Pipe Schedule SCH 40, 80, and 160 — Complete Weight and Thickness Chart Guide
"What schedule pipe do I need?" — this is one of the most common questions asked by engineers and procurement teams specifying industrial piping. This reference guide explains what pipe schedule means, provides wall thickness charts for all common sizes, includes the weight calculation formula, and compares SCH 40, 80, and 160 for practical selection. As a steel stockist in Vadodara with all schedules in ready stock, Creative Metal Industries provides this as a free reference tool alongside our comprehensive steel weight charts and MS angle ISMC weight chart.
What Does Pipe Schedule Mean?
Pipe schedule is a dimensionless number that defines the wall thickness of a pipe for a given nominal size. It was originally derived from the formula:
Where P = internal working pressure (psi) and S = allowable stress of the material (psi).
The key principle: for the same nominal pipe size (NPS), ALL schedules have the SAME outside diameter (OD). Only the wall thickness changes. Higher schedule = thicker wall = smaller bore = higher pressure capacity = heavier pipe.
Wall Thickness Chart — SCH 10S, 40, 80, 160 (mm)
| NPS | OD (mm) | SCH 10S | SCH 40 | SCH 80 | SCH 160 | XXS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 21.3 | 2.11 | 2.77 | 3.73 | 4.78 | 7.47 |
| 3/4" | 26.7 | 2.11 | 2.87 | 3.91 | 5.56 | 7.82 |
| 1" | 33.4 | 2.77 | 3.38 | 4.55 | 6.35 | 9.09 |
| 1-1/2" | 48.3 | 2.77 | 3.68 | 5.08 | 7.14 | 10.16 |
| 2" | 60.3 | 2.77 | 3.91 | 5.54 | 8.74 | 11.07 |
| 3" | 88.9 | 3.05 | 5.49 | 7.62 | 11.13 | 15.24 |
| 4" | 114.3 | 3.05 | 6.02 | 8.56 | 13.49 | 17.12 |
| 6" | 168.3 | 3.40 | 7.11 | 10.97 | 18.26 | 21.95 |
| 8" | 219.1 | 3.76 | 8.18 | 12.70 | 23.01 | 22.23 |
| 10" | 273.1 | 4.19 | 9.27 | 12.70 | 28.58 | 25.40 |
| 12" | 323.9 | 4.57 | 9.53 | 12.70 | 33.32 | 25.40 |
All values in mm. Per ASME B36.10M (carbon steel) and B36.19M (stainless steel). SCH 5S/10S are stainless steel schedules.
Weight Calculation Formula
Weight (kg/m) = (OD − WT) × WT × 0.02466 × Density Factor
Where OD = outside diameter (mm), WT = wall thickness (mm)
Density factors: Carbon Steel = 1.00 (7.85 g/cm³) | Stainless Steel = 1.02 (8.0 g/cm³) | Aluminium = 0.35
Example: 2" SCH 40 CS pipe: (60.3 − 3.91) × 3.91 × 0.02466 = 5.44 kg/m
SCH 40 vs SCH 80 vs SCH 160 — Key Differences
| Factor | SCH 40 | SCH 80 | SCH 160 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also called | Standard Weight (STD) | Extra Strong (XS) | — |
| Wall (2" pipe) | 3.91 mm | 5.54 mm | 8.74 mm |
| Weight (2" CS) | 5.44 kg/m | 7.48 kg/m | 11.11 kg/m |
| Bore ID (2") | 52.5 mm | 49.2 mm | 42.8 mm |
| Relative pressure | Baseline (1.0×) | ~1.4× | ~2.2× |
| Cost | Lowest | ~30% more | ~80% more |
| Flow capacity | Highest | Reduced ~12% | Reduced ~34% |
Applications for Each Schedule
- SCH 5S / 10S: Low-pressure stainless steel process piping, pharmaceutical, food & dairy, instrument lines. Thin wall = economical for corrosion-resistant service where pressure is low.
- SCH 40 (STD): Most common industrial schedule. General process piping, water supply, fire protection, HVAC, low-to-moderate pressure process lines up to ~150°C/20 bar.
- SCH 80 (XS): Higher-pressure process piping, steam lines, hydraulic systems, chemical injection. When SCH 40 isn't sufficient but full high-pressure isn't needed.
- SCH 120: Intermediate between 80 and 160. Less common — used when exact pressure calculation falls between 80 and 160 capabilities.
- SCH 160: High-pressure service — refinery process piping, boiler feed water, high-pressure steam, ammonia service. Significant cost and weight premium.
- XXS (Double Extra Strong): Maximum wall thickness. Extreme pressure (6000+ PSI), hydraulic jacks, high-pressure test lines, pipe used as structural columns.
Why Source Pipes from Creative Metal Industries?
- All schedules in stock: SCH 5S through XXS in carbon steel (ASTM A106/A53) and stainless steel (ASTM A312) at our Vadodara warehouse
- All sizes: 1/2" to 24" — seamless and welded — ready for immediate dispatch
- Weight charts available: Complete MS angle, ISMC, ISMB weight charts and pipe schedule reference at our products page
- Cut-to-length: Pipe cutting to your exact requirements — no wastage on odd lengths
- Technical support: Not sure which schedule? Call us with your design pressure and temperature — we'll confirm the correct schedule per ASME B31.3
- Same-day dispatch: Standard schedules (40, 80) in common sizes ship same day from GIDC Makarpura, Vadodara
Frequently Asked Questions — Pipe Schedules
What does pipe schedule mean?
A dimensionless number defining wall thickness for a given pipe size. Formula: Schedule ≈ 1000 × (P/S). Higher schedule = thicker wall = higher pressure. SCH 40 = standard, SCH 80 = extra strong, SCH 160/XXS = extreme pressure. Same OD for all schedules — only wall changes.
What is the difference between SCH 40 and SCH 80?
Same OD but different wall thickness. 2-inch example: SCH 40 wall = 3.91mm, SCH 80 = 5.54mm. SCH 80 has ~40% higher pressure rating, weighs ~38% more, costs ~30% more, and has ~12% less internal flow area (smaller bore).
How to calculate pipe weight per metre?
Weight (kg/m) = (OD - WT) × WT × 0.02466 for carbon steel. For stainless steel multiply by 1.02. Example: 2" SCH 40 = (60.3 - 3.91) × 3.91 × 0.02466 = 5.44 kg/m. Or use our free weight chart at creativemetalind.com/products.
Need Pipes in Any Schedule?
SCH 5S to XXS. Carbon steel + stainless steel. All sizes in ready stock at Vadodara. Same-day dispatch.