A Complete Guide to Pipe Sizes and Pipe Schedule

Standardization of wrought steel Pipe schedule and pipe sizes begins with mass production era. At
that time pipes were available in only three sizes standard weight (STD), extra-strong (XS), and
double extra-strong (XXS), based on the iron pipe size (IPS) system.

With modernization of various industries and use of pipes in different pressure and temperature
condition these three sizes were not sufficient to meet the requirement. This resulted in the
concept of the schedule number that combined wall thickness and diameter of the pipe. In current
practice, pipe size is defined with bore/nominal diameter and a schedule number represents wall
thickness of the pipe.

What is Nominal Pipe Size?

Nominal pipe size (NPS) is the number that defines the size of the pipe. For example, when you
say 6" pipe, the 6" is the nominal size of that pipe. It also depends on the size of the pipe. For pipe
sizes, NPS 14 and above Outside Diameter is same as NPS. To understand this concept, you have
to learn the way pipes are manufactured.

Manufacturing of NPS 1/8 (DN 6) to NPS 12 (DN 300) pipes is based on fixed outside diameter
(OD). So an increase in wall thickness decrease the inside diameter (ID) of the pipe and this ID of
the pipe is approximately equal to the Nominal Size.

Manufacturing of NPS 14 (DN350) and above pipes OD is corresponding to the Nominal Size of a
pipe. With below example, you have more clarity of the concept.

OD in Thickness in Thickness in
OD in MM ID in inch ID in mm
Inch Inch mm

For NPS 2 Schedule 40 pipe

2.375 60.3 0.154 3.91 2.067 52.5

For NPS 14 Schedule 40 pipe

14 350 0.438 11.13 13.124 333.3

From the above table, you can see that for NPS 2, Pipe ID is near to pipe NPS and for NPS 14
pipe OD is same as NPS.
You can easily convert inch dimension to mm by multiplying it with 25.4 and rounding as follow;

1. Outside diameter above 16 inches rounded to nearest 1 mm

2. Outside diameter 16 inches and below rounded to nearest 0.1 mm
3. Pipe wall thickness are rounded to nearest 0.01 mm

What is Pipe NB (Nominal Bore)?

NPS is frequently referred as an NB (Nominal Bore). As such, there is no difference between NB

and NPS. NB is also an American way to refer pipe dimensions. I have also seen that when pipe
dimensions are shown in mm (DN) people refer pipe sizes in NB. So when someone says 25nb
pipe or 50nb pipe basically they are talking about DN.

What is DN (Diameter Nominal) Pipe Sizes?

DN or Diameter Nominal is International designation (SI or Matric Designator) and also a

European equivalent of NPS to show pipe sizes. Here, you have to note that DN shows pipe sizes
differently than NPS.
2” pipe is simply mentioned as DN 50. You can get any NPS to DN by multiplying it with 25.
Check the below table for easy understanding. There is no change in other dimensions when you
use DN.

Nominal Pipe Size Diameter Nominal Nominal Pipe Size Diameter Nominal

NPS (inches) DN (mm) NPS (inches) DN (mm)

1/8 6 20 500

1/4 8 22 550

3/8 10 24 600

1/2 15 26 650

3/4 20 28 700

1 25 30 750

1¼ 32 32 800
1½ 40 36 900

2 50 40 1000

2½ 65 42 1050

3 80 44 1100

3½ 90 48 1200

4 100 52 1300

5 125 56 1400

6 150 60 1500

8 200 64 1600

10 250 68 1700
 12 300 72 1800

14 350 76 1900

16 400 80 2000

18 450 Based on ASME B36.10

From this table, you can see that initially pipe size increase by ¼ than ½ and then by 1”. Form 6”
to 42”, it increases by 2” step and after that in 4”.

What is Pipe Schedule?

Pipe schedule is the way pipe wall thickness are mentioned. To simplify the ordering of the pipe
ASME committee has developed Schedule Number which is based on modified Barlow’s wall
thickness formula.

Definition of Schedule Number: The schedule number indicates approximate value of the
expression 1000 x P/S where P is the service pressure and S is the allowable stress, both expressed
in pounds per square inch.

You can see the pipe schedule calculation formula as below;

Schedule number = P/S

 P is the service pressure in (psi)

 S is the allowable stress in (psi)

So, what does schedule 40 means?

Schedule 40 is nothing but a pipe thickness designator. In simple word you can say that for given
material, schedule 40 pipe can withstand a certain amount of pressure.
Now, can you tell me which is thicker schedule 40 or 80 pipe?

Schedule 80 pipe is thicker than schedule 40 pipe. Look at the above formula of schedule number,
allowable stress for material at given temperature is fixed. That means with an increase in service
pressure schedule number will increase which is pipe wall thickness designator.

Pipe Schedule for Stainless Steel Pipe

Cost of stainless steel pipe is much higher than carbon steel pipe. Due to corrosion resistance
properties of stainless steel, advancement of high alloy stainless steel and fusion welding less
thickness pipe can be work satisfactorily without fear of early failure.

To reduces the cost of material ASME has introduced different schedule number for stainless steel
pipe and fittings. Under ASME B36.19 Schedule no with “S” suffix is introduced for SS pipe.
Example- 10S

Standard Pipe Schedule as per ASME B36.10 and B36.19

For Carbon Steel and Wrought iron Pipe as 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160,

per ASME B36.10 STD, XS, XXS

For Stainless Steel Pipe as per ASME
5S, 10S, 40S, 80S
B36.19

STD (Standard) and Schedule 40 has same thickness up to NPS 10 (DN 250)

Above NPS 10 STD have a wall thickness of 3/8 in. (9.53 mm)

XS has same thickness as Schedule 80 for up to NPS 8 (DN 200)

Above NPS 8 XS have a wall thickness of ½ in. (12.5 mm)

NPS Chart (Inch)

A B C D E F G H I J K L

1 Nominal Pipe Size Chart - Nominal Pipe Dimension in Inches

2 Nominal in Inch OD 5 5s 10 10s 20 30 40 40s Std 60

3 1/8 0.405 0.049 0.049 0.068 0.068 0.068

4 1/4 0.54 0.065 0.065 0.088 0.088 0.088

 A B C D E F G H I J K L

5 3/8 0.675 0.065 0.065 0.073 0.091 0.091 0.091

6 1/2 0.84 0.065 0.065 0.083 0.083 0.095 0.109 0.109 0.109

7 3/4 1.05 0.065 0.065 0.083 0.083 0.095 0.113 0.113 0.113

8 1 1.315 0.065 0.065 0.109 0.109 0.114 0.133 0.133 0.133

9 1 1/4 1.66 0.065 0.065 0.109 0.109 0.117 0.14 0.14 0.14

10 1 1/2 1.9 0.065 0.065 0.109 0.109 0.125 0.145 0.145 0.145

11 2 2.375 0.065 0.065 0.109 0.109 0.125 0.154 0.154 0.154

12 2 1/2 2.875 0.083 0.083 0.12 0.12 0.188 0.203 0.203 0.203

13 3 3.5 0.083 0.083 0.12 0.12 0.188 0.216 0.216 0.216

14 3 1/2 4 0.083 0.083 0.12 0.12 0.188 0.226 0.226 0.226

15 4 4.5 0.083 0.083 0.12 0.12 0.188 0.237 0.237 0.237

 A B C D E F G H I J K L

16 5 5.563 0.109 0.109 0.134 0.134 0.258 0.258 0.258

17 6 6.625 0.109 0.109 0.134 0.134 0.28 0.28 0.28

18 8 8.625 0.109 0.109 0.148 0.148 0.25 0.277 0.322 0.322 0.322 0.

19 10 10.75 0.134 0.134 0.165 0.165 0.25 0.307 0.365 0.365 0.365 0.

20 12 12.75 0.156 0.156 0.18 0.18 0.25 0.33 0.406 0.375 0.375 0.

21 14 14 0.156 0.156 0.25 0.188 0.312 0.375 0.438 0.375 0.375 0.

22 16 16 0.165 0.165 0.25 0.188 0.312 0.375 0.5 0.375 0.375 0.

23 18 18 0.165 0.165 0.25 0.188 0.312 0.438 0.562 0.375 0.375 0.

24 20 20 0.188 0.188 0.25 0.218 0.375 0.5 0.594 0.375 0.375 0.

25 22 22 0.188 0.188 0.25 0.218 0.375 0.5 0.375 0.

26 24 24 0.218 0.218 0.25 0.25 0.375 0.562 0.688 0.375 0.375 0.

 A B C D E F G H I J K L

27 26 26 0.312 0.5 0.375

28 28 28 0.312 0.5 0.625 0.375

29 30 30 0.25 0.25 0.312 0.312 0.5 0.625 0.375

30 32 32 0.312 0.5 0.625 0.688 0.375

31 34 34 0.312 0.5 0.625 0.688 0.375

32 36 36 0.312 0.5 0.625 0.75 0.375

33 38 38 0.375

34 40 40 0.375

35 42 42 0.375

36 44 44 0.375

37 46 46 0.375
 A B C D E F G H I J K L

38 48 48 0.375

39 Nominal in Inch OD 5 5s 10 10s 20 30 40 40s Std 60

40 ASME B36.10M-2015: Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe

41 ASME B36.19M-2004: Stainless Steel Pipe (For 5S,10S,40S and 80S)

42 Don't get confused between 3 1/2 inch nominal with 3.5 inch OD, 4" nominal with 4.000" OD

NPS Chart (SI Unit – MM)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O

1 Nominal Pipe Size Chart - Nominal Pipe Dimension in Millimeter (mm)

2 DN OD 5 5s 10 10s 20 30 40 40s Std 60 80 80s XS

in

mm

3 6 10.3 1.24 1.24 1.73 1.73 1.73 2.41 2.41 2.41

4 8 13.7 1.65 1.65 2.24 2.24 2.24 3.02 3.02 3.02

 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O

5 10 17.1 1.65 1.65 1.85 2.31 2.31 2.31 3.2 3.2 3.2

6 15 21.3 1.65 1.65 2.11 2.11 2.41 2.77 2.77 2.77 3.73 3.73 3.73

7 20 26.7 1.65 1.65 2.11 2.11 2.41 2.87 2.87 2.87 3.91 3.91 3.91

8 25 33.4 1.65 1.65 2.77 2.77 2.9 3.38 3.38 3.38 4.55 4.55 4.55

9 32 42.2 1.65 1.65 2.77 2.77 2.97 3.56 3.56 3.56 4.85 4.85 4.85

10 40 48.3 1.65 1.65 2.77 2.77 3.18 3.68 3.68 3.68 5.08 5.08 5.08

11 50 60.3 1.65 1.65 2.77 2.77 3.18 3.91 3.91 3.91 5.54 5.54 5.54

12 65 73 2.11 2.11 3.05 3.05 4.78 5.16 5.16 5.16 7.01 7.01 7.01

13 80 88.9 2.11 2.11 3.05 3.05 4.78 5.49 5.49 5.49 7.62 7.62 7.62

14 90 101.6 2.11 2.11 3.05 3.05 4.78 5.74 5.74 5.74 8.08 8.08 8.08

15 100 114.3 2.11 2.11 3.05 3.05 4.78 6.02 6.02 6.02 8.56 8.56 8.56
 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O

16 125 141.3 2.77 2.77 3.4 3.4 6.55 6.55 6.55 9.53 9.53 9.53

17 150 168.3 2.77 2.77 3.4 3.4 7.11 7.11 7.11 10.97 10.97 10.9

18 200 219.1 2.77 2.77 3.76 3.76 6.35 7.04 8.18 8.18 8.18 10.31 12.7 12.7 12.7

19 250 273 3.4 3.4 4.19 4.19 6.35 7.8 9.27 9.27 9.27 12.7 15.09 12.7 12.7

20 300 323.8 3.96 3.96 4.57 4.57 6.35 8.38 10.31 9.53 9.53 14.27 17.48 12.7 12.7

21 350 355.6 3.96 3.96 6.35 4.78 7.92 9.53 11.13 9.53 9.53 15.09 19.05 12.7 12.7

22 400 406.4 4.19 4.19 6.35 4.78 7.92 9.53 12.7 9.53 9.53 16.66 21.44 12.7 12.7

23 450 457 4.19 4.19 6.35 4.78 7.92 11.13 14.27 9.53 9.53 19.05 23.83 12.7 12.7

24 500 508 4.78 4.78 6.35 5.54 9.53 12.7 15.09 9.53 9.53 20.62 26.19 12.7 12.7

25 550 559 4.78 4.78 6.35 5.54 9.53 12.7 9.53 22.23 28.58 12.7

26 600 610 5.54 5.54 6.35 6.35 9.53 14.27 17.48 9.53 9.53 24.61 30.96 12.7 12.7
 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O

27 650 660 7.92 12.7 9.53 12.7

28 700 711 7.92 12.7 15.88 9.53 12.7

29 750 762 6.35 6.35 7.92 7.92 12.7 15.88 9.53 12.7

30 800 813 7.92 12.7 15.88 17.48 9.53 12.7

31 850 864 7.92 12.7 15.88 17.48 9.53 12.7

32 900 914 7.92 12.7 15.88 19.05 9.53 12.7

33 950 965 9.53 12.7

34 1000 1016 9.53 12.7

35 1050 1067 9.53 12.7

36 1100 1118 9.53 12.7

37 1150 1168 9.53 12.7

 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O

38 1200 1219 9.53 12.7

39 DN OD 5 5s 10 10s 20 30 40 40s Std 60 80 80s XS

in

mm

40 ASME B36.10M-2015: Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe

41 ASME B36.19M-2004: Stainless Steel Pipe (For 5S,10S,40S and 80S)

Nominal Pipe Size OD

Nominal Pipe Size Nominal Pipe Size

Nominal in Inch DN in mm
OD in Inch OD in mm

1/8 10.3 6 10.3

1/4 13.7 8 13.7

3/8 17.1 10 17.1

1/2 21.3 15 21.3

3/4 26.7 20 26.7

1 33.4 25 33.4

1.25 42.2 32 42.2

1.5 48.3 40 48.3

2 60.3 50 60.3

2.5 73 65 73

3 88.9 80 88.9

3.5 101.6 90 101.6

4 114.3 100 114.3

5 141.3 125 141.3

6 168.3 150 168.3

8 219.1 200 219.1

10 273.1 250 273.1

12 323.8 300 323.8

14 14 350 355.6

16 16 400 406.4

18 18 450 457

20 20 500 508
22 22 550 559

24 24 600 610

26 26 650 660

28 28 700 711

30 30 750 762

32 32 800 813

34 34 850 864

36 36 900 914

38 38 950 965

40 40 1000 1016
 42 42 1050 1067

44 44 1100 1118

46 46 1150 1168

48 48 1200 121

You can calculate Pipe Inside Diameter (ID) with the help of Outside Diameter (OD) and
Thickness of the pipe by using formula given below.

Pipe ID = [Pipe O.D. – (2×Pipe wall thickness)]

Dimension Tolerance for Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel Pipe Sizes and Schedule As per
ASTM A530/A530M-12 and ASTM A999/A999M-15

Common dimension tolerances are listed in ASTM A530. However, each product has its own
requirements and when given in that specification that will govern over the A530.

Description Size Over Under

NPS 12 (DN 300) and

Weight 10% 3.50%
under

Weight 10% 5%
NPS 14 (DN 350) and
 above (Note-1)

Wall Thickness

1⁄8 to 2 ½, incl., all t/D

20.00% 12.50%
ratios (Note-2)

3 to 18 incl., t/D up to 5
22.50% 12.50%
% incl.

3 to 18 incl., t/D > 5 % 15.00% 12.50%

Seamless and

Welded Pipe
20 and larger, welded, all
17.50% 12.50%
t/D ratios (Note-3)

20 and larger, seamless,

22.50% 12.50%
t/D up to 5 % incl.

15.00% 12.50%
20 and larger, seamless,
 t/D > 5 %

Forged and 1/8

Nil
Bored Pipe in.(3.2mm)

1/6
Cast Pipe Nil
in.(1.6mm)

Inside Diameter
Nil 1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm)
for Cast Pipe

Outside Diameter (Note-4)

1⁄64 in.
1⁄8 to 11⁄2, incl 1/32 in. (0.8mm)
(0.4mm)

DiameterOutside

1/32
Over 1 ½ to 4, incl 1/32 in. (0.8mm)
in. (0.8mm)
 1/16 in.
Over 4 to 8, inc 1/32 in. (0.8mm)
(1.6mm)

3/32 in.
Over 8 to 18, incl 1/32 in. (0.8mm)
(2.4mm)

1/8
Over 18 to 26, incl 1/32 in. (0.8mm)
in. (3.2mm)

5/32 in.
Over 26 to 34, incl 1/32 in. (0.8mm)
(4.0mm)

3/8 in.
Over 34 1/32 in. (0.8mm)
(4.8mm)

 Note-1: Pipe of NPS 4 (DN 100) and smaller may be weighed in lots; pipe in sizes larger than
NPS 4 (DN 100) shall be weighed separately.
 Note-2: t = Nominal wall thickness. D = Outside diameter.
 Note-3: For welded pipe, the weld area shall not be limited by the over tolerance.
 Note-4: For thin-wall pipe, the ovality in any one cross-section shall not exceed 1.5 % of the
specified outside diameter.

Pipe Schedule Chart – Pocket Chart in Inches and MM