PVC Pipe Dimensions & Size Charts

PVC pipe is something you’ve heard of. It’s a white plastic tube commonly used for drainage and plumbing. Polyvinyl chloride has become a popular alternative to metal, and it’s no surprise given its many uses.

It is one of the most popular plastics globally due to its strength and durability. It’s also great in terms of ease of installation and its low cost, which is why it’s so common in plumbing.

They are thermoplastic materials that can be molded into various shapes to make pipes and fittings. It’s also great for valves and other liquid-handling equipment.

The nominal system is used to measure the component. This means that rather than specific measures, all measurements are dependent on the types of structures.

A one-inch line is defined as 0.84 inches measured from one end to the other. Each form of pipe schedule has its own set of applications.

Summary

The PVC pipe size charts below are the easiest ways to get the dimension for schedules 20, 40, 80, & 120. From them, you can see the following:

  • A schedule 10 1/8″ NPS6 PVC pipe has an outside diameter dimension of 0.41″ and a wall thickness of 0.049″.
  • A schedule 20 8″ NPS200 PVC pipe has an outside diameter dimension of 8.625″ and a wall thickness of 0.25″.

PVC Pipe: Dimensions, Size Charts, & Schedule

Here’s everything you need to know about PVC pipe sizes and charts, including dimensions and more! Let’s dive deeper into PVC pipe schedules.

Table of Contents

Schedule 10

Nominal size [inches]Outside diameter [mm]Outside diameter [inches]Wall thickness [mm]Wall thickness [inches]Weight [kg/m]Weight [lb/ft]
1/8″ NPS610.30.411.240.0490.280.19
1/4″ NPS813.70.541.650.0650.490.33
3/8″ NPS1017.10.681.650.0650.630.42
1/2″ NPS1521.30.842.110.08310.67
3/4″ NPS2026.71.052.110.0831.280.86
1″ NPS2533.41.322.770.1092.091.4
1 1/4″ NPS3242.21.662.770.1092.71.81
1 1/2″ NPS4048.31.92.770.1093.112.09
2″ NPS5060.32.3752.770.1093.932.64
2 1/2″ NPS65732.8753.050.125.263.53
3″ NPS8088.93.53.050.126.454.33
3 1/2″ NPS90101.643.050.127.44.97
4″ NPS100114.34.53.050.128.365.61
5″ NPS125141.35.5633.40.13411.577.77
6″ NPS150168.36.6253.40.13413.849.29
8″ NPS200219.18.6253.760.14819.9613.4
10″ NPS25027310.754.190.16527.7818.65
12″ NPS300323.812.754.570.183624.17
14″ NPS350355.6146.350.2554.6936.71
16″ NPS400406.4166.350.2562.6442.05
18″ NPS450457186.350.2570.5747.39
20″ NPS500508206.350.2578.5552.73
22″ NPS550559226.350.2586.5458.07
24″ NPS600610246.350.2594.5363.41
26″ NPS650660267.920.312127.3685.6
28″ NPS700711287.920.312137.3292.26
30″ NPS750762307.920.312147.2898.93
32″ NPS800813327.920.312157.24105.59
34″ NPS850864347.920.312167.2112.25
36″ NPS900914367.920.312176.96118.92

Schedule 20

They have the lowest resistance, and customers often use them in gravity-fed septic systems and drainage. They’re also used for stormwater projects. Its wall is significantly lighter than Schedule 40s.

You should only utilize it in situations where no traffic or other types of machinery are crossing the region. The outside diameter is the same as SDR 35, and all Schedule 20 and SDR 35 fittings are interchangeable.

Here’s the appropriate schedule 20 PVC pipe dimensions chart you need.

Nominal size [inches]Outside diameter [mm]Outside diameter [inches]Wall thickness [mm]Wall thickness [inches]Weight [kg/m]Weight [lb/ft]
8″ NPS200219.18.6256.350.2533.3122.36
10″ NPS25027310.756.350.2541.7728.04
12″ NPS300323.812.756.350.2549.7333.38
14″ NPS350355.6147.920.31267.945.61
16″ NPS400406.4167.920.31277.8352.27
18″ NPS450457187.920.31287.7158.94
20″ NPS500508209.530.375117.1578.6
22″ NPS550559229.530.375129.1386.61
24″ NPS600610249.530.375141.1294.62
26″ NPS6506602612.70.5202.72136.17
28″ NPS7007112812.70.5218.69146.85
30″ NPS7507623012.70.5234.67157.53
32″ NPS8008133212.70.5250.64168.21
34″ NPS8508643412.70.5266.61178.89
36″ NPS9009143612.70.5282.27189.57

Schedule 40

Drainage and low-pressure water flow applications call for Schedule 40. They can absorb temperatures of up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, while pipe lengths are available in 10 inches and 20 inches portions. Schedule 40 comes with either a plain or a belled end and does not require installation.

Here’s the appropriate chart.

Nominal size [inches]Outside diameter [mm]Outside diameter [inches]Wall thickness [mm]Wall thickness [inches]Weight [kg/m]Weight [lb/ft]
1/8″ NPS610.30.411.730.0680.370.24
1/4″ NPS813.70.542.240.0880.630.42
3/8″ NPS1017.10.682.310.0910.840.57
1/2″ NPS1521.30.842.770.1091.270.85
3/4″ NPS2026.71.052.870.1131.691.13
1″ NPS2533.41.323.380.1332.51.68
1 1/4″ NPS3242.21.663.560.143.392.27
1 1/2″ NPS4048.31.93.680.1454.052.72
2″ NPS5060.32.3753.910.1545.443.65
2 1/2″ NPS65732.8755.160.2038.635.79
3″ NPS8088.93.55.490.21611.297.58
3 1/2″ NPS90101.645.740.22613.579.11
4″ NPS100114.34.56.020.23716.0710.79
5″ NPS125141.35.5636.550.25821.7714.62
6″ NPS150168.36.6257.110.2828.2618.97
8″ NPS200219.18.6258.180.32242.5528.55
10″ NPS25027310.759.270.36560.3140.48
12″ NPS300323.812.7510.310.40679.7353.52
14″ NPS350355.61411.130.43794.5554.57
16″ NPS400406.41612.70.5123.382.77
18″ NPS4504571814.270.562155.8104.67
20″ NPS5005082015.090.594183.42123.11
24″ NPS6006102417.480.688255.41171.29
32″ NPS8008133217.480.688342.91230.08

What to Consider

If you are concerned about which one should you use, here is a detailed comparison further below before you add products to your shopping cart. It’s no different form making sure you get the right piece of equipment or tool.

construction worker working on pipes

Thickness

The crucial physical difference between schedule 40 and 80 is its wall thickness. With a significant increase in ratings, the material thickness of pipes and fittings will be increased. For the specified size, Schedule 40 will have thinner walls.

This entails less material, leading to a weaker result. It could impair project acceptability if the plumbing’s integrity is questioned for the intended usage.

Thicker tubes will have more vital structural and chemical endurance and rigidity than those with a higher schedule. They’re better at handling strain and pressure resistance.

The thickness specifications can be very important depending on the functionality needed.

pvc pipes

Pressure

Plumbing’s highest pounds per square inch (psi) pressure rating is governed by how they schedule it. For better pressure handling, tubing with higher numbers is suitable for you.

The increased material thickness indicated by the tube is a direct outcome of their service tolerance for excess water pressure. In general, Schedule 80 is a safer and more durable option for pressurized liquid applications.

If operational pressure ranges are recognized to be within the specified parameters, Schedule 40 may be a good fit.

NPS and Outer, Inner Diameter

The Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) dimensions for schedule 40 and 80 tubings will be the same for the same size. The NPS measurement is equivalent to their Outer Diameter (OD), which is the same for both types.

The significance between schedules 40 and 80 is the Inner Diameter (ID) measurement. The extra material utilized in schedule 80 merely thickens the sidewalls on the interior of the piping.

Schedule 80 has a smaller inner diameter, which causes a little limitation in fluid flow through the tube.

PVC pipe being cut

Cost

Plumbing with a Schedule 80 rating has a higher purchase price than plumbing parts with a 40 rating. The additional material that provides for the thicker sidewall of schedule 80 and the incorporated colorant contributes to its higher cost.

Color

Tubes in schedules 40 and 80 are frequently colored differently to distinguish them. Schedule 40 plumbing is usually a natural white with no color additions, whereas Schedule 80 plumbing is usually a colored grey.

It’s worth noting that there are often exceptions to the rule, and certain manufacturers may not adhere to the standard color scheme.

While color can help distinguish between Schedule 40 and 80 piping, always double-check by looking at the detailed information printed on the tubing sides.

Installation

two pvc pipes

Schedule 40 or 80 piping constructed of the same material is installed in the same way. According to ASTM standards, outside diameters shall be equal across pipe schedules with equivalent NPS.

This feature supports tubing of varying scheduling to joining them using standard fittings and joining methods for that piping content.

plumber working on pipe

Application and Use

Schedule 80 plumbing is stronger and more resistant than its 40 counterparts because of its thicker wall thickness. Use more significant pipes for the components in plumbing applications. They should be suitable for elevated pressure stress and mechanical stresses.

This isn’t to assume that schedule 80 is ideal because an application will handle chemicals or liquids under pressure. Plumbing applications are pretty precise, especially those involving chemicals.

Many people base their optimal choice on an educated assessment, whether 40 or 80. It considers all the structure’s intended usage characteristics.

Schedule 40 plumbing over 80 plumbing can save both piping material and associated expenditures if Schedule 40 is acceptable for the operational parameters of the scenario.

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