Tubing Dimensions & Weights Charts (by OD & BWG/SWG WT Gauge)

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Tubing Dimensions & Weights Charts (by OD & BWG/SWG WT Gauge)

Process Instrumentation, Tube, Tube Sizes, Tubing

The article shows the dimensions and weights of tubes between ¼” and 4″ with BWG (Birmingham Wire Gauge) and SWG (Standard Wire Gauge, or Stubs Iron Wire Gauge) wall thickness specifications (Gauges 10-22). BWG and SWG are both gauge measurement systems used to specify the thickness of tubes, as well as wire, in specific industries. Although they originated in the wire industry, these gauges have been adapted to measure the wall thickness of tubing, particularly in contexts where precise control over flow and pressure is required.

TUBING SIZES CHARTS (BWG/SWG)

WHAT IS BWG & SWG?

BWG (Birmingham Wire Gauge) and SWG (Standard Wire Gauge) are both systems originally developed for measuring the diameter of wires, but they have been adopted in various industries to specify the wall thickness of tubes as well. While they serve similar purposes, there are distinct differences in their scales and where they are predominantly used, especially in the context of tube wall thickness measurement.

BIRMINGHAM WIRE GAUGE (“BWG”):

Usage: BWG is primarily used in the United States and is more common in industries that deal with tube and pipe manufacturing, especially for boilers, heat exchangers, and other metal tubes.
Characteristics: The BWG system has a specific set of thicknesses that are widely recognized in the tubing industry for specifying the wall thickness of tubes. The gauge numbers in BWG are assigned to predefined diameters, where a lower gauge number indicates a thicker wall.

STANDARD WIRE GAUGE (SWG):

Usage: SWG is more commonly used in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. It finds its application across various industries, including jewelry making, wire manufacturing, and tubing, particularly in the electrical field.
Characteristics: Like BWG, in the SWG system, a lower gauge number signifies a thicker material. However, the actual thicknesses defined by SWG numbers differ from those in the BWG system for the same gauge number.

KEY DIFFERENCES BWG VS. SWG

Scale Variation: The most significant difference between BWG and SWG is in their scale; for the same gauge number, the thickness of the material can differ between the two systems. This variation means that when specifying tube wall thickness, it is crucial to clarify which gauge system is being referenced.
Industry Preference: BWG is more frequently used in contexts involving the specification of tube and pipe wall thickness in industries such as petrochemical, heating, and cooling systems. SWG, on the other hand, sees more application in electrical wiring and in countries with historical ties to the British measurement system.

When dealing with tube wall thickness measurements, it’s essential to specify which gauge system is being used to avoid confusion and ensure that materials meet the required specifications. The choice between BWG and SWG may depend on regional preferences, industry standards, or specific project requirements. Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications or industry standards for accurate and applicable measurements.

TUBING & INSTRUMENTATION

Tubing is extensively used in instrumentation across various industries, including oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation, and pharmaceuticals. Instrumentation tubing is crucial for connecting instruments, valves, and other devices in systems designed to measure, monitor, and control process variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, and level.

KEY FEATURES OF INSTRUMENTATION TUBING

Precision and Reliability: Instrumentation tubing must meet high standards of precision and reliability to ensure accurate signal transmission and fluid transport. It often has tighter tolerances for dimensions and smoother interior surfaces to minimize turbulence and resistance.
Material Selection: Stainless steel is the most common material due to its corrosion resistance, strength, and compatibility with a wide range of fluids. Other materials, such as copper, alloy steel, and plastic, are selected based on specific application requirements like chemical compatibility, temperature ranges, and environmental conditions.
Size and Configuration: Tubing for instrumentation is typically of small diameter, ranging from 1/4 inch to 1 inch. It is used to connect to fittings that secure and seal the connections between components. The choice of size, wall thickness, and material directly impacts the system’s performance, especially in critical applications where leakage or contamination could have severe consequences.
Pressure and Temperature Ratings: The tubing must withstand the operating pressures and temperatures of the system without compromising its integrity or the accuracy of the measurements. Therefore, pressure ratings, temperature limits, and thermal expansion characteristics are key considerations in tubing selection.
Safety and Compliance: In many cases, instrumentation tubing and fittings must comply with industry standards and safety regulations, which may specify requirements for design, testing, and material composition to ensure system safety and reliability.

In the realm of instrumentation, tubing plays a vital role in creating efficient, accurate, and safe systems for monitoring and controlling industrial processes. Its selection and installation are critical to system performance, requiring careful consideration of application-specific requirements and adherence to industry standards.

TUBING DIMENSION & WEIGHT CHARTS

BY “BWG” WALL THICKNESS (BIRMINGHAM WIRE GAUGE)

“BWG” Tubing Size Chart: steel tubing sizes by OD (inches/mm) and WT (BWG Gauges 22 to 10), with weight by OD/WT combination in Lbs/ft and Kg/m (according to ASTM A450 Specification)

Tube OD		G. 22		G. 20		G. 18		G. 16		G.14		G. 12		G. 11		G. 10
Tube OD		inch .028	mm 0.711	inch .035	mm 0.889	inch 0.49	mm 1.244	inch 0.65	mm 1.65	inch 0.83	mm 2.108	inch 0.109	mm 2.768	inch 0.12	mm 3.047	inch 0.134	mm 3.403
inch	mm	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m
1/4″	6.350	–	–	0.820	0.122	0.107	0.159	0.130	0.194	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
5/16″	7.950	–	–	0.106	0.157	0.14	0.209	0.175	0.260	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
3/8″	9.525	–	–	0.129	0.192	0.173	0.258	0.219	0.326	0.263	0.392	–	–	–	–	–	–
1/2″	12.700	0.143	0.213	0.177	0.263	0.240	0.357	0.307	0.457	0.376	0.559	0.362	0.668	0.495	0.737	–	–
5/8″	15.875	0.181	0.270	0.224	0.334	0.306	0.456	0.395	0.558	0.489	0.727	0.61	0.908	0.658	0.979	–	–
3/4′	19.050	–	–	0.271	0.404	0.373	0.555	0.483	0.719	0.601	0.894	0.759	1.13	0.82	1.22	0.894	1.33
7/8″	22.225	0.257	0.383	0.319	0.475	0.439	0.654	0.572	0.851	0.712	1.06	0.907	1.35	0.981	1.46	1.08	1.6
1″	25.400	0.296	0.44	0.367	0.546	0.505	0.752	0.66	0.982	0.826	1.23	1.06	1.57	1.15	1.71	1.26	1.87
1-1/4″	31.750	0.372	0.553	0.462	0.687	0.638	0.95	0.833	1.24	1.06	1.57	1.35	2.01	1.47	2.19	1.63	2.42
1-1/2″	38.100	0.448	0.666	0.556	0.828	0.773	1.15	1.01	1.51	1.28	1.9	1.65	2.45	1.8	2.68	1.99	2.96
1-3/4″	44.450	0.523	0.779	0.652	0.97	0.907	1.35	1.19	1.77	1.51	2.24	1.94	2.89	2.12	3.16	2.35	3.5
2″	50.800	0.599	0.892	0.746	1.110	1.040	1.54	1.36	2.03	1.73	2.57	2.24	3.33	2.45	3.65	2.71	4.04
2-1/2″	63.500	–	–	–	–	1.3	1.94	1.72	2.56	2.18	3.24	2.83	4.21	3.1	4.61	3.44	5.12
3″	76.200	–	–	–	–	1.57	2.34	2.7	3.08	2.63	3.91	3.42	5.09	3.75	5.58	4.17	6.2
3-1/2″	88.900	–	–	–	–	1.83	2.73	2.43	3.61	3.08	4.58	4.01	5.97	4.4	6.55	4.9	7.29
4″	101.600	–	–	–	–	2.1	3.13	2.78	4.13	3.53	5.25	4.6	6.85	5.05	7.52	5.62	8.37

BY “SWG” WALL THICKNESS (STANDARD WIRE GAUGE)

“SWG” Tubing Size Chart: steel tubing sizes by OD (inches/mm) and WT (BWG Gauges 22 to 10), with weight by OD/WT combination in Lbs/ft and Kg/m (according to ASTM A450 Specification)

Tube OD		G. 22		G. 20		G. 18		G. 16		G. 14		G. 12		G. 11		G. 10
Tube OD		inch .028	mm 0.711	inch .036	mm 0.914	inch 0.48	mm 1.218	inch 0.64	mm 1.625	inch 0.80	mm 2.032	inch 0.104	mm 2.641	inch 0.116	mm 2.946	inch 0.128	mm 3.251
inch	mm	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m	lb/ft	kg/m
1/4″	6.350	–	–	0.830	0.124	0.105	0.157	0.129	0.192	–	–	–		–	–	–	–
5/16″	7.950	–	–	0.108	0.161	0.138	0.205	0.173	0.257	–	–	–		–	–	–	–
3/8″	9.525	–	–	0.132	0.197	0.170	0.253	0.216	0.321	0.256	0.381	–		–	–	–	–
1/2″	12.700	0.143	0.213	0.181	0.27	0.235	0.35	0.303	0.451	0.365	0.543	0.447	0.665	0.484	0.720	–	–
5/8″	15.875	0.181	0.270	0.230	0.342	0.300	0.447	0.390	0.580	0.473	0.704	0.588	0.875	0.641	0.954	–	–
3/4′	19.050	–	–	0.279	0.415	0.366	0.544	0.476	0.709	0.582	0.866	0.732	1.09	0.800	1.19	0.867	1.29
7/8″	22.225	0.257	0.383	0.328	0.488	0.431	0.641	0.563	0.838	0.692	1.03	0.874	1.3	0.954	1.42	1.04	1.55
1″	25.400	0.296	0.44	0.376	0.56	0.496	0.738	0.65	0.967	0.8	1.19	1.02	1.51	1.12	1.66	1.21	1.8
1-1/4″	31.750	0.372	0.553	0.474	0.706	0.626	0.931	0.827	1.23	1.02	1.51	1.3	1.93	1.43	2.13	1.56	2.32
1-1/2″	38.100	0.448	0.666	0.572	0.851	0.759	1.13	0.994	1.48	1.24	1.84	1.58	2.35	1.74	2.59	1.91	2.84
1-3/4″	44.450	0.523	0.779	0.669	0.996	0.887	1.32	0.650	1.74	1.45	2.16	1.86	2.77	2.06	3.06	2.25	3.35
2″	50.800	0.599	0.892	0.766	1.14	1.02	1.51	1.340	2.000	1.67	2.48	2.14	3.19	2.37	3.53	2.6	3.97
2-1/2″	63.500	–	–	–	–	1.28	1.9	1.69	2.52	2.1	3.13	2.71	4.03	3.000	4.47	3.3	4.91
3″	76.200	–	–	–	–	1.54	2.29	2.000	3.03	2.53	3.77	3.27	4.87	3.63	5.4	3.99	5.94
3-1/2″	88.900	–	–	–	–	1.79	2.67	2.390	3.55	2.97	4.42	3.83	5.7	4.26	6.34	4.68	6.97
4″	101.600	–	–	–	–	2.06	3.06	2.740	4.07	3.41	5.07	4.4	6.54	4.89	7.28	5.38	8.01

BWG/SWG CONVERSION CHARTS (GAUGE TO MM/INCH)

Tube SWG gauge conversion into inches and millimeters

SWG	SWG Gauge in inches	SWG Gauge in mm
0 Tube SWG	0.324	8.23
1 Tube SWG	0.3	7.62
2 Tube SWG	0.276	7.01
3 Tube SWG	0.252	6.4
4 Tube SWG	0.232	5.89
5 Tube SWG	0.212	5.38
6 Tube SWG	0.192	4.88
7 Tube SWG	0.176	4.47
8 Tube SWG	0.16	4.06
9 Tube SWG	0.144	3.66
10 Tube SWG	128	3.25
11 Tube SWG	0.116	2.95
12 Tube SWG	0.104	2.64
13 Tube SWG	0.092	2.34
14 Tube SWG	0.08	2.03
15 Tube SWG	0.072	1.83
16 Tube SWG	0.064	1.63
17 Tube SWG	0.056	1.42
18 Tube SWG	0.048	1.22
19 Tube SWG	0.04	1.02
20 Tube SWG	0.036	0.91
21 Tube SWG	0.032	0.81
22 Tube SWG	0.028	0.71
23 Tube SWG	0.024	0.61
24 Tube SWG	0.022	0.56
25 Tube SWG	0.02	0.51
26 Tube SWG	0.018	0.46
27 Tube SWG	0.0164	0.42
28 Tube SWG	0.0148	0.38
29 Tube SWG	0.0136	0.35
30 Tube SWG	0.0124	0.31
31 Tube SWG	0.0116	0.29
32 Tube SWG	0.0108	0.27
33 Tube SWG	0.01	0.25
34 Tube SWG	0.0092	0.23
35 Tube SWG	0.0084	0.21
36 Tube SWG	0.0076	0.19

BWG	BWG Gauge to inches	BWG Gauge in mm
0 Tube BWG	0.34	8.64
1 Tube BWG	0.3	7.62
2 Tube BWG	0.284	7.21
3 Tube BWG	0.259	6.58
4 Tube BWG	0.238	6.05
5 Tube BWG	0.22	5.59
6 Tube BWG	0.203	5.16
7 Tube BWG	0.18	4.57
8 Tube BWG	0.165	4.19
9 Tube BWG	0.148	3.76
10 Tube BWG	0.134	3.4
11 Tube BWG	0.12	3.05
12 Tube BWG	0.109	2.77
13 Tube BWG	0.95	2.41
14 Tube BWG	0.083	2.11
15 Tube BWG	0.072	1.83
16 Tube BWG	0.065	1.65
17 Tube BWG	0.058	1.47
18 Tube BWG	0.049	1.24
19 Tube BWG	0.042	1.07
20 Tube BWG	0.035	0.89
21 Tube BWG	0.032	0.81
22 Tube BWG	0.028	0.71
23 Tube BWG	0.025	0.64
24 Tube BWG	0.022	0.56
25 Tube BWG	0.02	0.51
26 Tube BWG	0.018	0.46
27 Tube BWG	0.016	0.41
28 Tube BWG	0.014	0.36
29 Tube BWG	0.013	0.33
30 Tube BWG	0.012	0.3
31 Tube BWG	0.01	0.25
32 Tube BWG	0.009	0.23
33 Tube BWG	0.008	0.2
34 Tube BWG	0.007	0.18
35 Tube BWG	0.005	0.13
36 Tube BWG	0.004	0.1

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Projectmaterials Team

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9 Responses

Stacy says:

March 20, 2023 at 6:28 pm

Dear Sirs.
My name is Stacy, I’m a purchasing Manager of an Innotex system company.
We are a Kazakhstan company, we are engaged in the production and installation of charging stations for electric cars. We opened a representative office in Europe in the field of renewable energy . We are interested in purchasing a metal profile for installation of solar panels. We would buy samples for the test. We are ready to regard the quotation for more quantity
40*40 – 12 meters, wall thickness 2mm – 1 pc.
50*50 – 12 meters, wall thickness 2 mm. – 1 pc.
If that is possible we would like you to deliver that city of Espoo.

Reply
Afnan says:

September 16, 2021 at 6:20 pm

Aren’t swg specific to material… What could be 20 bwg crca in swg?

Reply
Nelson B says:

April 16, 2021 at 9:37 pm

I’m looking to buy the following tubings:

ASTM A-179
BWG 12
Diameter: 1″
Length: 20′
Quantity: 2876

Reply
carol says:

January 25, 2021 at 6:48 pm

Clarified my doubts and provided me the knowledge required to confidently source the material required. top job. Thank You one and all

Reply
paulchris says:

August 16, 2020 at 8:37 pm

I want to say you thank you for your Post I really like to read your post in future please keep it up..
Thank you It’s really very nice post

Reply
SteveR says:

September 7, 2019 at 5:09 pm

Dear Sirs/Madams, I believe the wall thickness values, in inches, are a factor of 10x too high for the tubes of gauge 18, 16, 14, and 12. No criticism here; I’ve made many mistakes in my life! Just trying to help.

Reply
Eric R pagan says:

June 7, 2019 at 2:25 pm

please any you this side and price ..
thanks .21 Tube SWG 0.032 0.81

Reply
Chas says:

November 6, 2018 at 5:34 am

I pay a quick visit everyday a few web pages and information sites
to read articles or reviews, however this weblog gives feature based content.

Reply
Chas says:

January 23, 2019 at 1:47 pm

I pay a quick visit everyday a few web pages and information sites
to read articles or reviews, however this weblog gives feature based content.

Reply

Tubing Dimensions & Weights Charts (by OD & BWG/SWG WT Gauge)

Tubing Dimensions & Weights Charts (by OD & BWG/SWG WT Gauge)

TUBING SIZES CHARTS (BWG/SWG)

WHAT IS BWG & SWG?

BIRMINGHAM WIRE GAUGE (“BWG”):

STANDARD WIRE GAUGE (SWG):

KEY DIFFERENCES BWG VS. SWG

TUBING & INSTRUMENTATION

KEY FEATURES OF INSTRUMENTATION TUBING

TUBING DIMENSION & WEIGHT CHARTS

BY “BWG” WALL THICKNESS (BIRMINGHAM WIRE GAUGE)

BY “SWG” WALL THICKNESS (STANDARD WIRE GAUGE)

BWG/SWG CONVERSION CHARTS (GAUGE TO MM/INCH)

Projectmaterials Team

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