Difference Between Pipe and Tube

1. Pipe Diameter and Tube Diameter

Pipe diameter refers to a nominal diameter- not actual. Pipe Schedule refers to the pipes wall thickness
(you can find the schedule chart and specification). The actual physical outside diameter is larger than its
nominal OD.
The diameter of tubing on the other hand refer to the actual outside diameter. In other words, the actual
physical OD of a tube is just the same as its nominal OD.
For example: The actual outside diameter of 1¼ pipe is 1.625 while 1¼ tube has a true
1.25 outside diameter.
Pipes accommodate larger applications with sizes that range from a half-inch to several feet. Tubes are
generally used in applications that require smaller diameters. While 10-inch pipes are common, its rare
that you will come across a 10-inch tube.
2. Wall Thickness Difference
The wall thickness of pipes and tubes is an important factor to tell difference. The thickness of tubing is
often specified by a gauge for thinner thicknesses and for thicker tubing it is indicated by fractions of an
inch or millimeters. The normal range for tubing is 20 gauge, which measures .035 inch, up to a thickness
of 2 inches. The wall thickness of a pipe is referred to as a pipe schedule, which you can find the relevant
between pipe schedule and thickness in millimeter or inch in specification ASME B36.10. The most
common schedules are SCH 20,SCH 40 and SCH 80. Schedule 40 is the most common and 80 is extra
heavy. Which is needed to be noted, the pipe schedule is not set for all diameters; it varies.
For example:
Diameter 8inch/219.1 pipe, pipe schedule is SCH 40 = wall thickness is 0.322inch/8.18mm,
Diameter 12 inch /323.9 pipes, sch 40 refers wall thickness of 0.406inch/10.31mm.
There is no formula between the pipe schedule and wall thickness, the only is to refer to the ASME
B36.10 or relevant standards.

3. Pipes Tolerance & Tube Tolerance

Pipes are usually used for transporting or distributing, then the properties of pressure or
straightness, roundness are strictly specified, the tolerance for pipes is more loose than tubes
comparatively. Here the tolerance refers to diameter tolerance, wall thickness tolerance,
straightness tolerance, roundness tolerance etc.
4. Manufacturing Difference of pipes and tubes
As we mentioned above, tubes will require higher level requirements, consequently, even from
the material producing to the pipe or tube manufacturing process will be different. Tubes will
require much more process, tests, inspection than pipes. The delivery time will be longer, too.
The yield of tubes are comparatively much lower than pipes. Pipe manufacturing is easier
compare to tubes and its in mass production
5. Cost & Price
As per to the above, to manufacture tubes will take much more labor, energy, material etc, so the
production cost is surely higher than pipes. And just because the high level requirement of tubes, the low
yield of tubes will also increase the cost and price. While the process of pipes is easier. And pipes are
manufactured in large lot and cut the cost.

6. Use of Pipes and Tubes

Pipes are used for fluids and gases, such as water, oil, gas or propane or as steam pipe, boiler pipe etc.
Just because of this, the outside & inside diameter is the key measurement it indicates how much can
flow through the pipe. Also thats the reason why the pressure rating is so important, because the pressure
must be under the transport or distribute pressure range. Tubes, however, are often put to use in
applications that require precise outside diameters, like with medical tubes, weapon part, industrial parts,
cooler tubes, heat exchanger tubes and boiler tubes. Tubes are usually used in medical area, construction,
structure or load bearing etc. This is why the outside diameter is important because it indicates how much
it can hold as a stability factor.

7. Material
Piping is usually made of carbon steel or low alloy steel. while tubing is often made of mild steel,
aluminum, brass, copper, chrome or stainless steel etc. Different material also lead to different cost and
price.

8. Mechanical Properties and Chemical Properties

For pipes the pressure rating, yield strength, ductibility properties are more important. However, for tubes,
the hardness, tensile strength, high precision is the key to high quality. Those elements like C, Mn, S, P, Si
are the main chemical elements for pipes, and there is few microelements requirements . While for tubing,
the microelements are very important to the quality and process.

9 Connection /Join Welding

Connecting pipes is more labor intensive as it requires welding, threading or flanges and relevant
equipments. Tubes can be joined quickly and easily with flaring, brazing or couplings, but for this reason,
they dont offer the same stability. Pipe welding is safer than tube join.

10. Ductibility
Pipe is available in rigid joints, which come in various lengths depending on the material. Tubing, in
particular copper, comes in rigid hard tempered joints or soft tempered (annealed) rolls. Some tubing
also comes in rigid joints or flexible rolls. The temper of the copper, that is whether it is a rigid joint
or flexible roll, does not affect the sizing.

11. Packing
Pipes to delivered are in bundle or just bulk delivery. Because we just need to protect the pipes surface
from serious damage and no need to protect from any light chafing. While tubes are usually wrapped with
wooden box or thin film for each tube, especially for medical area tube.

12. Surface Finish

For outdoor field transporting or underground transporting, pipes need to be painted or coating to
anti corrosion or oxidation. Tubes are sour cleaning or special polish treatment for particular
field use.
13. Quantity
For long transport or distributing, piping is often used in mass quantity and for long distance application.
So, the order of pipes are usually large. While tubes may be used in small quantity.

14. Pipe End and Tube End

Pipe ends are usually in plain or beveled so as to welding. while tubes are with coupling ends or specially
end finish, like irregular ends, special screw thread etc.

15. Application
Pipes accommodate larger applications with sizes that range from a half-inch to several feet. Tubes are
generally used in applications that require smaller diameters. While 10-inch pipes are common, its rare
that you will come across a 10-inch tube.
Pipe Vs Tube
What is the difference between Pipe and Tube?
In short: Tube is measured by outside diameter, pipe is measured by inside diameter.
There is often confusion as to which size die the customer actually needs - Pipe Size or Tubing Size.
Keep in mind that pipe size refers to a nominal - not actual - inside pipe diameter. Schedule refers to the
pipe's wall thickness. The actual physical OD is larger than it's nominal OD.
The dimensions provided for tubing on the other hand refer to the actual outside diameter. In other words,
the actual physical OD of a tube is just the same as it's nominal OD. The size of a tube will keep the same
OD no mater what the wall thickness is.
For example: The actual outside diameter of 1 pipe is 1.625 - while 1 tube has a true 1.25 outside
diameter.
Consequently, both the size of tube and pipe is measured by it's OD and the thickness.
Why the difference between Pipe and Tube?
Pipes are used to transport something, and tubes to construct something; hence, tubes are defined by the
outside diameter and wall thickness (for construction stability), and pipes are measured by inside diameter
to allow a calculation for transportation viz., speed, volumes etc. (OD = ID + 2 WT)
Key
ID Inside Diameter
OD Outside Diameter
WT Wall Thinkness