Copper Pipe Size Chart report
Copper pipe is a type of non-ferrous metal pipe, which is a pressed and drawn seamless pipe. Copper pipe has good electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, making it the primary material for conductive accessories and heat dissipation accessories of electronic products. It has become the first choice for modern contractors when installing water, heating, and cooling pipes in all residential and commercial buildings.
The copper pipe has strong corrosion resistance, is not easy to oxidize, is not easy to react chemically with some liquid substances, and is easy to bend and shape. Copper is lightweight, and the copper pipe does not require the thickness of ferrous metal. When installed, copper pipes are less expensive to transport, easier to maintain, and need less space.
Archaeologists have discovered 4,500-year-old copper water pipes in Egyptian pyramids that are still in use today. It is useful to know the size of your incoming pipes. This article explains the different types of copper pipes and the common pipe sizes on the market.
Copper Pipe Types
The three most common types of copper pipe used in residential and commercial construction are Type K, Type L, and Type M. A fourth type, used for drain-waste-vent, or DWV, piping, can be found in some older homes. The following are general descriptions of these four types:
- K Copper Pipe
Type K copper pipe has the thickest wall of all the common types. It is recommended for main water lines and underground installations because its thickness helps it withstand the pressure from backfilled earth.
- L Copper Pipe
Type L is considered the most common type of copper pipe, as it can be used in many more applications than Type K. L copper is thinner than type K. Flexible L copper can be used to repair or replace old water lines, and also can be used outside the home where it will be directly exposed.
- M Copper Pipe
Type M copper pipe is thinner than both type K and L copper pipe. Type M tubing is favored for residential work for its relatively low price. But it is not always allowed in all areas and applications due to thin wall. People should always check with the local building authority for restrictions on its use.
- Copper DWV Piping
Copper pipe for plumbing drains and vents was used in many old homes and commercial applications and has been all but replaced with PVC or ABS plastic pipe in modern construction. DWV pipe usually has yellow markings to distinguish it from M copper.
Copper Pipe Size Guide
The actual outside diameter (OD) of copper pipe is always 1/8 inch larger than the nominal size. It is true with all three common types of copper pipe, K, L, and M. The inside diameter (ID) of copper pipe is determined by the wall thickness of the pipe, which varies by the pipe type. The internal or external fluid pressure may determine the type of copper piping specified for any application, the installation, the service conditions, and the local building code requirements.
Copper Pipe Size Chart
It comes in different pipe sizes, such as 3/4", 1", etc., generally referring to the pipe diameter. The following data will be used as a guide for information purposes only.
| Nominal Size | O.D. | K* I.D. | L* I.D. | M* I.D. | DWV* I.D. | K* Wall Thickness | L* Wall Thickness | M* Wall Thickness | DWV* Wall Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4" | 0.375 | 0.305 | 0.315 | - | - | 0.035 | 0.030 | - | - |
| 3/8" | 0.500 | 0.402 | 0.430 | 0.450 | - | 0.049 | 0.035 | 0.025 | - |
| 1/2" | 0.625 | 0.527 | 0.545 | 0.569 | - | 0.049 | 0.040 | 0.028 | - |
| 5/8" | 0.750 | 0.652 | 0.666 | - | - | 0.049 | 0.042 | - | - |
| 3/4" | 0.875 | 0.745 | 0.785 | 0.811 | - | 0.065 | 0.045 | 0.032 | - |
| 1" | 1.125 | 0.995 | 1.025 | 1.055 | - | 0.065 | 0.050 | 0.035 | - |
| 1 1/4" | 1.375 | 1.245 | 1.265 | 1.291 | 1.295 | 0.065 | 0.055 | 0.042 | 0.040 |
| 1 1/2" | 1.625 | 1.481 | 1.505 | 1.527 | 1.541 | 0.072 | 0.060 | 0.049 | 0.042 |
| 2" | 2.125 | 1.959 | 1.985 | 2.009 | 2.041 | 0.083 | 0.070 | 0.058 | 0.042 |
| 2 1/2" | 2.625 | 2.435 | 2.465 | 2.495 | - | 0.095 | 0.080 | 0.065 | - |
| 3" | 3.125 | 2.907 | 2.945 | 2.981 | 3.030 | 0.109 | 0.090 | 0.072 | 0.045 |
| 3 1/2" | 3.625 | 3.385 | 3.425 | 3.459 | - | 0.120 | 0.100 | 0.083 | - |
| 4" | 4.125 | 3.857 | 3.897 | 3.935 | 4.009 | 0.134 | 0.114 | 0.095 | 0.058 |
| 5" | 5.125 | 4.805 | 4.875 | 4.907 | 4.981 | 0.160 | 0.125 | 0.109 | 0.072 |
| 6" | 6.125 | 5.741 | 5.845 | 5.881 | 5.959 | 0.192 | 0.140 | 0.122 | 0.083 |
| 8" | 8.125 | 7.853 | 7.725 | 7.785 | - | 0.271 | 0.200 | 0.170 | - |
| 10" | 10.125 | 9.449 | 9.625 | 9.701 | - | 0.338 | 0.250 | 0.212 | - |
| 12" | 12.125 | 11.315 | 11.565 | 11.617 | - | 0.404 | 0.280 | 0.254 | - |
Conclusion
Copper pipes are resistant to high temperatures and can be used in various environments. Compared to this, the disadvantages of many other pipes are apparent. It is easy to check the size of your pipes. First, check on the pipe itself. It will be labeled or written on the side or a valve. If not, you can measure copper pipe size. For specific applications or uses, check your local building code requirements.
