Nominal Pipe Size - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size

ominal Pipe Size

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ominal Pipe Size (NPS) is a North American set of standard sizes for pipes used for
high or low pressures and temperatures.[1] Pipe size is specified with two Contents
non-dimensional numbers: a nominal pipe size (NPS) based on inches, and a schedule
(Sched. or Sch.). NPS is often incorrectly called National Pipe Size, due to confusion 1 History
with national pipe thread (NPT). For other pipe size standards, see pipe (material) - 2 Application
sizes. The European designation equivalent to NPS is D (diamètre nominal/nominal 3 NPS tables for selected sizes
diameter), in which sizes are measured in millimetres.[2] The term B (nominal bore) is 3.1 NPS ⅛ to NPS 3½
also frequently used interchangeably with NPS. 3.2 NPS 4 to NPS 9
3.3 NPS 10 to NPS 24
History 4 See also
5 Sources
6 References
In March 1927, the American Standards Association authorized a committee to
standardize the dimensions of wrought steel and wrought iron pipe and tubing. At that
time only a small selection of wall thicknesses were in use: standard weight (STD),
extra-strong (XS), and double extra-strong (XXS), based on the iron pipe size (IPS) system of the day. However these three sizes
did not fit all applications. The committee surveyed the industry and created a system of schedule numbers that designated wall
thicknesses based on smaller steps between sizes,[3] although IPS and NPS numbers remain equivalent.

The original intent was that each schedule would relate to a given pressure rating, however the numbers deviated so far from wall
thicknesses in common use that this original intent could not be accomplished.[3][4] Also, in 1939, it was hoped that the
designations of STD, XS, and XXS would be phased out by schedule numbers, however those original terms are still in common use
today (although sometimes referred to as standard, extra-heavy (XH), and double extra-heavy (XXH), respectively). Since the
original schedules were created, there have been many revisions and additions to the tables of pipe sizes based on industry use and
on standards from API, ASTM, and others.[3]

Stainless steel pipes, which were coming into more common use in the mid 20th century, permitted the use of thinner pipe walls
with much less risk of failure due to corrosion. By 1949 thinner schedules 5S and 10S, which were based on the pressure
requirements modified to the nearest BWG number, had been created, and other "S" sizes followed later. Due to their thin walls,
the smaller "S" sizes can not be threaded together according to ASME code, but must be fusion welded.[5]

Application
Based on the NPS and schedule of a pipe, the pipe outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness can be obtained from reference tables
such as those below, which are based on ASME standards B36.10M and B36.19M. For example, NPS 14 Sch 40 has an OD of 14
inches and a wall thickness of 0.437 inches. However the NPS and OD values are not always equal, which can create confusion.

For NPS ⅛ to 12 inches, the NPS and OD values are different. For example, the OD of an NPS 12 pipe is actually 12.75
inches. To find the actual OD for each NPS value, refer to the tables below. (Note that for tubing, the size is always the
actual OD.)
For NPS 14 inches and up, the NPS and OD values are equal. In other words, an NPS 14 pipe is actually 14 inches OD.

The reason for the discrepancy for NPS ⅛ to 12 inches is that these NPS values were originally set to give the same inside diameter
(ID) based on wall thicknesses standard at the time. However, as the set of available wall thicknesses evolved, the ID changed and
NPS became only indirectly related to ID and OD.

For a given NPS, the OD stays fixed and the wall thickness increases with schedule. For a given schedule, the OD increases with
NPS while the wall thickness stays constant or increases. Using equations and rules in ASME B31.3 Process Piping, it can be shown
that pressure rating decreases with increasing NPS and constant schedule.[4]

Some specifications use pipe schedules called standard wall (STD), extra strong (XS), and double extra strong (XXS), although
these actually belong to an older system called iron pipe size (IPS). The IPS number is the same as the NPS number. STD is

1 of 4 27/03/2009 11:39 AM
Nominal Pipe Size - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size

identical to SCH 40S, and 40S is identical to 40 for NPS 1/8 to NPS 10, inclusive. XS is identical to SCH 80S, and 80S is identical to
80 for NPS 1/8 to NPS 8, inclusive. Different definitions exist for XXS, but it is generally thicker than schedule 160.

The "S" designation, for example "NPS Sch 10S", most often indicates stainless steel pipes. However some stainless steel pipes are
available in steel designations, so strictly speaking the "S" designation only differentiates B36.19M pipe from B36.10M pipe.[1]

Both polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe (CPVC) are made in NPS sizes.

PS tables for selected sizes

PS ⅛ to
PS 3½

OD Wall Thickness
[6] D
inches inches (millimeters)

PS mm
(millimeters) SCH 5 SCH 10 SCH 30 SCH 40 SCH 80 SCH 120 XXS
0.405 in 0.035 in 0.049 in 0.057 in 0.068 in 0.095 in
⅛ 6 --- ---
(10.29 mm) (0.889 mm) (1.245 mm) (1.448 mm) (1.727 mm) (2.413 mm)
0.540 in 0.049 in 0.065 in 0.073 in 0.088 in 0.119 in
¼ 8 --- ---
(13.72 mm) (1.245 mm) (1.651 mm) (1.854 mm) (2.235 mm) (3.023 mm)
0.675 in 0.049 in 0.065 in 0.073 in 0.091 in 0.126 in
⅜ 10 --- ---
(17.15 mm) (1.245 mm) (1.651 mm) (1.854 mm) (2.311 mm) (3.200 mm)
0.840 in 0.065 in 0.083 in 0.095 in 0.109 in 0.147 in 0.170 in 0.294 in
½ 15
(21.34 mm) (1.651 mm) (2.108 mm) (2.413 mm) (2.769 mm) (3.734 mm) (4.318 mm) (7.468 mm)
1.050 in 0.065 in 0.083 in 0.095 in 0.113 in 0.154 in 0.308 in
¾ 20 ---
(26.67 mm) (1.651 mm) (2.108 mm) (2.413 mm) (2.870 mm) (3.912 mm) (7.823 mm)
1.315 in 0.065 in 0.109 in 0.114 in 0.133 in 0.179 in 0.358 in
1 25 ---
(33.40 mm) (1.651 mm) (2.769 mm) (2.896 mm) (3.378 mm) (4.547 mm) (9.093 mm)
1.660 in 0.065 in 0.109 in 0.117 in 0.140 in 0.191 in 0.382 in
1¼ 32 ---
(42.16 mm) (1.651 mm) (2.769 mm) (2.972 mm) (3.556 mm) (4.851 mm) (9.703 mm)
1.900 in 0.065 in 0.109 in 0.125 in 0.145 in 0.200 in 0.400 in
1½ 40 ---
(48.26 mm) (1.651 mm) (2.769 mm) (3.175 mm) (3.683 mm) (5.080 mm) (10.160 mm)
2.375 in 0.065 in 0.109 in 0.125 in 0.154 in 0.218 in 0.250 in 0.436 in
2 50
(60.33 mm) (1.651 mm) (2.769 mm) (3.175 mm) (3.912 mm) (5.537 mm) (6.350 mm) (11.074 mm)
2.875 in 0.083 in 0.120 in 0.188 in 0.203 in 0.276 in 0.300 in 0.552 in
2½ 65
(73.02 mm) (2.108 mm) (3.048 mm) (4.775 mm) (5.156 mm) (7.010 mm) (7.620 mm) (14.021 mm)
3.500 in 0.083 in 0.120 in 0.188 in 0.216 in 0.300 in 0.350 in 0.600 in
3 80
(88.90 mm) (2.108 mm) (3.048 mm) (4.775 mm) (5.486 mm) (7.620 mm) (8.890 mm) (15.240 mm)
4.000 in 0.083 in 0.120 in 0.188 in 0.226 in 0.318 in 0.636 in
3½ 90 ---
(101.60 mm) (2.108 mm) (3.048 mm) (4.775 mm) (5.740 mm) (8.077 mm) (16.154 mm)

PS 4 to
PS 9

Wall Thickness
OD inches (millimeters)
D


PS[6] mm inches
(millimeters) SCH
SCH 5 SCH 10 SCH 20 SCH 30 SCH 60 SCH 80 SCH 100
40/STD
4.500 in 0.083 in 0.120 in 0.188 in 0.237 in 0.281 in 0.337 in
4 100 --- ---
(114.30 mm) (2.108 mm) (3.048 mm) (4.775 mm) (6.020 mm) (7.137 mm) (8.560 mm)
5.000 in 0.247 in 0.355 in
4½ 115 --- --- --- --- --- ---
(127.00 mm) (6.274 mm) (9.017 mm)
5.563 in 0.109 in 0.134 in 0.258 in 0.375 in
5 125 --- --- --- ---
(141.30 mm) (2.769 mm) (3.404 mm) (6.553 mm) (9.525 mm)

2 of 4 27/03/2009 11:39 AM
Nominal Pipe Size - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size

6.625 in 0.109 in 0.134 in 0.280 in 0.432 in

6 150 --- --- --- ---
(168.27 mm) (2.769 mm) (3.404 mm) (7.112 mm) (10.973 mm)
8.625 in 0.109 in 0.148 in 0.250 in 0.277 in 0.322 in 0.406 in 0.500 in 0.593 in
8 200
(219.08 mm) (2.769 mm) (3.759 mm) (6.350 mm) (7.036 mm) (8.179 mm) (10.312 mm) (12.700 mm) (15.062 mm)

PS 10 to
PS 24

OD Wall Thickness
[6] D
inches inches (millimeters)

PS mm
(millimeters) SCH 5s SCH 5 SCH 10s SCH 10 SCH 20 SCH 30
10.75 in 0.134 in 0.134 in 0.165 in 0.165 in 0.250 in 0.307 in
10 250
(273.05 mm) (3.404 mm) (3.404 mm) (4.191 mm) (4.191 mm) (6.350 mm) (7.798 mm)
12.75 in 0.156 in 0.165 in 0.180 in 0.180 in 0.250 in 0.330 in
12 300
(323.85 mm) (3.962 mm) (4.191 mm) (4.572 mm) (4.572 mm) (6.350 mm) (8.382 mm)
14.00 in 0.156 in 0.156 in 0.188 in 0.250 in 0.312 in 0.375 in
14 350
(355.60 mm) (3.962 mm) (3.962 mm) (4.775 mm) (6.350 mm) (7.925 mm) (9.525 mm)
16.00 in 0.165 in 0.165 in 0.188 in 0.250 in 0.312 in 0.375 in
16 400
(406.40 mm) (4.191 mm) (4.191 mm) (4.775 mm) (6.350 mm) (7.925 mm) (9.525 mm)
18.00 in 0.165 in 0.165 in 0.188 in 0.250 in 0.312 in 0.437 in
18 450
(457.20 mm) (4.191 mm) (4.191 mm) (4.775 mm) (6.350 mm) (7.925 mm) (11.100 mm)
20.00 in 0.188 in 0.188 in 0.218 in 0.250 in 0.375 in 0.500 in
20 500
(508.00 mm) (4.775 mm) (4.775 mm) (5.537 mm) (6.350 mm) (9.525 mm) (12.700 mm)
24.00 in 0.218 in 0.218 in 0.250 in 0.250 in 0.375 in 0.562 in
24 600
(609.60 mm) (5.537 mm) (5.537 mm) (6.350 mm) (6.350 mm) (9.525 mm) (14.275 mm)

Wall Thickness
[6] inches (millimeters)

PS
SCH 40s SCH 40 SCH 60 SCH 80s SCH 80 SCH 100 SCH 120 SCH 140 SCH 160
0.365 in 0.365 in 0.500 in 0.500 in 0.593 in 0.718 in 0.843 in 1.000 in 1.125 in
10
(9.271 mm) (9.271 mm) (12.700 mm) (12.700 mm) (15.062 mm) (18.237 mm) (21.412 mm) (25.400 mm) (28.575 mm)
0.375 in 0.406 in 0.500 in 0.500 in 0.687 in 0.843 in 1.000 in 1.125 in 1.312 in
12
(9.525 mm) (10.312 mm) (12.700 mm) (12.700 mm) (17.450 mm) (21.412 mm) (25.400 mm) (28.575 mm) (33.325 mm)
0.375 in 0.437 in 0.593 in 0.500 in 0.750 in 0.937 in 1.093 in 1.250 in 1.406 in
14
(9.525 mm) (11.100 mm) (15.062 mm) (12.700 mm) (19.050 mm) (23.800 mm) (27.762 mm) (31.750 mm) (35.712 mm)
0.375 in 0.500 in 0.656 in 0.500 in 0.843 in 1.031 in 1.218 in 1.437 in 1.593 in
16
(9.525 mm) (12.700 mm) (16.662 mm) (12.700 mm) (21.412 mm) (26.187 mm) (30.937 mm) (36.500 mm) (40.462 mm)
0.375 in 0.562 in 0.750 in 0.500 in 0.937 in 1.156 in 1.375 in 1.562 in 1.781 in
18
(9.525 mm) (14.275 mm) (19.050 mm) (12.700 mm) (23.800 mm) (29.362 mm) (34.925 mm) (39.675 mm) (45.237 mm)
0.375 in 0.593 in 0.812 in 0.500 in 1.031 in 1.280 in 1.500 in 1.750 in 1.968 in
20
(9.525 mm) (15.062 mm) (20.625 mm) (12.700 mm) (26.187 mm) (32.512 mm) (38.100 mm) (44.450 mm) (49.987 mm)
0.375 in 0.687 in 0.968 in 0.500 in 1.218 in 1.531 in 1.812 in 2.062 in 2.343 in
24
(9.525 mm) (17.450 mm) (24.587 mm) (12.700 mm) (30.937 mm) (38.887 mm) (46.025 mm) (52.375 mm) (59.512 mm)

Note: --- = size not designated.

See also
British standard pipe sizes
British standard pipe thread sizes
Pipe sizes

3 of 4 27/03/2009 11:39 AM
Nominal Pipe Size - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size

Sources
Oberg, Erik; Franklin D. Jones, Holbrook L. Horton, and Henry H. Ryffel (2000). ed. Christopher J. McCauley, Riccardo
Heald, and Muhammed Iqbal Hussain. ed. Machinery's Handbook (26th Edition ed.). New York: Industrial Press Inc.. ISBN
0-8311-2635-3.
Nayyar, P.E., Mohinder L. (2000). "A1". in Mohinder L. Nayyar, P.E.. Piping Handbook (7th ed.). New York:
McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-047106-1.
Engineering Department (1988). Flow of Fluids Through Valves, Fittings, and Pipe (Technical Paper o. 410) (25th
Printing—1991 ed.). Joliet, IL: Crane Co..
ASME B36.10M - Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe.
A SI/ASME Standard 36.19M - Stainless Steel Pipe.
A SI/ASTM Reference R0036 - Stainless Steel Pipe.

References
1. ^ a b ASME B36.10M-2004, p. 1
2. ^ NPS - "Nominal Pipe Size" and DN - "Diamètre Nominale" (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/nps-nominal-pipe-sizes-
d_45.html) , EngineeringToolbox.com
3. ^ a b c ASME B36.10M-2004, p. iv
4. ^ a b This is contrary to the McGraw Hill Piping Handbook, which says that the schedule number can be converted to
pressure by dividing the schedule by 1000 and multiplying by the allowable stress of the material. [Nayyar and Mohinder,
2000.]
5. ^ ASME Standard 36.19M-2004, p. iv
6. ^ a b c d Table of Pipe Schedules (http://www.engineersedge.com/pipe_schedules.htm) from EngineersEdge.com. Table
shows additional schedules, sizes and sizes greater than 24".

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size"

Categories: Piping | Mechanical standards

This page was last modified on 24 February 2009, at 17:54.

All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.)
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit
charity.

4 of 4 27/03/2009 11:39 AM