1/2 inch pvc pipe in mm

The outer diameter of PVC pipe is actually slightly larger than what its name says. This is because PVC pipe and fittings use a nominal system. That means that compatible parts are given the same name, so all 1" pipe will fit in 1" fittings and so on. The measurements in pipe names are the PVC nominal pipe sizes, but not how necessarily how far they measure across. This is a confusing concept, but the point of this nominal system is to make selecting the right parts easier.

PVC Pipe OD Chart

The PVC pipe OD chart below shows the nominal size of the PVC pipe on the left along with the actual OD on the right. As mentioned before, the OD for schedule 40 and schedule 80 PVC pipe are always the same.

How to Measure the Outside Diameter of PVC Pipe

1. Look at the end of a piece of PVC pipe.
2. Find the widest point across the opening.
3. Measure from the outside edge of the pipe to the opposite outside edge.
4. This measurement is the outside diameter or "OD" of the pipe.

OD: Schedule 40 vs. Schedule 80

For regular schedule 40 PVC pipe, the title 1", for instance, means that the inner diameter (ID) is 1". The pipe walls themselves have a thickness, though. The OD of 1" PVC pipe is 1.315". Schedule 80 PVC pipe has thicker walls than schedule 40, but still has the same OD. This means that the ID of 1" schedule 80 PVC pipe is actually slightly less than 1". While ID of pipe may vary by schedule, the ID of fittings is always the same as the OD of the pipe it is meant to work with. Regardless of schedule, a 1" PVC pipe will fit into a 1" fitting. The outside diameter of PVC pipe fittings is unimportant, as you will probably never be putting a fitting inside a bigger fitting.

Wall Thickness

As PVC pipe increases in diameter, the walls must also be thicker. If the walls were too thin, the pipe would lack structural integrity. To find PVC pipe OD sizes, you cannot simply add a certain amount to the size on the label. The OD for 1/2" PVC pipe is 0.840" and the OD for 3" PVC pipe is 3.500". If the nominal size is the ID, then that means 1/2" PVC pipe walls are .170" thick and 3" PVC pipe walls are 0.250" thick. The wall thickness continues increasing as the pipe gets larger.

FORMUFIT products are compatible with most Schedule-based PVC pipe systems.  To provide additional support, the following tables outline the physical dimensions and pipe diameter of each PVC Pipe Size that will work with FORMUFIT products.

Each of the following dimensions are separated by Schedule in each table and follow the 'Nominal Size' rules. Refer to the diagram below for an explanation of each measurement. .

PVC Pipe is identified by the Inside Diameter (ID) of the pipe.  This measurement is known as ‘Nominal’ which means in-name-only, or a referenced name.  One of the issues encountered with many of our customers is that they attempt to measure the Outside Diameter (OD) of the pipe, which will give a completely different (and larger) PVC pipe dimension. 

This is the measurement of the pipe, from the top to the bottom or the left to the right, from the outside edges of the pipe.

This measurement does not equal the PVC pipe size.

This is the measurement of the pipe, from the top to the bottom or the left to the right, from the inside hole (bore) of the pipe.

This is the measurement that is used to determine the PVC pipe size

This is the measurement of the thickness of the PVC pipe wall from the outside to the inside.

The wall thickness is the measurement that changes between the different Schedules of PVC pipe.

If you prefer to measure the outer diameter of PVC pipe use the tables below:

1. Take your OD measurement and look in the second or third column (Actual OD) of each table below.  
2. Once the pipe OD is determined, look to the left-most column of the charge below (Pipe Size).  This will be the nominal pipe size, or the size of fittings you want to order.

PVC Schedule 40 Sizes Table

Schedule 40 PVC pipe is compatible with all FORMUFIT external-fit and internal-fit products.

Pipe SizeDecimal ODFraction ODMetric ODAverage IDMin. Wall1/2"0.840"13/16"21.33 mm0.622"0.109"3/4"1.050"1-1/16"26.67 mm0.824"0.113"1"1.315"1-5/16"33.40 mm1.049"0.133"1-1/4"1.660"1-5/8"42.16 mm1.380"0.140"1-1/2"1.900"1-7/8"48.26 mm1.610"0.145"2"2.375”2-3/8”60.32 mm2.067”0.154"

PVC Schedule 80 Sizes Table

Schedule 80 PVC pipe is only compatible with FORMUFIT external-fit products. FORMUFIT internal-fit products, such as Internal Dome Caps, Adjustable Elbows, Internal Couplings and other products that fit inside of the PVC pipe will not work with SCH 80 PVC due to the smaller internal diameter.

Pipe SizeDecimal ODFraction ODMetric ODAverage IDMin. Wall1/2"0.840"13/16"21.33 mm0.546"0.147"3/4”1.050"1-1/16"26.67 mm0.742"0.154"1"1.315"1-5/16"33.40 mm0.957"0.179"1-1/4”1.660"1-5/8"42.16 mm1.278"0.191"1-1/2”1.900"1-7/8"48.26 mm1.500"0.200"2"2.375”2-3/8”60.32 mm1.939"0.218"

PVC Thinwall Sizes Table

Thinwall PVC pipe is only compatible with FORMUFIT external-fit products. FORMUFIT internal-fit products, such as Internal Dome Caps, Adjustable Elbows, Internal Couplings and other products that fit inside of the PVC pipe will not work with Thinwall PVC due to the larger inner diameter.

Please note that not all PVC sizes are available in Thinwall PVC pipe.

Pipe SizeDecimal ODFraction ODMetric ODAverage IDMin. Wall3/4”1.050"1-1/16"26.67 mm0.920”0.065”1"1.315"1-5/16"33.40 mm1.185”0.065”1-1/2”1.900"1-7/8"48.26 mm1.750”0.075”

CPVC Pipe

CPVC pipe, also known as Copper Tube Size (CTS) plastic pipe uses a different measurement system and is not compatible with FORMUFIT PVC products. Please see our CPVC Identification Page for more information.

Additional Ratings

Please note that we do not provide pressure rating or temperature ratings for PVC pipe and fittings as our products are designed for structural use and are not ideal for plumbing applications. While our products do carry the same ratings as standard Schedule 40 and PVC plumbing pipe and fittings, they have not been tested with the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) for residential or commercial plumbing applications.  They are approved for aquarium, irrigation and hydroponics use.

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