American National pipe (
NPT, NPS), Like British Standard Pipe (
BSP), is designated by trade size, rather than actual diameter, as shown in the table below.
NPT Thread – American Standard Taper Pipe Thread (ANSI/ASME B1.20.1), Taper 1:16
Thread Form Data – Basic Dimensions of American National Standard Taper Threads, NPT (National Pipe Tapered)
There are two basic types of National pipe threads:
- NPT: National Pipe Taper
- NPS: National Pipe Straight
NPT threads are also sometimes referred to as
- MIP (Male Iron Pipe)
- FIP (Female Iron Pipe)
- IPT (Iron Pipe Thread)
- FPT (Female Pipe Thread)
- MPT (Male Pipe Thread)
Note that these references are somewhat casual, and might possibly be used in reference to NPS instead of NPT.
Both NPT and NPS have the same thread angle, shape, and pitch (threads per inch). However, NPT threads are tapered and NPS threads are straight (parallel). Both threads have a 60° included angle and have flat peaks and valleys (this is a Sellers thread form).
If you’ve worked with pipe much at all, you’ve probably noticed that the size of the pipe isn’t really what size the pipe is. Unlike tubing, which is generally specified by its OD, or hose, which is generally specified by its ID, pipe is specified by something else… its Trade Size. So when you say “3/4 pipe,” you’re actually saying “pipe whose OD is a little more than an inch, and whose ID is about 53/64.” -that is, if you are talking about schedule 40 pipe, which is generally what is used for most plumbing applications.
Pipe dimensions are specified by trade size and schedule, according to the following table. Note that while British Standard Pipe dimensions are similar, they are not equivalent to the American Standard Pipe Sizes. See NPT vs. BSP Pipe for thread comparisons.
Nominal Pipe Size (inch) | Number of threads per inch | Outside Diameter (inch) | Outside Diameter (mm) | Pitch of thread | Depth of thread | Truncation, max.”** | Pitch diameter at plane of hand-tight engagement | Length from end of pipe to plane of hand-tight engagement | Length of useful thread | Length of washout thread | Pitch Diameter at Beginning of External Thread Start (inch) | Effective Thread, External Diameter (inch) |
| | | | P | h | l | E | L1 | L2 | | | |
| | | | in | mm | in | mm | in | mm | in | mm | in | Threads | in | Threads | in | Threads | | |
1⁄16 | 27 | 0.3125 | 7.938 | 0.03704 | 0.941 | 0.02963 | 0.753 | | | 0.28118 | | 0.16 | | 0.2611 | | 0.1285 | 3.47 | 0.27118 | 0.28750 |
1/8″ | 27 | 0.405 | 10.287 | 0.03704 | 0.941 | 0.02963 | 0.753 | 0.00360 | 0.091 | 0.37360 | 9.489 | 0.162 | 4.36 | 0.2639 | 7.12 | 0.1285 | 3.47 | 0.36351 | 0.38000 |
1/4″ | 18 | 0.540 | 13.716 | 0.05556 | 1.411 | 0.04444 | 1.129 | 0.00490 | 0.124 | 0.49163 | 12.487 | 0.228 | 4.10 | 0.4018 | 7.23 | 0.1928 | 3.47 | 0.47739 | 0.50250 |
3/8″ | 18 | 0.675 | 17.145 | 0.05556 | 1.411 | 0.04444 | 1.129 | 0.00490 | 0.124 | 0.62701 | 15.926 | 0.240 | 4.32 | 0.0478 | 7.34 | 0.1928 | 3.47 | 0.61201 | 0.63750 |
1/2″ | 14 | 0.840 | 21.336 | 0.07143 | 1.814 | 0.05714 | 1.451 | 0.00560 | 0.142 | 0.77843 | 19.772 | 0.320 | 4.48 | 0.5337 | 7.47 | 0.2478 | 3.47 | 0.75843 | 0.79179 |
3/4″ | 14 | 1.050 | 26.670 | 0.07143 | 1.814 | 0.05714 | 1.451 | 0.00560 | 0.142 | 0.98887 | 25.117 | 0.339 | 4.75 | 0.5457 | 7.64 | 0.2478 | 3.47 | 0.96768 | 1.00179 |
1″ | 11.5 | 1.315 | 33.401 | 0.08696 | 2.209 | 0.06957 | 1.767 | 0.00630 | 0.160 | 1.23863 | 31.461 | 0.400 | 4.60 | 0.6828 | 7.85 | 0.3017 | 3.47 | 1.21363 | 1.25630 |
1-1/4″ | 11.5 | 1.660 | 42.164 | 0.08696 | 2.209 | 0.06957 | 1.767 | 0.00630 | 0.160 | 1.58338 | 40.218 | 0.420 | 4.83 | 0.7068 | 8.13 | 0.3017 | 3.47 | 1.55713 | 1.60130 |
1-1/2″ | 11.5 | 1.900 | 48.260 | 0.08696 | 2.209 | 0.06957 | 1.767 | 0.00630 | 0.160 | 1.82234 | 46.287 | 0.402 | 4.83 | 0.7235 | 8.32 | 0.3017 | 3.47 | 1.79609 | 1.84130 |
2″ | 11.5 | 2.375 | 60.325 | 0.08696 | 2.209 | 0.06957 | 1.767 | 0.00630 | 0.160 | 2.29627 | 58.325 | 0.436 | 5.01 | 0.7565 | 8.70 | 0.3017 | 3.47 | 2.26902 | 2.31630 |
2-1/2″ | 8 | 2.875 | 73.025 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 2.76215 | 70.159 | 0.682 | 5.46 | 1.1375 | 9.10 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 2.71953 | 2.79062 |
3″ | 8 | 3.500 | 88.900 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 3.38850 | 86.068 | 0.766 | 6.13 | 1.2000 | 9.60 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 3.34062 | 3.41562 |
3-1/2″ | 8 | 4 | 101.600 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 3.88881 | 98.776 | 0.821 | 6.57 | 1.2500 | 10.00 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 3.83750 | 3.91562 |
4″ | 8 | 4.5 | 114.300 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 4.38712 | 111.433 | 0.844 | 6.75 | 1.3000 | 10.40 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 4.33438 | 4.41562 |
5″ | 8 | 5.563 | 141.300 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 5.44929 | 138.412 | 0.937 | 7.50 | 1.4063 | 11.25 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 5.39073 | 5.47862 |
6″ | 8 | 6.625 | 168.275 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 6.50597 | 165.252 | 0.958 | 7.66 | 1.5125 | 12.10 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 6.44609 | 6.54062 |
8″ | 8 | 8.625 | 219.075 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 8.50003 | 215.901 | 1.630 | 8.50 | 1.7125 | 13.70 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 8.43359 | 8.54062 |
10″ | 8 | 10.750 | 273.050 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 10.62094 | 296.772 | 1.210 | 9.58 | 1.9250 | 15.40 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 10.54531 | 10.66562 |
12″ | 8 | 12.750 | 323.850 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 12.61781 | 320.493 | 1.360 | 10.88 | 2.1250 | 17.00 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 12.53281 | 12.66562 |
14″ | 8 | 14 | 355.600 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 13.87262 | 352.365 | 1.562 | 12.50 | 2.2500 | 18.00 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 13.77500 | 13.91562 |
16″ | 8 | 16 | 406.400 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 15.87575 | 403.244 | 1.812 | 14.50 | 2.4500 | 19.60 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 15.76250 | 15.91562 |
18″ | 8 | 18 | 457.200 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 17.87500 | 454.025 | 2.000 | 16.00 | 2.6500 | 21.20 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 17.75000 | 17.91562 |
20″ | 8 | 20 | 508.000 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 19.87031 | 504.706 | 2.125 | 17.00 | 2.8500 | 22.80 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 19.73750 | 19.91562 |
24″ | 8 | 24 | 609.600 | 0.12500 | 3.175 | 0.10000 | 2.540 | 0.00780 | 0.198 | 23.68094 | 606.066 | 2.375 | 19.00 | 3.2500 | 26.00 | 0.4337 | 3.47 | 23.71250 | 23.91562 |
Nominal Pipe Size (inch) | Number of threads per inch | Tapping Drills: Taper NPT with Reamer * | Tapping Drills: Taper NPT without Reamer | Tapping Drills: Straight NPS |
| | Drill Size | Equivalents (in) | Equivalents (mm) | Drill Size | Equivalents (in) | Equivalents (mm) | Drill Size | Equivalents (in) | Equivalents (mm) |
1⁄16 | 27 | 15/64″ | 0.2344 | 5.9531 | C | 0.242 | 6.1468 | 1/4″ | 0.25 | 6.35 |
1/8″ | 27 | 21/64″ | 0.3281 | 8.3344 | Q | 0.332 | 8.4328 | 11/32″ | 0.3438 | 8.7313 |
1/4″ | 18 | 27/64″ | 0.4219 | 10.7156 | 7/16″ | 0.4375 | 11.1125 | 7/16″ | 0.4375 | 11.1125 |
3/8″ | 18 | 9/16″ | 0.5625 | 14.2875 | 37/64″ | 0.5781 | 14.6844 | 19/32″ | 0.5938 | 15.0813 |
1/2″ | 14 | 11/16″ | 0.6875 | 17.4625 | 45/64″ | 0.7031 | 17.8594 | 23/32″ | 0.7188 | 18.2563 |
3/4″ | 14 | 57/64″ | 0.8906 | 22.6219 | 29/32″ | 0.9063 | 23.0188 | 15/16″ | 0.9375 | 23.8125 |
1″ | 11.5 | 1-1/8″ | 1.125 | 28.575 | 1-9/32″ | 1.2813 | 32.5438 | 1-5/32″ | 1.1563 | 29.3688 |
1-1/4″ | 11.5 | 1-15/32″ | 1.4688 | 37.3063 | 1-31/64″ | 1.4844 | 37.7031 | 1-1/2″ | 1.5 | 38.1 |
1-1/2″ | 11.5 | 1-23/32″ | 1.7188 | 43.6563 | 1-23/32″ | 1.7188 | 43.6563 | 1-3/4″ | 1.75 | 44.45 |
2″ | 11.5 | 2-5/32″ | 2.1563 | 54.7688 | 2-3/16″ | 2.1875 | 55.5625 | 2-3/16″ | 2.1875 | 55.5625 |
2-1/2″ | 8 | 2-25/32″ | 2.7813 | 70.6438 | 2-5/8″ | 2.625 | 66.675 | 2-5/8″ | 2.625 | 66.675 |
3″ | 8 | 3-9/32″ | 3.2813 | 83.3438 | 3-1/4″ | 3.25 | 82.55 | 3-1/4″ | 3.25 | 82.55 |
3-1/2″ | 8 | 3-3/4″ | 3.75 | 95.25 | 3-3/4″ | 3.75 | 95.25 | 3-3/4″ | 3.75 | 95.25 |
4″ | 8 | 4-1/4″ | 4.25 | 107.95 | 4-1/4″ | 4.25 | 107.95 | 4-1/4″ | 4.25 | 107.95 |
5″ | 8 | 5-1/4″ | 5.25 | 133.35 | 5-9/32″ | 5.2813 | 134.1438 | 5-5/16″ | 5.3125 | 134.9375 |
6″ | 8 | 6-1/4″ | 6.25 | 158.75 | 6-11/32″ | 6.3438 | 161.1313 | 6-3/8″ | 6.375 | 161.925 |
Notes: * Ream the hole before tapping with a reamer having a taper of 3/4 inch per foot. Pipe Size is the accepted industry designation and does not refer to either the inside or the outside diameter (ID or OD) of a pipe or a fitting. Dimensions in Inches except where statedE= Pitch diameter at hand-tight plane. This is also the pitch diameter at the gauge plane. **’= Truncation from point of thread triangle to flat (not shown in diagram). Minimum = 0.033P for all pitches. See table for maximum. Tolerances: When using L1 gauges to check threads, the thread is within permissible tolerance if the ring gauge face, or plug gauge notch, is +/- 1 turn from being flush with the end of the thread.Example designation:- 3/8 – 18 NPT where
- 3/8 = nominal pipe size
- 18 = number of threads per inch
- NPT = symbol for the thread series and
- form (i.e., National (American)Standard Pipe, Taper)
Note- Basic dimensions are given to four or five decimal places to eliminate errors when calculating gauge dimensions, they do not imply a greater degree of precision than is normally obtainable. |
L1= Length of normal hand-tight engagement. This is also the L1 gauge length.
(Longer thread engagement may be used in special applications, such as flanges
for high pressure use. In such cases the pitch diameter, E, remains as specified
and the diameter at the end of the pipe is proportionally smaller.)
L2= Effective Length of thread