How to Calculate the Wall Thickness of a Pipe

By Joshua Benjamin

Pipes are divided into different categories based on both length and the thickness of their walls. A pipe's wall thickness is especially important to know during construction projects, as a pipe with too thin a wall may burst under pressure. The formula used for calculating the thickness of a pipe's wall is fairly simple, as is the method for figuring out the pipe's wall measurements.

Pipe walls vary quite a bit in terms of thickness.

Step 1

Place your ruler or measuring tape over the mouth of the pipe.

Step 2

Measure the diameter of the pipe from the top of the outer wall to the bottom of the outer wall. Note this down on a piece of paper.

Step 3

Measure the diameter from the top inner wall to the bottom inner wall. Note this number down on a piece of paper as well.

Step 4

Plug the two numbers into the following formula:

(Diameter of Outer Wall - Diameter of Inner Wall)/2. The resulting number is the thickness of the pipe wall.

Joshua Benjamin

Joshua Benjamin began as a professional freelance writer in 2009. He has successfully published numerous articles spanning a broad range of topics. Benjamin's areas of expertise include auto repair, computer hardware and software, firearms operation and maintenance, and home repair and maintenance. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration from California State University, Fresno.