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How to Calculate the Wall Thickness of a Pipe

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Pipes are divided into different categories based on both length and the thickness of their walls. A pipe's wall thickness is especially important to know during construction projects, as a pipe with too thin a wall may burst under pressure.

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Pipe walls vary quite a bit in terms of thickness.

The formula used for calculating the thickness of a pipe's wall is fairly simple, as is the method for figuring out the pipe's wall measurements.

  1. Place your ruler or measuring tape over the mouth of the pipe.

  2. Measure the diameter of the pipe from the top of the outer wall to the bottom of the outer wall. Note this down on a piece of paper.

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  3. Measure the diameter from the top inner wall to the bottom inner wall. Note this number down on a piece of paper as well.

  4. Plug the two numbers into the following formula:

    👉 Discover more in this in-depth guide.

  5. (Diameter of Outer Wall - Diameter of Inner Wall)/2. The resulting number is the thickness of the pipe wall.

Table of Contents

The Drip Cap

  • Pipes are divided into different categories based on both length and the thickness of their walls.
  • A pipe's wall thickness is especially important to know during construction projects, as a pipe with too thin a wall may burst under pressure.
  • Measure the diameter from the top inner wall to the bottom inner wall.