ISO 286-2:2010 gives values of the limit deviations for commonly used tolerance classes for holes and shafts calculated from the tables given in ISO 286‑1. ISO 286-2 covers values for the upper limit deviations e_{U, hole} (for holes) and e_{U, shaft} (for shafts) and the lower limit deviations e_{L, hole} (for holes) and e_{L, shaft} (for shafts).

The ISO system for tolerances on linear size provides a system of tolerances and deviations suitable for features of the following types:

1. cylinders;
2. two parallel opposite surfaces.

For simplicity, and also because of the importance of cylindrical workpieces of circular section, only these are referred to explicitly. It should be clearly understood, however, that the tolerances and deviations given in ISO 286-2 equally apply to workpieces of other than circular sections.