PVC pipe dimensions trip up almost everyone, because a 1-inch pipe does not measure 1 inch.

This guide gives you the full PVC pipe size chart for Schedule 40 and Schedule 80, plus metric sizes, wall thickness, pressure ratings and an easy way to measure any pipe.

PVC Pipe Dimensions Chart: Schedule 40 & Schedule 80 Sizes (1/8″ to 24″)

The charts below follow ASTM D1785, the U.S. standard for Schedule 40, 80 and 120 PVC pressure pipe rated for water. Sizes are in inches, and weight is in pounds per foot.

Schedule 40 PVC Pipe Dimensions

Schedule 40 is the white pipe on most hardware store shelves. Use the chart to read the nominal pipe size (NPS), outside diameter (OD), inside diameter (ID), minimum wall thickness, weight and maximum working pressure.

Nominal size	OD (in)	Avg. ID (in)	Min. wall (in)	Weight (lb/ft)	Max psi
1/8″	0.405	0.249	0.068	0.051	810
1/4″	0.540	0.344	0.088	0.086	780
3/8″	0.675	0.473	0.091	0.115	620
1/2″	0.840	0.602	0.109	0.170	600
3/4″	1.050	0.804	0.113	0.226	480
1″	1.315	1.029	0.133	0.333	450
1-1/4″	1.660	1.360	0.140	0.450	370
1-1/2″	1.900	1.590	0.145	0.537	330
2″	2.375	2.047	0.154	0.720	280
2-1/2″	2.875	2.445	0.203	1.136	300
3″	3.500	3.042	0.216	1.488	260
3-1/2″	4.000	3.521	0.226	1.789	240
4″	4.500	3.998	0.237	2.118	220
5″	5.563	5.016	0.258	2.874	190
6″	6.625	6.031	0.280	3.733	180
8″	8.625	7.942	0.322	5.619	160
10″	10.750	9.976	0.365	7.966	140
12″	12.750	11.889	0.406	10.534	130
14″	14.000	13.073	0.437	12.462	130
16″	16.000	14.940	0.500	16.286	130
18″	18.000	16.809	0.562	20.587	130
20″	20.000	18.743	0.593	24.183	120
24″	24.000	22.544	0.687	33.652	120

Pressure ratings are for water at 73°F. Notice how the rating falls as the pipe grows: a 1/2-inch pipe holds 600 psi, while a 24-inch pipe holds 120 psi.

Schedule 80 PVC Pipe Dimensions

Schedule 80 is the gray pipe. Its OD matches Schedule 40, but the wall is thicker and the ID is smaller. This chart covers the sizes most buyers use, up to 12 inches.

Nominal size	OD (in)	Avg. ID (in)	Min. wall (in)	Weight (lb/ft)	Max psi
1/8″	0.405	0.195	0.095	0.063	1,230
1/4″	0.540	0.282	0.119	0.105	1,130
3/8″	0.675	0.403	0.126	0.146	920
1/2″	0.840	0.526	0.147	0.213	850
3/4″	1.050	0.722	0.154	0.289	690
1″	1.315	0.936	0.179	0.424	630
1-1/4″	1.660	1.255	0.191	0.586	520
1-1/2″	1.900	1.476	0.200	0.711	470
2″	2.375	1.913	0.218	0.984	400
2-1/2″	2.875	2.290	0.276	1.500	420
3″	3.500	2.864	0.300	2.010	370
3-1/2″	4.000	3.326	0.318	2.452	350
4″	4.500	3.786	0.337	2.938	320
5″	5.563	4.768	0.375	4.078	290
6″	6.625	5.709	0.432	5.610	280
8″	8.625	7.565	0.500	8.522	250
10″	10.750	9.493	0.593	12.635	230
12″	12.750	11.294	0.687	17.384	230

Understanding precise dimensions is essential when choosing the right materials for any project, whether you’re measuring PVC pipes for plumbing or selecting bedding for your bedroom. If you’re updating your sleeping space, explore this guide to king-size quilt measurements to find the right fit in inches and centimeters.

Schedule 40 vs Schedule 80

Both schedules share one OD, so a 2-inch fitting slips onto 2-inch pipe of either type.

The wall is what changes. In 2-inch pipe, Schedule 40 has a 0.154-inch wall and Schedule 80 has a 0.218-inch wall. That lifts the rating from 280 psi to 400 psi, about 43% more, while the ID drops from 2.047 to 1.913 inches.

A piping system is only as strong as its weakest part. Schedule 40 fittings in a Schedule 80 line lower the pressure the whole line can safely take.

PVC Pipe Diameter & Thickness: Nominal Size, OD, ID and Wall

Nominal size is a label, not a tape-measure number. Knowing the real PVC pipe diameter keeps you from buying the wrong fitting.

Nominal Size vs Actual Size

Below 14 inches, the OD is larger than the name. A 1/2-inch pipe measures 0.840 inch across. A 2-inch pipe measures 2.375 inches. From 14 inches up, the name and the OD match.

Fittings are sized to the pipe OD, so a 2-inch fitting fits 2-inch pipe. Solvent cement softens both surfaces and fuses them into one piece, which is why the fit must be snug. Fitting molds can vary slightly between makers such as Lasco, Spears, Charlotte Pipe and Harvel, so check the maker’s data when a tolerance matters.

How to Find PVC Pipe Size

Here is the quick way to find PVC pipe size on any pipe:

1. Read the print on the pipe. It lists the nominal size, the schedule and standards such as ASTM and NSF.
2. No print? Wrap a string around the pipe, measure the string, and divide by 3.14. That gives the OD.
3. Match the OD to the chart. A string length of 4.13 inches gives a 1.315-inch OD, which is 1-inch pipe.

PVC Pipe Wall Thickness and ID

Wall thickness drives strength and pressure rating. On Schedule 40, it grows from 0.068 inch at 1/8 inch to 0.687 inch at 24 inches.

For a rough ID, subtract two walls from the OD. On 1-inch pipe, 1.315 − (2 × 0.133) gives 1.049 inches. The chart shows 1.029 because the listed wall is a minimum, so the real wall runs a little thicker. The ID sets the flow capacity.

PVC Pipe Sizes in MM: Metric Chart & Inch Conversion

US pipe is named in inches. Metric PVC pipe is named by its OD in millimeters, and the two systems do not line up.

US PVC Pipe Sizes in MM

Multiply inches by 25.4 to get millimeters. This table converts the OD of common US sizes.

Nominal size	OD (in)	OD (mm)
1/2″	0.840	21.3
3/4″	1.050	26.7
1″	1.315	33.4
1-1/4″	1.660	42.2
1-1/2″	1.900	48.3
2″	2.375	60.3
2-1/2″	2.875	73.0
3″	3.500	88.9
4″	4.500	114.3
6″	6.625	168.3
8″	8.625	219.1
10″	10.750	273.1
12″	12.750	323.9

Metric PVC Pipe Dimensions

Metric pipe is sold by OD and pressure class. This chart shows a common 10-bar series, which is about 145 psi.

OD (mm)	OD (in)	ID (mm)	Wall (mm)
20	0.79	18.0	1.0
25	0.98	22.5	1.25
32	1.26	28.4	1.8
40	1.57	36.2	1.9
50	1.97	45.2	2.4
63	2.48	57.0	3.0
75	2.95	67.8	3.6
90	3.54	81.4	4.3
110	4.33	101.6	4.2
125	4.92	115.4	4.8
160	6.30	147.6	6.2
200	7.87	184.6	7.7

DN is the nominal diameter label. PN is the pressure rating in bar. SDR is the OD divided by the wall. ISO 1452 is the international standard for PVC water pipe. Walls change with pressure class, so confirm exact figures on the maker’s sheet.

Never mix the two systems. Metric 32 mm pipe is 1.26 inches across, while 1-inch US pipe is 33.4 mm. A US fitting will not seal well on metric pipe.

PVC Pipe Sizes by Use, Length & Pressure Rating

Choosing a size comes down to the job, the pressure and the heat.

Best PVC Pipe Size by Use

These are typical picks. Your local plumbing code has the final say.

Job	Common size	Pipe type
Fixture and appliance supply lines	1/2″ to 3/4″	Schedule 40
Main water line, small home	1″ to 1-1/2″	Schedule 40
Sprinklers and irrigation	1″ to 2″	Schedule 40
Pool and spa plumbing	1-1/2″ to 2″	Schedule 40
Main drain and sewer line	4″	DWV pipe (ASTM D2665)
Electrical conduit	1/2″ to 4″	Schedule 40, or 80 for extra protection
High-pressure and chemical lines	Sized by flow	Schedule 80

PVC Pipe Length and Weight

Most PVC pipe ships in 10-foot and 20-foot lengths. Some stores also sell 5-foot pieces.

Weight adds up fast. A 20-foot stick of 2-inch Schedule 40 weighs about 14.4 pounds. A 4-inch Schedule 40 stick weighs about 42.4 pounds, and the Schedule 80 version about 58.8 pounds.

Most Schedule 40 pipe is white, and most Schedule 80 pipe is gray. You can also find clear, black and furniture-grade pipe in bright colors. Furniture-grade pipe is usually unprinted and not meant for pressure.

PVC Pipe Pressure Rating and Heat

Every psi figure in the charts is for water at 73°F. Heat weakens PVC, so you multiply the rating by a derating factor as the water gets hotter. The maximum service temperature for PVC is 140°F, per manufacturer specifications.

Water temp (°F)	Derating factor	2″ Schedule 40 (psi)
73	1.00	280
90	0.75	210
100	0.62	174
110	0.50	140
120	0.40	112
130	0.30	84
140	0.22	62

Threads cut into the wall, so threaded pipe is usually rated at about half the plain-end pressure.

Ratings come from the hoop stress formula: P = 2St ÷ (D − t). With S at 2,000 psi, 2-inch Schedule 40 works out to about 277 psi, which the chart rounds to 280.

PVC Pipe Dimensions FAQs

What are standard PVC pipe sizes?

Standard PVC pipe sizes run from 1/8 inch to 24 inches, and larger sizes exist. The most common are 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1-1/2, 2, 3, 4 and 6 inches. Each size comes in Schedule 40 and Schedule 80.

What size is 32 mm PVC pipe in inches?

A 32 mm PVC pipe is about 1.26 inches across. No US nominal size matches it exactly, since 1-inch pipe is 33.4 mm and 1-1/4-inch pipe is 42.2 mm. Use metric fittings with metric pipe.

How is 12 inch pipe size?

A 12-inch PVC pipe has a 12.750-inch OD. In Schedule 40, the average ID is 11.889 inches, the minimum wall is 0.406 inch, and the pipe weighs 10.534 pounds per foot at 130 psi. In Schedule 80, the ID is 11.294 inches, the wall is 0.687 inch, and the rating is 230 psi.

What is the size of PVC?

PVC pipe is sized by nominal diameter, a name tied to a fixed OD. A 1-inch pipe has a 1.315-inch OD, and a 24-inch pipe has a 24.000-inch OD. Under 14 inches, the OD runs larger than the name.

How to find PVC pipe size?

Read the print on the pipe, or measure the OD and match it to the chart. For a quick check, wrap a string around the pipe and divide its length by 3.14. A 4.13-inch string means 1-inch pipe.

How long is a 2-inch PVC pipe?

A 2-inch PVC pipe usually comes in 10-foot or 20-foot lengths. Its OD is 2.375 inches, and the Schedule 40 wall is 0.154 inch. A 20-foot stick weighs about 14.4 pounds.

Conclusion

PVC pipe dimensions come down to three numbers: nominal size, OD and wall thickness. Match the OD, pick the right schedule, and check the pressure rating for your water temperature. Keep this chart handy and you will buy the right pipe the first time.