How to Measure a Steel Pipe

You will need an outside micrometer to measure the outside dimension of a pipe.
••• Steve Cole/Photodisc/Getty Images

When people first start measuring pipes, they may be confused. After all, pipe sizes range from 1/16 up to 4, but these sizes don't seem to match with the actual dimensions of the pipe itself. In addition, male pipe pipes and female pipes are sized slightly differently. In order to measure either type of pipe accurately, you need to measure its OD (outside diameter) and compare it to a chart of pipe sizes.

Measuring Male Pipes

    Place the calipers of the micrometer around the part of the pipe that screws into the adjacent pipe.

    Turn the micrometer screw until the calipers gently grip the pipe.

    Look at the sleeve of the micrometer and take note of the measurement displayed.

    Open the Plumbing Supply website. Look in the chart to find the measurement in column 2. Locate the thread (or pipe) size directly to the right of the cell you just identified.

Measuring Female Pipes

    Place the calipers of the micrometer around the main section of the pipe.

    Turn the micrometer screw until the calipers gently grip the pipe.

    Look at the sleeve of the micrometer and take note of the measurement displayed.

    Follow the steps for determining male pipe size on the Plumbing Supply website to determine the female pipe size.

    Tips

    • Male pipes may be labeled "MPT" (Male Pipe Thread), whereas female pipes may be labeled "FPT" (Female Pipe Thread).

    Warnings

    • Do not size the pipe based on the number of threads per inch. There can be several different sizes that have the same threads per inch, so this method is inaccurate.

Related Articles

How to Calculate Outside Diameter
How to Calculate the Area of a Pipe
Big Native Spiders in Wisconsin
How to Calculate the Volume of a Pipe
How to Measure the Diameter of Round Objects
How to Know If an Ascaris Is a Male or Female?
How to Calculate the Radius of a Pipe
Common House Spiders and Their Mating Habits
Indentification of Pacific Northwest Spiders
What Is Wrought Steel Pipe?
How to Calculate Flow Rate With Pipe Size and Pressure
Instructions for Using a General Tools 17 Square Head...
How to Make a 3D Model of the Muscular System for a...
How to Calculate 30 KW to Amps
How to Calculate Motor Current With Winding Resistance
How to Convert Watts to Volts
How to Calculate Wheel Circumference
How to Calculate the Diameter of a Circle From a Linear...
How to Use a Multimeter for the Beginner

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!