In this paper, three-dimensional finite element analysis of thread rolling process of a 12 point flange head bolt is conducted using a rigid-plastic finite element method based metal forming simulator AFDEX 3D. A whole sequence of cold forming processes of a long shaft bolt composed of four forging stages and final thread rolling process is simulated to reveal the mechanism of thread formation. A mesh density control function is applied near the major plastic deformation region to achieve computational efficiency. It has been shown both numerically and experimentally that longitudinal lengthening or shortening is negligible in thread rolling.