PVC pipe sizes: actual outside diameter (free printable PDF)
Nominal pipe size is a name, not a measurement. 2" PVC measures 2.375" across, and Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 share the same outside diameter; only the wall thickness changes.
PVC pipe sizes: nominal vs actual outside diameter
| Nominal size | Actual OD | OD mm | Hole saw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 0.840" | 21.3 mm | 1"exact 7/8" |
| 3/4" | 1.050" | 26.7 mm | 1-3/16"exact 1-1/16" |
| 1" | 1.315" | 33.4 mm | 1-1/2"exact 1-3/8" |
| 1-1/4" | 1.660" | 42.2 mm | 1-13/16"exact 1-11/16" |
| 1-1/2" | 1.900" | 48.3 mm | 2-1/16"exact 1-15/16" |
| 2" | 2.375" | 60.3 mm | 2-1/2"exact 2-3/8" |
| 2-1/2" | 2.875" | 73 mm | 3"exact 2-7/8" |
| 3" | 3.500" | 88.9 mm | 3-5/8"exact 3-1/2" |
| 4" | 4.500" | 114.3 mm | 4-5/8"exact 4-1/2" |
The same outside diameter for Schedule 40 and Schedule 80, and for drain (DWV) pipe in the sizes it’s made in: PVC drain from 1-1/4" and ABS drain from 1-1/2". Only the wall thickness changes, so a thicker pipe is narrower inside, not wider outside. Hole saw = easy clearance, with the exact fit beneath.
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How to read it
The nominal size is the pipe’s name; the actual outside diameter is what a tape measure reads. It’s the same trap as lumber sizes, where a 2x4 is really 1-1/2" × 3-1/2". The last column is the hole saw that clears each size.
Common questions
What is the actual size of 2 inch PVC pipe?
2" PVC pipe is 2.375" (60.3 mm) across the outside. The inside depends on the wall: Schedule 80 is thicker, so it's narrower inside.
Is Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC the same outside diameter?
Yes. Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 of the same nominal size have the same outside diameter, so fittings and holes match; the extra wall of Schedule 80 goes inward.
Is PVC drain pipe the same size as PVC water pipe?
On the outside, yes, in the sizes drain pipe is made in: PVC drain (DWV) pipe from 1-1/4" and ABS drain pipe from 1-1/2" have the same outside diameter as Schedule 40 of the same size.
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Where these numbers come from
Outside diameters from the PVC and ABS makers’ published submittals (ASTM D1785 and D2665). Millimetres are converted from inches. Hole saws as on the hole saw chart.
- JM Eagle, Solvent Weld Schedule Series submittal (PVC Sch 40/80, ASTM D1785/D2665)
- Charlotte Pipe, PVC DWV submittal
- Charlotte Pipe, ABS submittal
General sizing guidance from published pipe, conduit and hole saw dimensions. Before boring framing, check the hole limits in your local building code; for electrical work, follow your local electrical code and the fitting maker's instructions.