How do you measure copper pipe size?
The copper pipes outer diameter (OD) can be measured in inches (“), nominal Bore (NB), and metric size. Nominal bore and outer diameter size is corresponded to each other’s. The outer diameter is always 1/8 inch bigger than the nominal size. For example, a 2” nominal bore copper pipe is equal to 2 1/8" outer diameter. It is applicable to all three common types of pipe. The size of diameter that is available ranges from 6 mm to 54 mm, while nominal bore size available size from 1/8” to 4”.
Specification
| Nominal Bore (NB) | Outer Diameter (Inch OD) |
| 1/8" | 1/4" |
| 1/4" | 3/8" |
| 3/8" | 1/2" |
| 1/2" | 5/8" |
| 5/8" | 3/4" |
| 3/4" | 7/8" |
| 7/8" | 1" |
| 1" | 1 1/8" |
| 1 1/4" | 1 3/8" |
| 1 1/2" | 1 5/8" |
| 2" | 2 1/8" |
| 2 1/2" | 2 5/8" |
| 3" | 3 1/8" |
| 3 1/2" | 3 5/8" |
| 4" | 4 1/8" |
What is the wall thickness of Type K, L, M copper pipe?
Three different types of ASTM B88 copper pipes used in system installation are type L, M and K. They are considered some of the most common types of pipes, with its actual purpose being similar, but their specifications a tiny bit different. The key difference between these three types of copper pipes is that Type K pipes have thicker walls compared to Type L, and Type L walls thickness is thicker than Type M. Therefore, the copper pipe wall thickness determines different working pressure and application for each type of pipe.
| Nominal Bore (NB) | Outer Diameter (Inch OD) | Outer Diameter (mm OD) | Wall Thickness | Wall Thickness | Wall Thickness |
| Type K | Type L | Type M |
| 1/8" | 1/4" | 6.35 | 0.035" | 0.030" | - |
| 1/4" | 3/8" | 9.53 | 0.035" | 0.030" | - |
| 3/8" | 1/2" | 12.7 | 0.049" | 0.035" | 0.025" |
| 1/2" | 5/8" | 15.88 | 0.049" | 0.040" | 0.028" |
| 5/8" | 3/4" | 19.05 | 0.049" | 0.042" | 0.028" |
| 3/4" | 7/8" | 22.23 | 0.065" | 0.045" | 0.032" |
| 7/8" | 1" | 25.4 | 0.065" | 0.050" | 0.035" |
| 1" | 1 1/8" | 28.58 | 0.065" | 0.050" | 0.035" |
| 1 1/4" | 1 3/8" | 34.93 | 0.065" | 0.055" | 0.042" |
| 1 1/2" | 1 5/8" | 41.28 | 0.072" | 0.060" | 0.049" |
| 2" | 2 1/8" | 53.98 | 0.083" | 0.070" | 0.058" |
| 2 1/2" | 2 5/8" | 66.68 | 0.095" | 0.080" | 0.065" |
| 3" | 3 1/8" | 79.38 | 0.109" | 0.090" | 0.072" |
| 3 1/2" | 3 5/8" | 92.08 | 0.120" | 0.100" | 0.083" |
| 4" | 4 1/8" | 104.78 | 0.134" | 0.110" | 0.095" |
| 5" | 5 1/8" | 130.18 | 0.160" | 0.125" | 0.109" |
| 6" | 6 1/8" | 155.58 | 0.192" | 0.140" | 0.122" |
What is the difference between copper pipe type K, L and M?
| Copper Pipe | System Application |
| Type K Copper Pipe | Water Distribution |
| Fire Protection |
| Oil & LPG Gas |
| HVAC |
| Compression and flare fittings |
| Type L Copper Pipe | Interior Plumbing |
| Fire Protection |
| Some HVAC applications |
| Waterline repairing |
| Compression and flare fittings |
| Type M Copper Pipe | Flexible Form |
| Domestic Water Service |
| Vacuum systems |
| Compression and flare fittings |
| Low Pressure steam |
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FAQ
1. Why use copper tubing?
Copper tubing is often preferred in plumbing applications due to several of its unique properties:
Excellent conductive material, great for transferring heat in HVAC setups
Difficult material for bacteria to grow on, ideal for use in water-carrying applications
Copper tubing is a strong and durable material that doesn’t corrode easily, yet offers enough flexibility for buildings and systems that require tight bends and cornering
2. What tool can you use to cut copper pipes?
Copper tubes can be cut using a tubing cutter or a hacksaw.
3. Why Yutai?
Yutai is our own brand range and brings you a wide range of high-quality, great value products offering you more choice. Trusted by engineers all over the world, every part of every Yutai product has been rigorously tested against demanding industry standards.
