Nominal Pipe Size

Nominal Pipe Size

Nominal 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 non-dimensional numbers: a nominal pipe size (NPS) for diameter
based on inches, and a schedule (Sched. or Sch.) for wall thickness. NPS is often incorrectly called National Pipe
Size, due to confusion with national pipe thread (NPT). The European designation equivalent to NPS is DN
(diamtre nominal/nominal diameter), in which sizes are measured in millimetres.<ref [2] The term NB (nominal
bore) is also frequently used interchangeably with NPS.

History
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 14inches and a wall thickness of 0.437inches. However the NPS and OD values are
not always equal, which can create confusion.
For NPS to 12inches, the NPS and OD values are different. For example, the OD of an NPS 12 pipe is actually
12.75inches. 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 14inches and up, the NPS and OD values are equal. In other words, an NPS 14 pipe is actually
14inches OD.
The reason for the discrepancy for NPS to 12inches 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]

Nominal Pipe Size

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 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. XXS wall is thicker than schedule
160 from NPS 1/8" to NPS 6" inclusive, and schedule 160 is thicker than XXS wall for NPS 8" and larger.
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.

NPS tables for selected sizes

NPS to NPS 3
[6]

NPS

DN
[2]

OD
[in (mm)]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5

SCH
10s/10

SCH 30

SCH 40s/40 SCH 80s/80

/STD
/XS

SCH 120

SCH 160

XXS

0.405 (10.29) 0.035

(0.889)

0.049
(1.245)

0.057
(1.448)

0.068
(1.727)

0.095
(2.413)

0.540 (13.72) 0.049

(1.245)

0.065
(1.651)

0.073
(1.854)

0.088
(2.235)

0.119
(3.023)

10 0.675 (17.15) 0.049

(1.245)

0.065
(1.651)

0.073
(1.854)

0.091
(2.311)

0.126
(3.200)

15 0.840 (21.34) 0.065

(1.651)

0.083
(2.108)

0.095
(2.413)

0.109
(2.769)

0.147
(3.734)

0.188 (4.775) 0.294 (7.468)

20 1.050 (26.67) 0.065

(1.651)

0.083
(2.108)

0.095
(2.413)

0.113
(2.870)

0.154
(3.912)

0.219 (5.563) 0.308 (7.823)

25 1.315 (33.40) 0.065

(1.651)

0.109
(2.769)

0.114
(2.896)

0.133
(3.378)

0.179
(4.547)

0.250 (6.350) 0.358 (9.093)

32 1.660 (42.16) 0.065

(1.651)

0.109
(2.769)

0.117
(2.972)

0.140
(3.556)

0.191
(4.851)

0.250 (6.350) 0.382 (9.703)

40 1.900 (48.26) 0.065

(1.651)

0.109
(2.769)

0.125
(3.175)

0.145
(3.683)

0.200
(5.080)

0.281 (7.137) 0.400

(10.160)

50 2.375 (60.33) 0.065

(1.651)

0.109
(2.769)

0.125
(3.175)

0.154
(3.912)

0.218
(5.537)

0.250
(6.350)

0.343 (8.712) 0.436

(11.074)

65 2.875 (73.02) 0.083

(2.108)

0.120
(3.048)

0.188
(4.775)

0.203
(5.156)

0.276
(7.010)

0.300
(7.620)

0.375 (9.525) 0.552

(14.021)

80 3.500 (88.90) 0.083

(2.108)

0.120
(3.048)

0.188
(4.775)

0.216
(5.486)

0.300
(7.620)

0.350
(8.890)

0.438
(11.125)

0.600
(15.240)

90 4.000
(101.60)

0.120
(3.048)

0.188
(4.775)

0.226
(5.740)

0.318
(8.077)

0.636
(16.154)

0.083
(2.108)

Nominal Pipe Size

NPS 4 to NPS 9
[6]

NPS

DN
[2]

OD
[in
(mm)]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5

SCH
10s/10

SCH
20

SCH
30

SCH
40s/40
/STD

SCH 60

SCH
80s/80
/XS

SCH
100

SCH
120

SCH
140

SCH
160

[6]

XXS

4.500
0.083
0.120

100 (114.30) (2.108) (3.048)

0.188
0.237
0.281
(4.775) (6.020) (7.137)

0.337
(8.560)

0.437

(11.100)

0.531
0.674
(13.487) (17.120)

5.000

115 (127.00)

0.247

(6.274)

0.355
(9.017)

5.563
0.109
0.134

125 (141.30) (2.769) (3.404)

0.258

(6.553)

0.375
(9.525)

0.500

(12.700)

0.625
0.750
(15.875) (19.050)

6.625
0.109
0.134

150 (168.27) (2.769) (3.404)

0.280

(7.112)

0.432

(10.973)

0.562

(14.275)

0.718
0.864
(18.237) (21.946)

[6]

0.301

(7.645)

0.500

(12.700)

8.625
0.109
0.148
0.250
0.277
0.322
0.406
0.500
0.593
0.718
0.812
0.906
0.875
200 (219.08) (2.769) (3.759) (6.350) (7.036) (8.179) (10.312) (12.700) (15.062) (18.237) (20.625) (23.012) (22.225)

[6]

7.625

(193.68)

9.625

(244.48)

0.342

(8.687)

0.500

(12.700)

0.710
(18.034)

0.875
(22.225)

NPS 10 to NPS 24
[6]

NPS

DN
[2]

OD
[in (mm)]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5s

SCH 5

SCH 10s

SCH 10

SCH 20

SCH 30

SCH 40s/STD

10

250

10.75 (273.05) 0.134 (3.404) 0.134 (3.404) 0.165 (4.191) 0.165 (4.191) 0.250 (6.350) 0.307 (7.798)

0.365 (9.271)

12

300

12.75 (323.85) 0.156 (3.962) 0.165 (4.191) 0.180 (4.572) 0.180 (4.572) 0.250 (6.350) 0.330 (8.382)

0.375 (9.525)

14

350

14.00 (355.60) 0.156 (3.962) 0.156 (3.962) 0.188 (4.775) 0.250 (6.350) 0.312 (7.925) 0.375 (9.525)

0.375 (9.525)

16

400

16.00 (406.40) 0.165 (4.191) 0.165 (4.191) 0.188 (4.775) 0.250 (6.350) 0.312 (7.925) 0.375 (9.525)

0.375 (9.525)

18

450

18.00 (457.20) 0.165 (4.191) 0.165 (4.191) 0.188 (4.775) 0.250 (6.350) 0.312 (7.925) 0.437 (11.100) 0.375 (9.525)

20

500

20.00 (508.00) 0.188 (4.775) 0.188 (4.775) 0.218 (5.537) 0.250 (6.350) 0.375 (9.525) 0.500 (12.700) 0.375 (9.525)

24

600

24.00 (609.60) 0.218 (5.537) 0.218 (5.537) 0.250 (6.350) 0.250 (6.350) 0.375 (9.525) 0.562 (14.275) 0.375 (9.525)

Nominal Pipe Size

NPS

[6]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 40

SCH 60

SCH 80s/XS

SCH 80

SCH 100

SCH 120

SCH 140

SCH 160

10

0.365 (9.271)

0.500 (12.700) 0.500 (12.700) 0.593 (15.062) 0.718 (18.237) 0.843 (21.412) 1.000 (25.400) 1.125 (28.575)

12

0.406 (10.312) 0.500 (12.700) 0.500 (12.700) 0.687 (17.450) 0.843 (21.412) 1.000 (25.400) 1.125 (28.575) 1.312 (33.325)

14

0.437 (11.100) 0.593 (15.062) 0.500 (12.700) 0.750 (19.050) 0.937 (23.800) 1.093 (27.762) 1.250 (31.750) 1.406 (35.712)

16

0.500 (12.700) 0.656 (16.662) 0.500 (12.700) 0.843 (21.412) 1.031 (26.187) 1.218 (30.937) 1.437 (36.500) 1.593 (40.462)

18

0.562 (14.275) 0.750 (19.050) 0.500 (12.700) 0.937 (23.800) 1.156 (29.362) 1.375 (34.925) 1.562 (39.675) 1.781 (45.237)

20

0.593 (15.062) 0.812 (20.625) 0.500 (12.700) 1.031 (26.187) 1.280 (32.512) 1.500 (38.100) 1.750 (44.450) 1.968 (49.987)

24

0.687 (17.450) 0.968 (24.587) 0.500 (12.700) 1.218 (30.937) 1.531 (38.887) 1.812 (46.025) 2.062 (52.375) 2.343 (59.512)

NPS 26 to NPS 36
[6]

NPS

DN
[2]

OD
[in (mm)]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5s

SCH 10s

SCH 10

SCH 20

SCH 30

SCH
40s/STD

SCH 40

SCH
80s/XS

26

650 26.000
(660.400)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.375
(9.525)

0.500
(12.700)

28

700 28.000
(711.200)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375 (9.525)

30

750 30.000
(762.000)

0.250
(6.350)

0.312
(7.925)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375 (9.525)

0.500
(12.700)

32

800 32.000
(812.800)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375 (9.525)

0.688
(17.475)

0.500
(12.700)

34

850 34.000
(863.600)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375 (9.525)

0.688
(17.475)

36

900 36.000
(914.400)

0.312
(7.925)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375 (9.525)

0.750
(19.050)

Additional sizes (NPS)

NPS

DN
[2]

OD
[in (mm)]

Wall thickness [in (mm)]

22

550

22.000 (558.800)

40

1000

40.000 (1016.000) ?

42

1050

42.000 (1066.800) ?

44

1100

44.000 (1117.600) ?

48

1200

48.000 (1219.200) ?

52

1300

52.000 (1320.800) ?

56

1400

56.000 (1422.400) ?

60

1500

60.000 (1524.000) ?

64

1600

64.000 (1625.600) ?

0.500
(12.700)

Nominal Pipe Size

5
68

1700

68.000 (1727.200) ?

72

1800

72.000 (1828.800) ?

76

1900

76.000 (1930.400) ?

80

2000

80.000 (2032.000) ?

88

2200

88.000 (2235.200) ?

Notes
[1] ASME B36.10M-2004, p. 1
[2] NPS - "Nominal Pipe Size" and DN - "Diamtre Nominale" (http:/ / www. engineeringtoolbox. com/ nps-nominal-pipe-sizes-d_45. html),
EngineeringToolbox.com
[3] ASME B36.10M-2004, p. iv
[4] 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] Table of Pipe Schedules (http:/ / www. engineersedge. com/ pipe_schedules. htm) from EngineersEdge.com.

References
Bibliography
Nayyar, P.E., Mohinder L. (2000). "A1". In Mohinder L. Nayyar, P.E.. Piping Handbook (7th ed.). New York:
McGraw-Hill. ISBN0-07-047106-1.
ASME B36.10M - Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe.
ANSI/ASME Standard 36.19M - Stainless Steel Pipe.

External links
Notes on Pipe (http://www.gizmology.net/pipe.htm) -- PVC Pipe weights and max PSI
Quick calculator to determine standard pipe dimensions (http://www.enggcyclopedia.com/
welcome-to-enggcyclopedia/pipe-dim/standard-piping-dimensions-carbon-steel-stainless-steel-ansi) For Carbon
Steel and Stainless Steel pipes as per ANSI.
[* http://wordpress.novanumeric.com/?p=71] - Online Pipe Schedule Calculator

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

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