Schedule 40 Pipe Volume per Foot

Values calculated from ASME B36.10-2022 Schedule 40 inside diameters using 1 US gallon = 231 in³. For the actual bore dimensions behind these values, see the Pipe Inside Diameter Chart.

For this chart, capacity refers to the internal geometric volume of the pipe bore. This is distinct from maximum hydraulic flow capacity (covered in the Pipe Flow Rate Chart), pressure capacity (covered in the Pipe Pressure Rating Chart), and storage-tank usable capacity, which involves separate tank-specific geometry and fill considerations.

Because V is proportional to ID², even a modest change in ID can noticeably alter pipe capacity. This is why schedule matters so much for volume calculations; see the Pipe Inside Diameter Chart for the full actual-bore reference by schedule.

Charlotte Pipe’s Schedule 80 products retain the same outside diameter as Schedule 40 at each nominal size but use a thicker wall (for example, 0.147 in versus 0.109 in at 1/2-inch nominal), confirming the smaller-bore relationship shown here.

Same OD, thicker wall, smaller ID, lower volume: this is the direct chain of cause and effect from schedule to internal capacity.

For many sizes, Schedule 10 has a larger bore than Schedule 40, so it holds more fluid per foot. Not every schedule exists for every NPS or material; verify availability with the Pipe Schedule Chart before assuming a product exists.

ASME B36.10-2022 provides standardized dimensions for welded and seamless wrought steel pipe. The correct workflow is to obtain NPS, obtain OD, obtain the schedule wall thickness, calculate ID = OD – 2t, and then calculate internal volume from that derived ID. ASME B36.10 is a dimensional standard; internal volume is calculated from those nominal dimensions rather than treated as a separate pressure or capacity rating within the standard itself.

ASME B36.19-2022 covers welded and seamless wrought stainless pipe dimensions using the same basic NPS framework as B36.10.

Do not confuse this physical cubic-foot volume with standard cubic feet of compressed gas, which is a separate gas-specific measurement convention.

Conversions: 1 US gallon ≈ 3.7854 L, and 1 m³ = 1,000 L.

The straight-pipe chart does not include the internal volume of elbows, tees, valves, strainers, heat exchangers, pumps, tanks, or boilers. For precise system-volume calculations: V(system) = V(pipe) + V(fittings/equipment). Use manufacturer data for significant components rather than estimating their internal volume from pipe formulas.

For pipe self-weight and operating weight tables, see the Pipe Weight Chart and Steel Pipe Weight Chart.

Two pipes with identical ID and length contain the same volume, but if one contains water and another contains a denser fluid, the contained weight differs even though the volume is identical.

These IDs match published Schedule 40 PVC product dimensions from IPS-based pressure pipe manufacturers and can be used directly with the gallons-per-foot formula. For complete PVC-specific dimensional data, see the PVC Pipe Size Chart.

Manufacturer product data confirm the same pattern seen in steel: 1/2-inch nominal Schedule 40 PVC uses an OD of 0.840 in with a 0.109-in wall, while 1/2-inch Schedule 80 PVC keeps the same 0.840-in OD but increases the wall to 0.147 in. Therefore Schedule 80 PVC has less internal capacity per foot than Schedule 40 PVC of the same nominal size. The full PVC-specific dataset is maintained on the dedicated PVC Pipe Size Chart.

These are DWV copper tube values published directly by the Copper Development Association, not derived from steel schedule tables. For complete copper dimensional data by type, see the Copper Pipe Size Chart.

For the same nominal copper tube size, Type K has the thickest common wall and therefore the smallest ID and lowest volume per foot. Type L is intermediate, and Type M, with a thinner wall, has a larger ID and greater volume per foot. Use Copper Development Association dimension and volume tables rather than steel schedule data, since the Copper Tube Handbook treats copper tube dimensions and volume separately from steel NPS conventions.