What size hole saw for 22 mm pipe?
22 mm copper is 22 mm across, so a 22 mm hole saw is too tight. The smallest standard saw that clears it is 24 mm; 27 mm gives easy clearance.
Here's the saw for taking 22 mm pipe through a wall, floor, joist or unit back.
Pipe size
Change the pipe to compare. 28 mm copper and 50 mm waste are in the chart below.
Hole saw for 22 mm copper pipe, by fit
About 1.5 mm around the pipe, for movement and an imperfect cut. The pipe is 21.9–22.1 mm across.
The smallest standard saw that clears the pipe at the top of its tolerance (22.1 mm).
Get the gear
As an Amazon Associate, WhatDrillBit earns from qualifying purchases.
The size on the pipe
UK copper tube (EN 1057) is named by its real outside diameter. The standard allows up to 0.10 mm over 22 mm, so a 22 mm saw is too tight to rely on.
Which one to use
Easy clearance leaves about 1.5 mm around the pipe, for movement and a slightly off-line cut. The snug fit is the smallest standard saw that clears the pipe at the top of its tolerance. In joists, the limits depend on your building regulations, so check before you bore.
Common questions
What size hole saw for 22 mm copper pipe?
27 mm for easy clearance, or 24 mm for a snug fit. The pipe is 21.9–22.1 mm across, so a 22 mm saw is too tight.
Can I use a 22 mm hole saw for 22 mm copper pipe?
It's too tight to rely on: the pipe is 22 mm nominal and can be up to 22.1 mm across, so a 22 mm hole leaves no room at all. Use 24 mm for snug or 27 mm for easy.
UK pipe hole saw chart
Hole saw sizes for UK pipe
| Pipe | Actual OD | Easy clearance | Snug fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 mm copperCopper (EN 1057) | 14.91–15.09 mm | 19 mm0.75" | 16 mm0.63" |
| 22 mm copperCopper (EN 1057) | 21.9–22.1 mm | 27 mm1.06" | 24 mm0.94" |
| 28 mm copperCopper (EN 1057) | 27.9–28.1 mm | 32 mm1.26" | 29 mm1.14" |
| 32 mm wasteSolvent weld (ABS/MUPVC) | 36–36.5 mm | 40 mm1.57" | 37 mm1.46" |
| 40 mm wasteSolvent weld (ABS/MUPVC) | 42.7–43.1 mm | 48 mm1.89" | 44 mm1.73" |
| 50 mm wasteSolvent weld (ABS/MUPVC) | 55.7–56.1 mm | 60 mm2.36" | 57 mm2.24" |
| 32 mm wastePush-fit (polypropylene) | 34.4–34.8 mm | 38 mm1.50" | 35 mm1.38" |
| 40 mm wastePush-fit (polypropylene) | 40.8–41.2 mm | 46 mm1.81" | 43 mm1.69" |
| 50 mm wastePush-fit (polypropylene) | 53.9–54.3 mm | 59 mm2.32" | 56 mm2.20" |
| 110 mm soilSoil pipe (PVC-U) | 110–110.3 mm | 114 mm4.49" | 111 mm4.37" |
Actual OD = the widest range across the makers’ and standards’ tables. Snug fit = smallest standard metric saw that clears the top of that range; easy clearance = smallest at least 3 mm over it (about 1.5 mm around). Solvent weld and push-fit waste of the same nominal size are different sizes: check the print on the pipe.
whatdrillbit.com
Where these numbers come from
Outside diameters are copied from the makers’ and standards’ tables; where they differ, the range covers all of them, and the snug fit clears the top of it. Saw sizes are the metric sizes in both Starrett’s and Bosch’s bi-metal ranges. Inch equivalents are converted from millimetres.
- Wednesbury, Black Label EN 1057 copper tube data sheet
- FloPlast, 32/40/50 mm ABS solvent weld waste tech sheet
- Polypipe, Technical Installation Guide (above and below ground drainage)
- Wavin, OsmaSoil & OsmaWaste product information manual
- Starrett, Saws & Hand Tools catalogue (bi-metal sizes)
- Bosch Professional, Accessories Catalogue 2026 (GB), hole saws
General sizing guidance from published pipe, conduit and hole saw dimensions. Before boring framing, check the hole limits in the Building Regulations; for electrical work, follow the wiring regulations and the fitting maker's instructions.