One of the most frequent questions we get from customers is “What’s the difference between pipe and tube”? Although pipes and tubes may look similar, they are quite different. Remember that pipes and tubes are rarely interchangeable. A few of the differences can include:
- shape
- metal types
- size
- applications
- measurements
Shape
Pipes are always round however, tubes can be square, rectangular or round, as shown above.
Metal Types
Tube is available in hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel. Pipe is typically black steel (hot rolled). Both items can be galvanized.
Size
Pipe is typically available in larger sizes than tube.
Applications
Only pipes are pressure rated and intended to be used for the transfer of fluids or gas. Tubes, on the other hand, are used in structural applications.
Measurement
Pipes are only provided with an inside (nominal) diameter and a “schedule” (which means wall thickness). There’s an easy way to remember this: since pipe is used to transfer fluids or gas, the size of the opening through which the fluids or gas can pass through is probably more important to you than the outer dimensions of the pipe. Tube measurements, on the other hand, are provided as an outside diameter and set ranges of wall thickness.
EG: The actual outside diameter of 1¼″ pipe is 1.625″, while 1¼″ tube has a 1.25″ outside diameter.
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