PVC pipe is something you’ve heard of. It’s a white plastic tube commonly used for drainage and plumbing. Polyvinyl chloride has become a popular alternative to metal, and it’s no surprise given its many uses. It is one of the most popular plastics globally due to its strength and durability. It’s also great in terms of ease of installation and its low cost, which is why it’s so common in plumbing. They are thermoplastic materials that can be molded into various shapes to make pipes and fittings. It’s also great for valves and other liquid-handling equipment.

The nominal system is used to measure the component. This means that rather than specific measures, all measurements are dependent on the types of structures. A one-inch line is defined as 0.84 inches measured from one end to the other. Each form of pipe schedule has its own set of applications.

The PVC pipe size charts below are the easiest ways to get the dimension for schedules 20, 40, 80, & 120. From them, you can see the following:

Here’s everything you need to know about PVC pipe sizes and charts, including dimensions and more! Let’s dive deeper into PVC pipe schedules.

They have the lowest resistance, and customers often use them in gravity-fed septic systems and drainage. They’re also used for stormwater projects. Its wall is significantly lighter than Schedule 40s. You should only utilize it in situations where no traffic or other types of machinery are crossing the region. The outside diameter is the same as SDR 35, and all Schedule 20 and SDR 35 fittings are interchangeable.

Here’s the appropriate schedule 20 PVC pipe dimensions chart you need.

Drainage and low-pressure water flow applications call for Schedule 40. They can absorb temperatures of up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, while pipe lengths are available in 10 inches and 20 inches portions. Schedule 40 comes with either a plain or a belled end and does not require installation.

Here’s the appropriate chart.

The main difference lies within the thickness. The thickness of schedule 20 is just enough to hold up for a couple of years. The thickness is much smaller than schedule 40 and easily bends out of shape. Try crushing it with your hand, and you’ll succeed to some extent. This means it won’t hold up for a lifetime. However, with schedule 40, you can install it in your home and forget about it. Generations ahead of you won’t need to replace it since it’s super thick.

Moreover, you’ll usually find that schedule 40 pipes are white in color while schedule 20 are black.

These pipes provide good corrosion resistance and are perfect for plumbing and drainage systems. You can also install them in dust collection systems or vacuums in a plumbing supply house.

Schedule 20 pipes are rated up to 200psi. This is more than you’ll need for a tank in a residential or commercial space. It can easily be used to transport water from the well to the home or from the main to the house. The pressure rating tells us the maximum amount of pressure a pipe can bear at a certain temperature under normal conditions.

You can easily find these at your nearest home depot. But it is becoming harder to find as it no longer meets the code requirements of construction. But if you need it for other projects, head over to Mcdonnell Hardware and Feed. If you are lucky, you can also find some online.

If you’re looking for particularly thin walls, it might be Schedule 30 you’re looking for. These are ideal for drainage applications where lightweight and non-toxic pipes are needed. You can also go with the classic 1” thin-wall PVC.

This is the ultimate level of strength. You may find them beneath parking lots and other high-traffic locations. It’s typically utilized in pump stations when you need a bit more strength than Schedule 40 PVC. Because it has a similar outer diameter as Schedule 40 PVC, you may use it with all Schedule 80 and 40 fittings.

Here’s the appropriate chart.

Its outer diameter can be as much as 24 inches. Tubes in this category have wall thicknesses ranging from 11.13mm to 46.02mm. Different grades of carbon steel have varying pressure capabilities for the same tubing size. Many use them in applications ranging from low to high pressure. In most sectors, workers use them for gas and liquid transportation.

Carbon steels may be robust, but they are not recommended for corrosive applications. Its durability makes them suitable for use in the construction and automotive industries.

Here’s the appropriate chart.

Schedule 40 and 80 are the two most prevalent forms of this pipe. Schedule 40 PVC is often white, while 80 is typically dark gray and available in other colors. Their design is the most significant distinction. The wall thickness of the Schedule 80 pipe is thicker. As a result, the tube is more stagnant and robust and can withstand more considerable pressure.

Schedule 40 is perhaps the most familiar to you. It’s the white pipe you see surrounding buildings for sewage, and it’s available at local hardware stores. This pipe best serves drainage and irrigation. They’re also great for other cold-water systems. Schedule 40 PVC is sturdy and stiff, which makes it resistant to pressure.

Late in the nineteenth century, polyvinyl chloride was discovered. The newly-generated chemical gas, vinyl chloride, was exposed to sunlight. Scientists observed that it underwent a chemical reaction that resulted in an off-white solid substance. This substance is now called polymerization. To understand this substance, I highly recommend you continue reading below:

This is one of the most widespread and adaptable types of plastic piping. It has been in use for more than 80 years, serving a variety of applications in various market sectors all over the world. These are incredibly sturdy and durable, with excellent corrosion resistance. They have little risk of succumbing to thermal expansion or contraction than metal piping. These pipes are both affordable and durable, and they come in a variety of sizes with various attachments. Regardless of the type of PVC variant, you may use them for both warm and cold-water applications.

Plumbers broadly apply them in constructing sewer and water mains. They’re also used for irrigation systems. Since they are easy to install and lightweight, they are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. They’re also strong and durable, with the added benefit of being easily recyclable. This component has a smooth surface. It helps water flow faster due to reduced friction than tubing constructed of other materials like cast iron or concrete. You may have them in various lengths and wall thicknesses. They also come in various diameters to meet international sizing requirements like DIN 8061 and ASTM F441. ASTM D1785 is another standard to know about.

PVC is used for a range of items and categories, including:

These tubes are made by extruding Polyvinyl chloride as raw material. They generally follow the same procedures as standard pipe extrusion operations:

Despite having a manufacturing process similar to that of most plastic piping, they have inherent properties. They present significant hurdles in production and trade placement to pipe makers.

Polyvinyl chloride is rigid and brittle in its original form. It is an additive to industrial and commercial uses. For more flexibility and softness, manufacturers add plasticizers. The addition of heat stabilizers makes it resistant to extremely high temperatures. Long sunlight exposure would damage most plastics, but the addition of UV stabilizers makes the product resistant.

One of the variants of PVC is CPVC, where higher chlorine content is present. Higher chlorine makes its high-temperature threshold more than the regular PVC. It can withstand temperatures up to 200 F, while the regular variant can only stand up to 140 F before it starts melting. CPVC is the preferred type for transporting hot water in Heating-Ventilation-and-Cooling systems (HVAC). There is a mandate on building codes that require the use of CPVC.

UPVC is the original form of polyvinyl chloride. It does not contain softening additives, making it rigid and brittle. This type is best for construction requirements, where flexibility is not a primary concern. Manufacturers use it as a weatherboarding or siding material on the walls of houses across different countries. 

You should use the nominal scale to compute its measurements. Of course, you will need to base their measurements on their hand structures rather than accurate scale measurements. I will include a handy guide below to help you figure out what size you’ll need.

To further explain it, you will see a detailed guide below on how to measure them:

How to measure PVC pipe

While measuring, keep your ruler as level as possible.

Remember that these measurements are for the exterior border, not the inside. Your inner measurements may vary depending on the pipe schedule you require.

They have a somewhat greater outer diameter than their name suggests. They also employ a nominal system. They are compatible parts that have identical designations. All 1-inch pipes will fit in 1-inch fittings, and so on. The dimensions in its names represent the nominal sizes, not necessarily the length. This is a challenging notion to grasp, but the goal of the nominal system is to make finding the correct parts easier.

If you are concerned about which one should you use, here is a detailed comparison further below before you add products to your shopping cart. It’s no different form making sure you get the right piece of equipment or tool.

The crucial physical difference between schedule 40 and 80 is its wall thickness. With a significant increase in ratings, the material thickness of pipes and fittings will be increased. For the specified size, Schedule 40 will have thinner walls. This entails less material, leading to a weaker result. It could impair project acceptability if the plumbing’s integrity is questioned for the intended usage. Thicker tubes will have more vital structural and chemical endurance and rigidity than those with a higher schedule. They’re better at handling strain and pressure resistance.

The thickness specifications can be very important depending on the functionality needed.

Plumbing’s highest pounds per square inch (psi) pressure rating is governed by how they schedule it. For better pressure handling, tubing with higher numbers is suitable for you. The increased material thickness indicated by the tube is a direct outcome of their service tolerance for excess water pressure. In general, Schedule 80 is a safer and more durable option for pressurized liquid applications. If operational pressure ranges are recognized to be within the specified parameters, Schedule 40 may be a good fit.

The Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) dimensions for schedule 40 and 80 tubings will be the same for the same size. The NPS measurement is equivalent to their Outer Diameter (OD), which is the same for both types. The significance between schedules 40 and 80 is the Inner Diameter (ID) measurement. The extra material utilized in schedule 80 merely thickens the sidewalls on the interior of the piping. Schedule 80 has a smaller inner diameter, which causes a little limitation in fluid flow through the tube.

Plumbing with a Schedule 80 rating has a higher purchase price than plumbing parts with a 40 rating. The additional material that provides for the thicker sidewall of schedule 80 and the incorporated colorant contributes to its higher cost.

Tubes in schedules 40 and 80 are frequently colored differently to distinguish them. Schedule 40 plumbing is usually a natural white with no color additions, whereas Schedule 80 plumbing is usually a colored grey. It’s worth noting that there are often exceptions to the rule, and certain manufacturers may not adhere to the standard color scheme. While color can help distinguish between Schedule 40 and 80 piping, always double-check by looking at the detailed information printed on the tubing sides.

Schedule 40 or 80 piping constructed of the same material is installed in the same way. According to ASTM standards, outside diameters shall be equal across pipe schedules with equivalent NPS. This feature supports tubing of varying scheduling to joining them using standard fittings and joining methods for that piping content.

Schedule 80 plumbing is stronger and more resistant than its 40 counterparts because of its thicker wall thickness. Use more significant pipes for the components in plumbing applications. They should be suitable for elevated pressure stress and mechanical stresses.

This isn’t to assume that schedule 80 is ideal because an application will handle chemicals or liquids under pressure. Plumbing applications are pretty precise, especially those involving chemicals. Many people base their optimal choice on an educated assessment, whether 40 or 80. It considers all the structure’s intended usage characteristics. Schedule 40 plumbing over 80 plumbing can save both piping material and associated expenditures if Schedule 40 is acceptable for the operational parameters of the scenario.

It comes in a variety of sizes, as you might anticipate. 1 1/2 inches, 2 inches, 3 inches, and 4 inches are the most popular diameters used in the home. You should use the one 1/2-inch dimension to collect water from a bathroom vanity or a bathtub.

Professionals measure pipes in outer diameter. It will be if you measure the outer diameter (OD) of tubing in inches or fractions of an inch. However, the nominal pipe size or inside diameter (ID) is the most common measure of pipe. Even though it is related to the exterior diameter, it is vastly different.

1.5 inches, schedule 40 has a nominal inside diameter of 1.5 inches and an outside diameter (OD) of 1-7/8 inches. Thus, the socket for 1.5 inches fittings is approximately 1-7/8 inches in diameter.

I highly recommend using the pipe’s ID (Inside Diameter) to identify it, and it is known as a “nominal” size. It implies “in name only.” This complicates everything as most beginners try to order parts using the OD (Outer Diameter).

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