PVC pipe Size & Dimension
PVC Pipes are widely used for various applications, including water mains, irrigation, and sewage pipes. They have many beneficial properties: long-lasting, easy to install, strong, durable, lightweight, cost-efficient, and sustainable. However, it is important to know their sizes and dimensions when selecting a PVC pipe for specific use.
What Are PVC pipe Size and PVC Pipe Dimension?
Pipes made from PVC plastic are measured in a nominal system. Meaning that all the measurements are based on the types of structures rather than specific measurements.
For example, 0.84 measured from one pipe’s end to another is categorized as one-inch pipe.
PVC pipes vary in size and are classified into three types- schedule 40, schedule 80 and schedule 120.
To avoid cost overruns, misuse, plumbing malfunctions, and project delays, it’s essential and helpful for you to do thorough research and find the right product fit.
How is PVC Pipe Measured?
A size measurement table fo r Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC Pipes.
Measurement | Outer Diameter(OD) |
0.84” | ½” |
1.05” | ¾” |
1.315” | 1” |
1.66” | 1 ¼” |
1.9” | 1 ½” |
2.375” | 2” |
3.5” | 3” |
4” | 3 ½” |
4.5” | 4” |
5.563” | 5” |
6.625” | 6” |
8.625” | 8” |
10.75” | 10” |
Pipe measurements are calculated on a nominal scale. Meaning that measurements are characterized by structures at hand rather than actual scale measurements.
Below a step-by-step explanation to help you select the correct size of pipes you need.
1, keep the pipe on a hard surface with one end facing you.
2, Take a tape or ruler to measure your pipe’s right outer edge to its left outer edge. Maintain your ruler straight and level to get an accurate measurement.
3, Now compares “your measurement” with the “Average OD” in the above chart.
4, Choose the pipes based on the Average OD your measurement was paired with.
Take note: these measurements are concerned with the outer edge of the pipe, not the inner. Therefore, your outer edge may change depending on your required pipe schedule.
Schedule 40 PVC Pipe Dimension And More.
Nominal Pipe Size( Inches) | Outside Diameter(OD) | Min.Wall Thickness | Inside Diameter(ID) | Linear Weight Density(Wt./Ft.) |
1/8 | 0.405 | 0.068 | 0.249 | 0.051 |
1/4 | 0.54 | 0.086 | 0.344 | 0.086 |
3/8 | 0.675 | 0.091 | 0473 | 0.115 |
1/2 | 0.84 | 0.109 | 0.602 | 0.17 |
3/4 | 1.05 | 0.113 | 0.804 | 0.226 |
1 | 1.315 | 0.133 | 1.029 | 0.333 |
1-1/4 | 1.66 | 0.14 | 1.36 | 0.45 |
1-1/2 | 1.9 | 0.145 | 1.59 | 0.537 |
2 | 2.375 | 0.154 | 2.047 | 0.72 |
2-1/2 | 2.875 | 0.203 | 2.445 | 1.136 |
3 | 3.5 | 0.216 | 3.042 | 1.488 |
3-1/2 | 4 | 0.226 | 3.521 | 1.789 |
4 | 4.5 | 0.237 | 3.998 | 2.118 |
5 | 5.563 | 0.258 | 5.016 | 2.874 |
6 | 6.625 | 0.28 | 6.031 | 3.733 |
8 | 8.625 | 0.322 | 7.942 | 5.619 |
10 | 10.75 | 0.365 | 9.976 | 7.966 |
12 | 12.75 | 0.406 | 11.889 | 10.534 |
14 | 14 | 0.437 | 13.073 | 12.462 |
16 | 16 | 0.5 | 14.94 | 16.286 |
18 | 18 | 0.562 | 16.809 | 20.587 |
20 | 20 | 0.593 | 18.763 | 24.183 |
24 | 24 | 0.687 | 22.544 | 33.652 |
Schedule 40 pipes are generally white or silver but can be found in different colors.
The specialty of these pipes is that they are thinner than the 80s and 120s, making the liquid pass through faster than other pipes.
These pipes can also withstand tremendous pressure; as far as the heat resistance capacity is concerned, all three schedules can resist up to 140 degrees.
The most common application of Schedule 40 PVC pipes can be found as drainage around buildings, golf course construction, potable water lines, pools, spas, and gas lines.
The pressure-withstanding capacity of those pipes is 120 to 810 pounds per second inch (PSI)
Schedule 80 PVC Pipe Dimension and more
Nominal Pipe Size(inch) | Outer Diameter(OD) | Min. Wall Thickness | Inside Diameter(ID) | Linear Weight Density(Wt./Ft.) |
1/8 | 0.405 | 0.095 | 0.195 | 0.068 |
1/4 | 0.54 | 0.119 | 0.288 | 0.11 |
3/8 | 0.675 | 0.126 | 0.407 | 0.152 |
1/2 | 0.84 | 0.147 | 0.546 | 0.225 |
3/4 | 1.05 | 0.154 | 0.742 | 0.306 |
1 | 1.315 | 0.179 | 0.956 | 0.45 |
1-1/4 | 1.66 | 1.191 | 1.278 | 0.621 |
1-1/2 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 0.754 |
2 | 2.375 | 0.217 | 1.939 | 1.043 |
2-1/2 | 2.875 | 0.276 | 2.29 | 1.594 |
3 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 2.863 | 2.132 |
4 | 4.5 | 0.337 | 3.786 | 3.116 |
6 | 6.624 | 0.432 | 5,708 | 5,951 |
8 | 8.625 | 0.5 | 7.565 | 9.04 |
10 | 10.75 | 0.593 | 9.492 | 13.413 |
12 | 12.75 | 0.687 | 11.294 | 18.44 |
14 | 12 | 0.75 | 12.41 | 22.119 |
16 | 16 | 0.843 | 14.212 | 28.424 |
18 | 18 | 0.937 | 16.014 | 36.487 |
20 | 20 | 1.031 | 17.814 | 44.648 |
24 | 24 | 1.218 | 21.418 | 36.341 |
Schedule 80 pipes are thicker than the 40s but still not the thickest. It is manufactured to be stronger and thicker than Schedule 40 pipes and processes a higher pressure withstanding capacity of 210 to 1230 PSI.
These pipes are generally dark grey but may vary.
The most common applications are industrial plating, chemical processing, wastewater treatment management and deionized water lines.
FAQS
Below are the frequently asked questions on PVC pipe sizes. Let’s dig deep to know more.
Is PVC piping better than copper?
Contrary to copper pipes, PVC pipes can resist corrosion as they are plastic and thicker than copper pipes; they can also withstand a good amount of pressure and impact. In addition, PVC pipes are better placed in high-traffic areas as it’s not a good heat conductor like copper.
How much weight can PVC pipe hold?
Most PVC pipes can hold at least 28 pounds of weight before they start bending. However, sometimes longer PVC pipes begin to bend under their weight. A prime rule of trumb is never to use PVC pipes to hold larger quantities of weight, especially if you don’t want them to become stiff.
What is the lifespan of PVC pipes?
The lifespan of a general PVC pipe is about 50-80 years.
What is the difference between PVC and HDPE pipes?
Although perceived to be too similar, PVC ad HDPE pipes have a fair share of difference to make them distinguishable. PVC is durable vinyl polymer, whereas HDPE is a polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum. Both pipes are used extensively worldwide and are almost comparable with properties applications barring some subtle difference. When examining extreme situations like rain, wind, stress, heat, and cold, HDPE is more resilient.