by a charge against profits in order to provide for changes in the value of a company's assets

Allowance

The act of allowing;
He objected to the allowance of smoking in the diningroom

Allowance

Put on a fixed allowance, as of food

Common Curiosities

How does allowance affect part assembly?

Allowance is the planned difference between the dimensions of mating parts, influencing the ease of assembly and the type of fit.

Why are tolerances important in engineering?

Tolerances are crucial for ensuring that parts fit and function together as intended, even when there are minor deviations in size.

Can allowance lead to loose fits?

Yes, an allowance can be designed to create a loose fit, allowing for easy assembly or operational movement between parts.

How do tighter tolerances impact manufacturing costs?

Tighter tolerances require more precise manufacturing processes, often leading to higher costs.

What role does tolerance play in quality control?

Tolerance levels are monitored in quality control to ensure parts meet specified dimensional criteria.

Can allowances be adjusted after production?

Adjustments to allowances typically require design changes and may involve retooling or remanufacturing parts.

What is tolerance in manufacturing?

Tolerance is the allowable variation in a part's dimensions, ensuring it can function correctly within a range.

Is allowance always a positive value?

No, allowance can be negative in cases like interference fits, where parts must be forced together.

Can tolerances affect product quality?

Yes, tighter tolerances generally improve product quality by ensuring parts fit and function more precisely.

How do designers decide on allowances?

Designers consider factors like the intended fit, operational conditions, and manufacturing capabilities when deciding on allowances.

How do environmental factors influence tolerances and allowances?

Environmental factors like temperature and humidity can cause material expansion or contraction, influencing the effectiveness of tolerances and allowances.

How does tolerance affect fit types, such as clearance or interference?

Tolerance affects how closely parts can fit together, with tighter tolerances allowing for more precise fits, whether clearance or interference.

Do allowances affect the need for post-production finishing?

Yes, allowances can reduce the need for tight tolerances and thus decrease the necessity for extensive post-production finishing processes.

Can allowances help with thermal expansion in assemblies?

Yes, allowances can be designed to accommodate thermal expansion, preventing part failure or distortion.

Are tolerances the same across all industries?

No, tolerance requirements vary significantly across industries, with some sectors like aerospace demanding extremely tight tolerances.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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