PVC Pipe Size Comparison Chart
Find Your Pipe Size With Everyday Objects
Find the object closest to the width of your pipe, then read across the row for its size and measurements. Need exact numbers? See the PVC Pipe Size Dimensions Chart.
| PVC size (nominal) | Actual outside diameter (OD) | OD as a tape measure fraction | OD in millimeters | Household object comparison | Object image | Shop Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 0.840" | 13/16" | 21.3 mm | U.S. nickel |  | Shop 1/2" Pipe |
| 3/4" | 1.050" | 1-1/16" | 26.7 mm | U.S. Sacagawea one dollar coin |  | Shop 3/4" Pipe |
| 1" | 1.315" | 1-5/16" | 33.4 mm | D-cell battery |  | Shop 1" Pipe |
| 1-1/4" | 1.660" | 1-5/8" | 42.2 mm | Golf ball |  | Shop 1-1/4" Pipe |
| 1-1/2" | 1.900" | 1-7/8" | 48.3 mm | Inside of a drink can pull ring |  | Shop 1-1/2" Pipe |
| 2" | 2.375" | 2-3/8" | 60.3 mm | Tennis ball |  | Shop 2" Pipe |
Dimensions follow ASTM D1785 and apply to Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 pipe. Household objects are a general reference only and are not exact.
Comparison FAQ
Hold the end of the pipe next to common objects. A pipe about the width of a U.S. nickel is 1/2 inch. A Sacagawea one dollar coin is about 3/4 inch, a D-cell battery is about 1 inch, a golf ball is about 1-1/4 inch, the inside of a drink can pull ring is about 1-1/2 inch, and a tennis ball is about 2 inch. For a precise answer, use a tape measure and the chart on this page.
It is a general reference only. The objects are close to the pipe size but not exact, and coins, batteries and balls vary slightly. Confirm your size with a tape measure and the chart on this page before you order.
The size name is a nominal size, which is a label and not a measurement. A 1/2 inch Schedule 40 pipe measures 0.840 inches across the outside and 0.622 inches across the inside. This is true for every PVC pipe size, so always measure the outside diameter and match it to the chart.
Wrap a flexible tape measure around the pipe to get the circumference, then divide by 3.14 to find the outside diameter. You can also hold a ruler across the end of the pipe. Match the result to the outside diameter column in the chart on this page.
Yes. Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC pipe of the same nominal size have the same outside diameter. Only the wall thickness and inside diameter change. See the PVC Pipe Size Dimensions Chart for wall thickness and inside diameter.
Keep Learning About PVC Pipe
Check the exact outside diameters, print a size guide, or read the full PVC 101 overview.
Reviewed October 6, 2026 by FORMUFIT LC. Dimensions per ASTM D1785.