This pipe thickness calculator calculates required pipe thickness for a process pipe based on ASME B31.3 Code. Detail information about behind the back calculations is given at the end of this calculator.

This calculator calculates required thickness of a pipe under internal pressure based on criteria specified in section 302.1.1 and 302.2.2 of ASME B31.3 Pressure Piping Code.

Input Required

1. Pipe material of construction.
2. Pipe NPD.
3. Pipe construction type : Seamless, EFW, ERW etc.
4. Design temperature.
5. Design Pressure.
6. Corrosion allowance for material and operating conditions.
7. Mechanical allowance.
8. Mill tolerance.

Pipe Material of Construction

ASTM A53 Grade A ASTM A106 Grade A API 5L Grade A ASTM A53 Grade B ASTM A106 Grade B ASTM A333 Grade 6 API 5L Grade B ASTM A333 Grade 9 ASTM A312 TP 304 ASTM A312 TP 304L ASTM A312 TP 304H ASTM A312 TP 316 ASTM A312 TP 316L ASTM A312 TP 316H ASTM A312 TP 317 ASTM A312 TP 347 ASTM A312 TP 348 ASTM A312 TP 347H ASTM A312 TP 348H

Design Pressure

Kg/Sq.MM PSI MPa Bar

Design Temperature

Deg. C Deg. F

Nominal Pipe Diameter

1/2 3/4 1 1 1/2 2 2 1/2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 40

Corrosion Allowance

MM Inch

Depth of Threading, Grooving or Machining

MM Inch

Mill Tolerence Percentage

Pipe Construction Type

Seamless ERW FBW

Explanation of the Pipe Thickness Calculator

As we know, ASME B31.3 Provides formula and guidelines for calculation of pipe under pressure. Though the formula is quite simple, finding correct values of individual factors can be tricky sometimes. This process pipe thickness calculator uses following formula for calculation of wall thickness.

304.1.2 (a) equation 3a :

1. Seamless Pipes : Design Thickness t = (PD)/2(SE+PY)
2. Welded Pipes : Design Thickness t = (PD)/2(SEW+PY)

Where :

P : Internal Design Guage Pressure

D : Outside diameter of pipe

In this calculator, outside diameter is taken from American Pipe Standards for the selected nominal pipe diameter :

1. ASME B36.10 : Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe.
2. ASME B36.19 : Stainless Steel Pipes.

S : Allowable Stress value for material from Table A-1

These are allowable stress values for different materials at different temperatures. Provided in Table A-1 of ASME B31.3. I have included commonly used pipe materials in this calculator. If you want more ASTM materials to be included, please mention in comments section below.

E : Longitudinal Weld Joint Quality factor

1. Applicable as per ASME B31.3  Table A-1A or A-1B .
2. 1 For Seamless Pipes.
3. 0.60 for Furnace Butt Welded Pipes.
4. 0.85 for Electric Resistance Welded Pipes.

W : Weld Joint Strength Reduction Factor

1. Applicable as per Para 302.3.5(e) of ASME B31.3
2. It is applicable only for Welded pipes.
3. W is Take as 1 for Seamless Pipes.
4. Value of W is taken as 1.0 at temperatures of 510°C (950°F) and below, and 0.5 at 815°C (1500°F) for all  materials.
5. Value is linearly interpolated for intermediate temperatures.

Y : Coefficient from Table 304.1.1,

Valid for t < D/6 and for materials shown. The value of Y may be interpolated for intermediate temperatures.

Addition of Allowances

Calculated Design Wall Thickness should be added with Corrosion Allowance, Mechanical Allowance for Grooving, Threading etc and Manufacturing Tolerance to arrive at final value. Next higher standard thickness value from Pipe Standards such as ASME B36.10 and ASME B36.19  is used.

Required Thickness = Design Thickness + Allowances.

Wall Thickness Selection

Designer should select a thickness from schedules of nominal thickness contained in Table 1 specified in ASME B36.10 and B36.19, to suit the value computed to fulfill the conditions for which the pipe is desired.

Please provide your comments / suggestions in comments box below.