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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/Durchmesser nach Norm), in
which sizes are measured in millimetres.[2] The term NB (nominal bore) is also frequently used interchangeably with NPS.
Contents
1 History
2 Application
3 NPS tables for selected sizes
3.1 NPS to NPS 3
3.2 NPS 4 to NPS 9
3.3 NPS 10 to NPS 24
3.4 Additional sizes (NPS)
4 See also
5 Notes
6 References
6.1 Bibliography
7 External links
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), extrastrong (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][note 1] 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.[4]
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
14 inches and a wall thickness of 0.437 inches. However the NPS and OD values are not always equal, which can create confusion.
For NPS to 12 inches, the NPS and OD values are different. For example, the OD of an NPS 12 pipe is actually
12.75 inches. To find the actual OD for each NPS value, refer to the tables below. (Note that for tubing, the size indicates
actual dimensions, not nominal.)
For NPS 14 inches and up, the NPS and OD values are equal. In other words, an NPS 14 pipe is actually 14 inches OD.
The reason for the discrepancy for NPS to 12 inches 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.[note 1]
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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.
Blockage or Ball Test: When a pipe is welded or bent the most common method to inspect blockages, misalignment, ovality, and
weld bead dimensional conformity is to pass a round ball through the pipe coil or circuit. If the inner pipe dimension is to be
measured then you should subtract the weld bead, if welding is applicable. Typically, the clearance tolerance for the ball must not
exceed 1mm. Allowable ovality of any pipe is measured on the inside dimension of the pipe, normally 5% to 10% ovality can be
accepted. If no other test is conducted to verify ovality, or blockages, this test must be seen as a standard requirement. A flow
test can not be used in lieu of a Blockage or Ball Test. See pipe dimensional table, Specification ASME B36.10M or B36.19M for
pipe dimensions per schedule.
Stainless steel pipe is most often available in standard weight sizes (noted by the "S" designation, for example "NPS Sch 10S").
However stainless steel pipe can also be available in other schedules.
Both polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe (CPVC) are made in NPS sizes.
NPS DN
[5]
[2]
OD
[in (mm)]
Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5sds
SCH
10s/10
SCH 30
SCH
80s/80
/XS
SCH 40 /
STD
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
(73.03)
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)
0.083
(2.108)
0.120
(3.048)
0.188
(4.775)
0.226
(5.740)
0.318
(8.077)
0.636
(16.154)
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NPS 4 to NPS 9
OD
NPS DN
[in
[5]
[2]
(mm)] SCH 5
100
4 115
Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH
10s/10
SCH
20
SCH
30
SCH
SCH
40s/40 SCH 60 80s/80
/STD
/XS
4.500
0.083 0.120
5.000
(127.00)
SCH
100
SCH
120
SCH
140
SCH
160
XXS[5]
0.337
(8.560)
0.437
(11.100)
0.531
0.674
(13.487) (17.120)
0.247
(6.274)
0.355
(9.017)
0.710
(18.034)
125
5.563
0.109 0.134
0.258
(6.553)
0.375
(9.525)
0.500
(12.700)
0.625
0.750
(15.875) (19.050)
150
6.625
0.109 0.134
0.280
(7.112)
0.432
(10.973)
0.562
(14.275)
0.719
0.864
(18.263) (21.946)
7[5]
7.625
(193.68)
0.301
(7.645)
0.500
(12.700)
200
8.625
0.109 0.148 0.250 0.277 0.322 0.406
0.500
0.593
0.719
0.812
0.906
0.875
(219.08) (2.769) (3.759) (6.350) (7.036) (8.179) (10.312) (12.700) (15.062) (18.263) (20.625) (23.012) (22.225)
9[5]
9.625
(244.48)
0.342
(8.687)
0.500
(12.700)
0.875
(22.225)
NPS 10 to NPS 24
NPS DN
[5]
[2]
OD
[in (mm)]
Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5s
SCH 5
SCH 10s
SCH 10
SCH 20
SCH 30
SCH 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)
22
550
22.00
(558.80)
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)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size
08/04/2014
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Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
NPS
[5]
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)
0.562
(14.275)
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)
22
0.875
(22.225)
0.500
(12.700)
1.125
(28.575)
1.375
(34.925)
1.625
(41.275)
1.875
(47.625)
2.125
(53.975)
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)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size
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NPS
DN
[5]
[2]
Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
OD
[in (mm)]
SCH 5s
SCH 10s
SCH 10
SCH 20
SCH 30
SCH
40s/STD
SCH 40
26
0.312
(7.925)
0.500
(12.700)
0.375
(9.525)
28
0.312
(7.925)
0.500
(12.700)
0.625
(15.875)
0.375
(9.525)
30
0.312
(7.925)
0.312
(7.925)
0.500
(12.700)
0.625
(15.875)
0.375
(9.525)
32
0.312
(7.925)
0.500
(12.700)
0.625
(15.875)
0.375
(9.525)
0.688
(17.475)
34
0.312
(7.925)
0.500
(12.700)
0.625
(15.875)
0.375
(9.525)
0.688
(17.475)
36
0.312
(7.925)
0.500
(12.700)
0.375
(9.525)
NPS
DN
[2]
OD
[in (mm)]
0.250
(6.350)
Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH STD
SCH XS
40
40.000
1000
(1,016.000)
0.375
(9.525)
0.500
(12.700)
42
1050
42.000
(1,066.800)
0.375
(9.525)
0.500
(12.700)
44
1100
44.000
(1,117.600)
0.375
(9.525)
0.500
(12.700)
46
1150
46.000
(1,168.400)
0.375
(9.525)
0.500
(12.700)
48
1200
48.000
(1,219.200)
0.375
(9.525)
0.500
(12.700)
52
1300
52.000
(1,320.800)
56
1400
56.000
(1,422.400)
60
1500
60.000
(1,524.000)
64
1600
64.000
(1,625.600)
68
1700
68.000
(1,727.200)
72
1800
72.000
(1,828.800)
76
1900
76.000
(1,930.400)
80
2000
80.000
(2,032.000)
88
2200
88.000
(2,235.200)
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size
08/04/2014
Page 6 of 6
Notes
1. ^ a b 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.]
References
1. ^ ASME B36.10M-2004, p. 1
2. ^ a b c d e f NPS - "Nominal Pipe Size" and DN - "Diamtre Nominal" (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/nps-nominal-pipe-sizesd_45.html), EngineeringToolbox.com
3. ^ a b c ASME B36.10M-2004, p. iv
4. ^ ASME Standard 36.19M-2004, p. iv
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Table of Pipe Schedules (http://www.engineersedge.com/pipe_schedules.htm) from EngineersEdge.com.
6. ^ ASTM A999
Bibliography
Nayyar, P.E., Mohinder L. (2000). "A1". In Mohinder L. Nayyar, P.E. Piping Handbook (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
ISBN 0-07-047106-1.
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/pipedim/standard-piping-dimensions-carbon-steel-stainless-steel-ansi) For Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel pipes as per ANSI.
[1] (http://www.novanumeric.com/samples.php?CalcName=Schedule) - Online Pipe Schedule Calculator
Nominal Pipe Size NPS, Nominal Bore NB, Outside Diameter OD (http://www.piping-engineering.com/nominal-pipe-sizenps-nominal-bore-nb-outside-diameter-od.html)
Montage (http://www.lasmotec.nl)
Piping Tools (http://pipingdesigners.com/Tools%20-%20section%209.htm)
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