Selecting and Measuring Pipe & Fittings

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.
Thread Type
Tapered Threads
NPT—National Pipe Taper
(Also known as MPT and FPT threads)
NPTF—National Pipe Tapered Fuel
(Also known as Dryseal)
BSPT—British Standard Pipe Taper
(Also known as R threads and 55° Whitworth)
Straight (Parallel) Threads
BSPP—British Standard Pipe Parallel
(Also known as G threads and 55° Whitworth)
NPSM—National Pipe Straight Mechanical
NPSH—National Pipe Straight Hose
NPSL—National Pipe Straight Locknut
NPSC—National Pipe Straight Coupling
NH/NST—National Hose/National Standard Thread
GHT—Garden Hose Thread
UN/UNF—Unified
Metric Thread DIN 3852
Metric Thread DIN 3901/3902
Compatibility
Male threads work with female NPT, NPTF, NPSM, NPSH, NPSL, and NPSC.
Female threads work with male NPT and NPTF.
Male threads work with female NPTF, NPT, NPSM, and NPSH.
Female threads work with male NPTF and NPT.
Male threads work with female BSPT and BSPP.
Female threads work with male BSPT.
Male threads work with female BSPP.
Female threads work with male BSPP and BSPT.
Male threads work with female NPSM and NPSH.
Female threads work with male NPSM, NPT, and NPTF.
Male threads work with female NPSH.
Female threads work with male NPSH, NPT, NPTF, and NPSM.
Threads are female and work with male NPT.
Threads are female and work with male NPT.
Work with other NH/NST threads.
Work with other GHT threads.
Work with other UN/UNF threads.
Work with other DIN 3852 threads.
Work with other DIN 3901/3902 threads.

NPT (National Pipe Taper) and BSP (British Standard Pipe) Threads
NPT threads are common in the United States, while BSP The second way is to find the pitch, which is 1
threads are widely used in many other countries. NPT threads also known as threads per inch. Either count
are tapered, while BSP threads come in both tapered (BSPT) and the number of threads that fall into a 1 span
straight/parallel (BSPP) styles. or use a thread gauge (sold on page 2) for a
NPT and BSP threads are not compatible; however, when placed precise measurement.
side-by-side, you may not be able to tell them apart. There are two 8 Threads per Inch
ways to determine if you have NPT threads or BSPT threads.
The first way is by examining the shape and angle of the threads. Pitch Pitch Pitch
NPT threads are set at a 60° angle and have flattened peaks and Pipe (Threads/Inch) Pipe (Threads/Inch) Pipe (Threads/Inch)
valleys; BSP threads are set at a 55° angle and have rounded Size NPT BSP Size NPT BSP Size NPT BSP
peaks and valleys. 1/16 27 3/4 14 14 3 8 11
1/8 27 28 1 111/2 11 31/2 8 11
NPT BSPT/BSPP
1/4 18 19 11/4 111/2 11 4 8 11
3/8 18 19 11/2 111/2 11 5 8 11
60º 55º 1/2 14 14 2 111/2 11 6 8 11
Flattened Rounded 5/8
Peaks Peaks 14 21/2 8 11 8 8
and Valleys and Valley

Unthreaded Pipe Dimensions and Schedule

Metal pipe, plastic pipe, and plastic pipe fittings are generally rated by schedule, which refers to the wall thickness. As the Schedule
increases, the walls get thicker towards the center for any given pipe size.
Metal pipe fittings are not usually rated by schedule; they are instead rated by the amount of pressure (psi) they can withstand.
Thin Wall Standard Wall Thick Wall Extra-Thick Wall Super-Thick Wall
(Schedule 10) (Schedule 40) (Schedule 80) (Schedule 160) (Schedule XXH)

Our lightest Most popular choice Designed for high- Hefty construction for Use for your most de-
Actual weight pipe. for all around use. pressure applications. extreme pressures. manding applications.
Pipe Unthreaded Pipe Wall Pipe Wall Pipe Wall Pipe Wall Pipe Wall
Size Pipe OD ID Thick. ID Thick. ID Thick. ID Thick. ID 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 0.464 0.188 0.252 0.294
3/4 1.050 0.884 0.083 0.824 0.113 0.742 0.154 0.612 0.219 0.434 0.308
1 1.315 1.097 0.109 1.049 0.133 0.957 0.179 0.815 0.250 0.599 0.358
11/4 1.660 1.442 0.109 1.380 0.140 1.278 0.191 1.160 0.250
11/2 1.900 1.682 0.109 1.610 0.145 1.500 0.200 1.338 0.281 1.100 0.400
2 2.375 2.157 0.109 2.067 0.154 1.939 0.218 1.687 0.344 1.503 0.436
21/2 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 2.624 0.438
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 5.187 0.719
8 8.625 8.329 0.148 7.981 0.322 7.625 0.500 6.813 0.906

For a measuring guide for unthreaded pipe and fittings up to pipe size 8, go to mcmaster.com and search for 4347KAC.