You have probably heard the terms pipe and tube used interchangeably, and there's a good chance you aren't exactly sure what the difference is between them. Most people, even experts working in related industries, don't actually know. After all, how different can hollow cylinders get, and who really cares enough to go and look? Well, I had to know...
Even looking on the internet can lead to confusion, as many websites have mistakenly misidentified the real differences between them. Well, since I'm a know-it-all, let me explain as best I can what exactly differentiates tube and pipe. There's a nifty looking infographic you can share at the bottom.
Tubing is generally used for structural purposes and the OD is an important and exact number. Tubing size is specified by OD and WT (wall thickness). The stated OD and measured OD are generally within very close tolerances of each other. Tubing is usually more expensive than pipe due to tighter manufacturing tolerances.
Interestingly, while the stated and measured OD’s of tubing are almost exact in most cases, copper tubing generally has a measured OD that is 1/8” larger than stated OD. As such, maybe it should be called copper pipe. However, stainless steel, aluminum, and steel tubing all have measured and stated OD’s that are exact or within a specified tolerance, usually in the thousandths of an inch (e.g. +/- 0.04").
Pipes are categorized as tubular vessels used in pipeline and piping systems, and commonly transport gases and fluids. They are specified by “Nominal Pipe Size” (NPS) and Schedule (wall thickness). NPS is a size standard established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and should NOT be confused with the various thread standards such as NPT and NPSC.
The manufacturing of Nominal Pipe Sizes from 1/8” to 12” is based on a standardized nominal outside diameter (OD) that is different from the measured OD. NPS pipe 14” and up have measured OD’s that correspond to the nominal size.
The reason many people, including plumbers, engineers, and others, mistakenly believe NPS refers to the ID on smaller pipes is because of how the standard was originally defined. The standardized OD was originally defined so that a pipe with a standardized OD and wall thickness typical of the period when it was established, would have a pipe ID that was approximately equal to the nominal size of the pipe. For example, 3” Schedule 40 NPS has an outside diameter and wall thickness that very roughly gives it an inside diameter of 3”. Regardless of the wall thickness the nominal OD of a pipe will not change.
The long and short is that the NPS was defined so you would know approximately what ID you were working with and could count on the OD never changing. Tubing is defined so you know exactly what OD you are working with and the ID is based on whatever the wall thickness is.
Simply copy this code and paste it into your page to share with others. if you reference this article, please link back here, because you know, we did all the work of explaining it. :-)
<href="https://www.jtcmetals.com/" title="Stainless Steel Cut To Your Specs" img src="https://stainless.s3.amazonaws.com/tube-vs-pipe-the-difference.png" alt="Tube vs Pipe - The Differences Explained in Plain English" width="100%" style="border:none;" />In some instances the terms may be used interchangeably, however, there is one key difference between tube and pipe, particularly in how the material is ordered and toleranced. Tubing is used in structural applications so the outside diameter becomes the important dimension. Tubes are often put into applications such as medical devices that require precise outside diameters. The outside diameter is important since it will indicate how much it can hold as a stability factor. Whereas pipes are normally used to transport gasses or liquids making it important to know the capacity. Knowing how much can flow through the pipe is key. The circular shape of the pipe makes it efficient when handling pressure from the liquid flowing through.
The classification of pipes are schedule and nominal diameter. Pipe is typically ordered using the Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) standard and by specifying a nominal diameter (pipe size) and schedule number (wall thickness). The schedule number can be the same on different size pipe but the actual wall thickness will be different.
Tubes are typically ordered to outside diameter and wall thickness; however, it may also be ordered as OD & ID or ID and Wall Thickness. The strength of a tube depends on the wall thickness. The thickness of a tube is defined by a gauge number. Smaller gauge numbers indicate larger outside diameters. The inside diameter (ID) is theoretical. Tubes can come in different shapes such as square, rectangular and cylindrical, whereas piping is always round. The circular shape of the pipe makes the pressure force evenly distributed. Pipes accommodate larger applications with sizes that range from a ½ inch to several feet. Tubing is generally used in applications where smaller diameters are required.
Tubing is typically ordered to outside diameter and wall thickness; however, it may also be ordered as OD & ID or ID and Wall Thickness. Although tubing has three dimensions (O.D., I.D. and wall thickness) only two may be specified with tolerances and the third is theoretical. Tubing is usually ordered and held to tighter and more stringent tolerances and specifications than pipe. Pipe is typically ordered using the Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) standard and by specifying a nominal diameter (pipe size) and schedule number (wall thickness). Both tubes and pipes can be cut, bent, flared and fabricated – check out our top 10 tips for ordering tubing and piping.
There are a few key characteristics that separate tube from pipe:
Pipe is always round. Tubes can be square, rectangular, and round.
Tube is typically ordered outside diameter and wall thickness. Tubing is usually held to tighter and more stringent tolerances and specifications than pipe. Pipe is typically ordered using nominal pipe size (NPS) standard and by specifying the nominal diameter (pipe size) and schedule number (wall thickness)
Tubes can be telescoped. Telescoping tubes are perfect for applications different pieces of material to sleeve or expand inside one another.
Pipe is rigid and cannot be shaped without special equipment. With the exception of copper and brass, tubes can be shaped with some effort. Bending and coiling tubing can be done without excessive distortion, wrinkling or fracturing.
Tubes are used in applications such as medical devices that require a precise outside diameter. The outside diameter is important since it will indicate how much it can hold as a stability factor. Pipes are used for transporting gasses or liquids making it important to know the capacity. The circular shape of the pipe makes it efficient when handling pressure from the liquid flowing through.
Tubes are cold rolled and hot rolled. Pipe is only hot rolled. Both can be galvanized.
Pipes accommodate larger applications. Tubing is generally used where small diameters are required.
Tubes are stronger than pipe. Tubes perform better in applications that require durability and strength.
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