Globe Valve vs Gate Valve

Quick Answer

Use a gate valve for on/off isolation with minimal pressure drop. Use a globe valve when you need to throttle (regulate) flow. Gate valves have a straight-through bore; globe valves have an S-shaped path that creates higher resistance but allows precise flow control.

Detailed Comparison

The two valves serve fundamentally different purposes. A gate valve is a binary device: fully open or fully closed. A globe valve is an analog device: it can hold any position between open and closed to modulate flow.

Parameter	Gate Valve	Globe Valve
Primary function	On/off isolation	Flow regulation (throttling)
Pressure drop (fully open)	Very low (straight-through bore)	High (S-shaped flow path)
Throttling capability	Poor (causes wire-drawing and seat erosion)	Excellent (designed for partial opening)
Flow direction	Bi-directional	Unidirectional (flow arrow on body)
Sealing	Good (metal-to-metal wedge)	Very good (disc-to-seat contact)
Operating torque	Higher (stem lifts full gate height)	Lower (shorter disc travel)
Cast body standard	API 600	API 623, BS 1873
Forged body standard	API 602	API 602, BS 5352
Typical sizes	2” to 60”+	1/2” to 24”
Weight	Lighter for same size	Heavier (more metal in body)
Cost	Lower (simpler internals)	Higher (precision disc and seat)
Common services	Pipeline isolation, mainline block	Cooling water, steam bypass, chemical dosing

Why Not Throttle with a Gate Valve?

Operating a gate valve in a partially open position exposes the gate and seats to high-velocity flow. This causes wire-drawing: erosion of the seating surfaces by the fluid jet passing through the narrow gap. Within weeks or months, the eroded seats can no longer seal, and the valve fails to provide tight shut-off. The vibration from partial opening also accelerates mechanical wear on the stem and packing.

Globe valves avoid this problem because the disc and seat are designed for variable-position operation. The plug-shaped disc distributes flow evenly around its circumference, reducing localized erosion.

When to Use Each

Gate valve: mainline isolation in pipelines, header block valves, equipment isolation where the valve is either fully open or fully closed during normal operation.

Globe valve: flow control loops, bypass lines around control stations, manual throttling for cooling water or steam desuperheating, and any service requiring precise flow adjustment.

Pro Tip

On P&IDs, gate valves are drawn as two triangles meeting at a point; globe valves as a single circle on the stem. If the P&ID shows a control function or a bypass, verify that a globe valve (not a gate valve) is specified.

For services that need both tight shut-off and throttling, consider a ball valve with a characterized V-port trim, which combines the advantages of both designs.

Both gate and globe valves are rated per ASME B16.34 and dimensioned per ASME B16.10.

Read the full guide to valve types