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Selecting and Measuring Pipe Fittings & Pipe

Thread Type Compatibility
In order for two components to fit properly, thread types must be compatible. See the list below for thread types that can be used together.
Tapered Threads Compatibility
NPT—National Pipe Taper (Note: MPT and FPT Female NPT can be used with Male NPT and Male NPTF threads
are NPT threads; the “M” indicates male and the “F”
Male NPT can be used with the following Female threads: NPT, NPTF, NPSM,
indicates female) NPSH, NPSL, and NPSC
NPTF—National Pipe Tapered Fine Female NPTF can be used with Male NPTF and Male NPT threads
(Note: NPTF threads are also known as Dryseal)Male NPTF can be used with the following Female threads: NPTF, NPT, NPSM and NPSH
BSPT—British Standard Pipe Taper Female BSPT can be used with Male BSPT threads
(also known as R threads) Male BSPT can be used with Female BSPT and Female BSPP threads
Straight (Parallel) Threads Compatibility
Female NPSM can be used with Male NPSM, Male NPT, and Male NPTF threads
NPSM—National Pipe Straight Mechanical
Male NPSM can be used with Female NPSM and Female NPSH threads
Female NPSH can be used with the following Male threads: NPSH, NPT, NPTF, and NPSM
NPSH—National Pipe Straight Hose
Male NPSH can be used with Female NPSH threads
NPSL—National Pipe Straight Locknut Female NPSL can be used with Male NPT threads
NPSC—National Pipe Straight Coupling Female NPSC can be used with Male NPT threads
BSPP—British Standard Pipe Parallel Female BSPP can be used with Male BSPP and Male BSPT threads
(also known as G threads) Male BSPP can be used with Female BSPP threads
NH/NST—National Hose/National Standard Thread NH/NST threads can only be used with other NH/NST threads
GHT—Garden Hose Thread GHT threads can only be used with other GHT threads
UN/UNF—Unified UN/UNF threads can only be used with other UN/UNF threads
Metric Thread DIN 3852 DIN 3852 threads can only be used with other DIN 3852 threads
Metric Thread DIN 3901/3902 DIN 3901/3902 threads can only be used with other DIN 3901/3902 threads

NPT vs. BSP (British Standard Pipe)

While NPT threads are common in the United States, Most NPT and BSP threads also have different 1
BSP threads are widely used in many other countries. pitches (threads per inch), which are listed below. To
There are two types of BSP threads: BSPT (British determine pitch, either count the number of threads
Standard Pipe Taper) and BSPP (British Standard Pipe that fall into a 1⬙ span or use a thread gauge for a pre-
Parallel). Both styles have the same thread angle, shape, cise measurement. 8 Threads per Inch
and pitch (threads per inch), however, BSPT threads are
tapered and BSPP threads are straight (parallel). Pitch Pitch Pitch
NPT and BSP threads are not compatible due to the dif- Pipe (Threads/Inch) Pipe (Threads/Inch) Pipe (Threads/Inch)
ferences in their threads. NPT threads are set at a 60° Size NPT BSP Size NPT BSP Size NPT BSP
angle and have flattened peaks and valleys; BSP threads 1⁄16⬙ 3⁄ 4⬙
are set at a 55° angle and have rounded peaks and valleys. 27 14 14 3⬙ 8 11
1⁄8⬙ 27 28 1⬙ 111⁄2 11 3 1⁄ 2⬙ 8 11
NPT BSPT/BSPP 1⁄4⬙ 18 19 1 1⁄ 4⬙ 111⁄2 11 4⬙ 8 11
3⁄8⬙ 18 19 11⁄2⬙ 111⁄2 11 5⬙ 8 11
60° 55°
1⁄2⬙ 14 14 2⬙ 111⁄2 11 6⬙ 8 11
Flattened Peaks Rounded Peaks
5⁄8⬙ 14 2 1⁄ 2⬙ 8 11 8⬙ 8
and Valleys and Valleys

Unthreaded Pipe Dimensions and Schedule

Metal pipe, plastic pipe, and plastic pipe fittings are generally
rated by schedule, which refers to the wall thickness. Metal pipe
fittings, however, are generally rated by psi (pounds per square
inch), which refers to the amount of pressure a fitting can endure.
The following information applies to both metal and plastic pipe, as
well as plastic pipe fittings. Thin wall (Schedule 10) is our lightest
weight pipe. Standard wall (Schedule 40) is a popular choice because
it’s great for all-around use. Thick wall (Schedule 80) is perfect for
high-pressure applications where greater mechanical strength is
required. Extra-thick wall (Schedule 160) is designed for your
most demanding applications where pressures are high.
Note: Due to different manufacturing methods and tolerances,
the pipe ID and wall thickness specifications on your pipe may
vary slightly from what’s shown below.

Actual Thin Wall Standard Wall Thick Wall Extra-Thick Wall

Pipe Unthreaded (Schedule 10) (Schedule 40) (Schedule 80) (Schedule 160)
Size Pipe OD Pipe ID Wall Thick. Pipe ID Wall Thick. Pipe ID Wall Thick. Pipe ID Wall Thick.
1⁄ 8⬙ 0.405⬙ 0.307⬙ 0.049⬙ 0.269⬙ 0.068⬙ 0.215⬙ 0.095⬙
1⁄ 4⬙ 0.540⬙ 0.410⬙ 0.065⬙ 0.364⬙ 0.088⬙ 0.302⬙ 0.119⬙
3⁄ 8⬙ 0.675⬙ 0.545⬙ 0.065⬙ 0.493⬙ 0.091⬙ 0.423⬙ 0.126⬙
1⁄ 2⬙ 0.840⬙ 0.674⬙ 0.083⬙ 0.622⬙ 0.109⬙ 0.546⬙ 0.147⬙ 0.466⬙ 0.187⬙
3⁄ 4⬙ 1.050⬙ 0.884⬙ 0.083⬙ 0.824⬙ 0.113⬙ 0.742⬙ 0.154⬙ 0.614⬙ 0.218⬙
1⬙ 1.315⬙ 1.097⬙ 0.109⬙ 1.049⬙ 0.133⬙ 0.957⬙ 0.179⬙ 0.815⬙ 0.250⬙
1 1⁄ 4⬙ 1.660⬙ 1.442⬙ 0.109⬙ 1.380⬙ 0.140⬙ 1.278⬙ 0.191⬙ 1.160⬙ 0.250⬙
1 1⁄ 2⬙ 1.900⬙ 1.682⬙ 0.109⬙ 1.610⬙ 0.145⬙ 1.500⬙ 0.200⬙ 1.338⬙ 0.281⬙
2⬙ 2.375⬙ 2.157⬙ 0.109⬙ 2.067⬙ 0.154⬙ 1.939⬙ 0.218⬙ 1.689⬙ 0.343⬙
2 1⁄ 2⬙ 2.875⬙ 2.635⬙ 0.120⬙ 2.469⬙ 0.203⬙ 2.323⬙ 0.276⬙ 2.125⬙ 0.375⬙
3⬙ 3.500⬙ 3.260⬙ 0.120⬙ 3.068⬙ 0.216⬙ 2.900⬙ 0.300⬙ 2.626⬙ 0.437⬙
4⬙ 4.500⬙ 4.260⬙ 0.120⬙ 4.026⬙ 0.237⬙ 3.826⬙ 0.337⬙ 3.438⬙ 0.531⬙
5⬙ 5.563⬙ 5.295⬙ 0.134⬙ 5.047⬙ 0.258⬙ 4.813⬙ 0.375⬙ 4.313⬙ 0.625⬙
6⬙ 6.625⬙ 6.357⬙ 0.134⬙ 6.065⬙ 0.280⬙ 5.761⬙ 0.432⬙ 5.189⬙ 0.718⬙
8⬙ 8.625⬙ 8.329⬙ 0.148⬙ 7.981⬙ 0.322⬙ 7.625⬙ 0.500⬙ 6.813⬙ 0.906⬙