It can be difficult to determine the proper pipe size for your project when dealing with both inches and centimeters. Comprehending the distinctions and being able to convert between the two units is crucial for a building or remodeling project to go well. Accurate measurement is essential when working on heating systems, gas lines, or plumbing.
It’s common to come across sizes expressed in both centimeters and inches when dealing with pipes. In the event that you are unfamiliar with the conversion process, this may result in misconceptions. While centimeters are more widely used in other parts of the world, inches are more commonly used in the United States. Accurately estimating the pipe sizes in both units will help you stay ahead of expensive errors and guarantee proper system operation.
You will learn about the fundamentals of pipe sizing from this article. We’ll go over how to measure the diameter of a pipe and convert the results to centimeters. With this understanding, you’ll be able to select the appropriate pipe sizes with assurance for any project, guaranteeing a smooth and effective renovation or building process.
For any building or renovation project, knowing the pipe sizes in inches and centimeters is essential to ensuring correct fitting and functionality. This article will walk you through the easy processes of accurately measuring pipe sizes, converting between inches and centimeters, and comprehending the common plumbing standards. Whether you’re a professional or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, these helpful tips will help you select the appropriate pipe size for your requirements, preventing expensive errors and guaranteeing the success of your project.
- Concepts used by GOSTs and TUs to designate parameters regarding pipe sizes
- How to determine pipe sizes in inches and centimeters
- Video on the topic
- Pipe diameters need to be known!What types of pipes are there and how are they read?!Just remember! Do all the work yourself!
- How to convert inches to centimeters?
- How to correctly measure the diameter of a pipe
- Pipe sizes in inches
- Pipe and thread diameters in inches and millimeters.
- Pipe diameters: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, etc. d. Inches and millimeters
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Concepts used by GOSTs and TUs to designate parameters regarding pipe sizes
When the subject of pipes came up a few decades ago, it was almost a given that we were discussing items made of rolled steel. Customers now have access to a wide range of materials that are used to make pipes. Plastic and metal-plastic products have emerged and are effectively replacing traditional metal products (copper, steel, and cast iron), particularly in the home. Because of this extreme variety, it is vital to consider product sizes as they must frequently be combined and joined in identical structures.
They use pipe-size-related concepts in the current GOSTs:
- length;
- several types of diameter;
- wall thickness.
Regarding the length, it is regarded as follows with regard to steel products:
- not measured, with established frames of 4-12.5 meters;
- dimensional, located in the specified range;
- a multiple of the measured one, implying that in the specified range five millimeter allowances are provided for making cuts;
- approximate, again related to the specified range.
Regarding product diameter, GOST standards accommodated the following categories:
- internal;
- conditional, nominally expressing the internal in millimeters or rounded – in inches;
- external.
It’s critical to understand! The primary criterion used to categorize pipes into three sizes is their outer diameter: small, medium, and large.
Numerous regulatory documents in the form of tables of correspondence between the diameters of various plastic products and their steel counterparts have arisen due to the wide distribution of these products.
| Nominal diameter Du, DN |
Diameter in inches, t.h. diameter G thread" |
Pipe outer diameter D, mm | |||
| DIN/EN | VGP | ES, BS | Polymer | ||
| 10 | 3/8″ | 17.2 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
| 15 | 1/2″ | 21.3 | 21.3 | 20 | 20 |
| 20 | 3/4″ | 26.9 | 26.8 | 26 | 25 |
| 25 | 1" | 33.7 | 33.5 | 32 | 32 |
| 32 | 1 1/4″ | 42.4 | 42.3 | 42 | 40 |
| 40 | 1 1/2″ | 48.3 | 48 | 45 | 50 |
| 50 | 2″ | 60.3 | 60 | 57 | 63 |
| 65 | 2 1/2″ | 76.1 | 75.5 | 76 | 75 |
| 80 | 3″ | 88.9 | 88.5 | 89 | 90 |
| 90 | 3 1/2″ | 101.6 | 101.3 | 102 | 110 |
| 100 | 4" | 114.3 | 114 | 108 | 125 |
| 125 | 5" | 139.7 | 140 | 133 | 140 |
| 150 | 6″ | 168.3 | 165 | 159 | 160 |
| 160 | 6 1/2″ | 177.8 | — | 180 | 180 |
| 200 | 8" | 219.1 | — | 219 | 225 |
| 225 | 9" | 244.5 | — | 245 | 250 |
| 250 | 10" | 273 | — | 273 | 280 |
| 300 | 12" | 323.9 | — | 325 | 315 |
| 400 | 16" | 406.4 | — | 426 | 400 |
| 500 | 20" | 508 | — | 530 | 500 |
| 600 | 24″ | 609.6 | — | 630 | 630 |
| 800 | 32″ | 812.8 | — | 820 | 800 |
| 1000 | 40″ | 1016 | — | 1020 | 1000 |
| 1200 | 48″ | 1219.2 | — | 1220 | 1200 |
How to determine pipe sizes in inches and centimeters
At first glance, working with pipe sizes expressed in inches shouldn’t present any challenges. Nearly all of the time, you have to deal with plumbing pipe sizes in inches. Considering that everyone is aware that one inch is equivalent to 2.54 centimeters, nothing appears to be complicated. It is common practice to round off using the idea of pipe diameter in inches, which is done strictly in compliance with accepted mathematical rules, i.e., downwards. Consequently, it can be found that one inch is equivalent to exactly 2.5 cm.
The following are the dimensions of an inch of steel pipe, given in millimeters:
- 33.5 – for outer diameter;
- 25.5 or 27.1 – for internal, depending on whether normal or reinforced is measured.
Take note! It is evident that there isn’t a single value that precisely corresponds to one inch. The internal diameter of a steel pipe, even in inches, is what defines it as such.
It is useful to use a table that takes into account the internal and external pipe diameters in inches and millimeters if the dimensions of steel pipes are stated in inches. There are fourteen standard sizes available for the diameter in inches, ranging from one quarter to six. The internal and external diameters in millimeters correlate to each standard size expressed in inches.
The internal and external diameters of a half-inch pipe, for instance, have measured dimensions of 15 and 21.3 millimeters, respectively. Comparable correspondences for inches will be represented by the following values: 33.5 and 25.
Difficulties associated with the need to operate with two systems, metric and the so-called imperial, in which measurements were usually made in inches, arise, as a rule, when working with steel structures manufactured back in the Soviet period. Then it was customary to use designations for elements of plumbing systems in inches. The gradual displacement of steel as the main material for the production of pipes, at least in the public utility sector, can lead to certain difficulties. It is connected with the fact that for the increasingly widespread plastic and metal-plastic products, as well as for those made of other metals and alloys, in addition to steel, it is customary to use the metric system, which is more familiar to most, in size designations.
| Pipe Size (Inches) | Pipe Size (Centimeters) |
| 1/2 inch | 1.27 cm |
| 3/4 inch | 1.91 cm |
| 1 inch | 2.54 cm |
| 1 1/4 inch | 3.18 cm |
| 1 1/2 inch | 3.81 cm |
| 2 inches | 5.08 cm |
Any building or remodeling project requires an understanding of how to calculate pipe sizes in inches and centimeters. A properly sized plumbing system minimizes potential problems and guarantees effective operation. Making educated decisions is aided by having a basic understanding of pipe measurements, including the distinction between nominal and actual sizes.
With the correct tools, converting pipe sizes between inches and centimeters is simple. Using a calculator or a straightforward conversion chart, you can quickly switch between the two units of measurement. Recall that one inch is equivalent to 2.54 centimeters, so handling the math is simple.
The correct pipes and fittings must be chosen, and accurate measurements and conversions are essential. This guarantees a perfect fit and top-notch functionality. Making the time to accurately measure your project will save you time and effort later on, whether you’re working on a small-scale home project or a larger construction project.
To sum up, knowing the fundamentals of determining and converting pipe sizes is a useful skill. It gives you the confidence to handle the complexity of plumbing projects. You can make sure that your remodeling and building projects are effective and successful by using this knowledge.
