3-8 NPTR NPTR (taper, railing) External Thread Specifications

3-8 NPTR · 3.000-8 NPTR

ASMESTD: ASME B1.20.1SOURCE: Table 5 · p. 15TYPE: External (bolt/screw)CLASS: —SERIES: NPTR (taper, railing)TAPER 1:16
Major diameter
3.48850 – 3.47344
max – min, at the gage plane
Pitch diameter
3.38850 – 3.38069
max – min, at the gage plane
Minor diameter
3.29575 – 3.28069
max – min, at the gage plane
Pitch
0.12500
8 threads per inch

Thread profile

gage plane: hand-tight, L1 from small endthread axisD1 = 3.4885–3.4734major dia (crest)E1 = 3.38850–3.38069pitch dia, basic 3.38850K1 = 3.2957–3.2807minor dia (root)P = 0.1250060°⟂ axis30°crest flat = 0.0047–0.0090crest truncation 0.0041–0.0077root flat = 0.0047–0.0090root truncation 0.0041–0.0077H0.108253h0.100000 max0.092750 mintaper 1:16 on dia (1:32 on radius) · β = 1° 47′ 24″, included 2β = 3° 34′ 47″ · bisector ⟂ axisexternal thread (male)

External profile over three pitches at the gage plane, drawn at maximum material (sharpest crest, flattest root); hatched bands are the truncation zones. Diameters shortened.

Thread length, taper and gage planes

plane 0 · E03.34063plane 1 · E13.38850plane 2 · E23.41563pipe OD D 3.5000MALE · 3-8 NPTRtrue scale (lengths and diameters); axis below, not drawnL1 0.7660 (6.13 thd)full thread 1.2000 (9.60 thd)V 0.4338L6 0.500 (4.00 thd) · E6 3.37190L2 − L6 0.700

Lengths, taper and gage planes to scale; diameters shortened. D and K at the planes are calculated with the mean truncations.

Limits of size, class —

DimensionBasicMaxMinTolerance
Major diameter D1Crest of the external thread at the gage plane3.488503.473440.01506
Pitch diameter E1Gage plane E1: L1 from the small end (external) or at the large end of the fitting (internal); gaging tolerance converted to diameter3.388503.388503.380690.00781
Minor diameter K1Root of the external thread at the gage plane3.295753.280690.01506
Allowance esNone: taper threads are made up to interference (NPT/NPTR); NPSC uses sealant—
Crest truncation fcTable 1 (both threads)0.0077500.004125
Root truncation frTable 1 (both threads)0.0077500.004125
Crest flat FcEquivalent width of flat0.0090000.004750
Root flat FrEquivalent width of flat0.0090000.004750

Dimensions in inches. Values are those of the standard (ASME B1.20.1); calculated cells follow the standard’s formulas. Where the standard prints a value that differs from its formula, the printed value is shown with a note.

Taper, lengths and gaging

Taper, gage and sealing paras. 3, 5; Tables 1, 3

Taper on the diameter T
1 in 16 (0.75 in./ft)
Half apex angle of the pitch cone β
1.789911 °
Taper tolerance on the diameter, max / min
0.1250 / -0.0625 in/ft
Lead tolerance in the effective length ±
0.003 in
60° angle tolerance ±
1.5 °
Lead angle at the basic PD λ
0° 40′
Gaging method
NPT L1 thread gages (para. 5.2)
Gaging tolerance
1 turn small, 0 turns large from the modified basic (Table C-1)
Gaging position
End of the external thread 4 threads inside the face of the L1 ring (Table 5 col. 7)
Sealing
Mechanical joint, not a seal (section 5)

Basic pitch diameters and lengths Table 3

Pitch dia at the small end of the external thread E0
3.34063 in
Hand-tight engagement L1
0.7660 · 6.13 in, threads
Pitch dia at the hand-tight plane E1
3.38850 in
Effective external thread L2
1.2000 · 9.60 in, threads
Pitch dia at L2 E2
3.41563 in
Wrench make-up length L3
0.2500 · 2 in, threads
Pitch dia at the wrench make-up plane E3
3.32500 in
Complete external threads L5
0.9500 in
Pitch dia at L5 E5
3.40000 in
Vanish thread V
0.4338 · 3.47 in, threads
Overall external thread length L4
1.6337 in
Basic minor dia at the small end K0
3.2406 in
Change of diameter per turn
0.00781 in
Hand-tight engagement range, ± 1 turn
0.5160 – 1.0160 in
Wrench make-up interference on the PD
0.01563 in
Hand-tight plus wrench make-up length L1+L3
1.0160 in

NPTR (railing): shortened thread and recess Tables 4, 5

Shortening of the thread L6
0.500 · 4 in, threads
Pitch dia at the end of the external thread E6
3.3719 in
Effective thread of the NPTR external L2−L6
0.700 in
Maximum total external thread L4−L6
1.075 in
Maximum incomplete threads due to chamfer V
0.375 in
Minimum depth of the recess in the fitting q
0.38 in
Minimum diameter of the recess Q
3.53 in
Minimum length T
0.63 in
Gage notch below the face of the fitting S
0.625 in

L1 plug and ring gages Tables 8 and 9

Plug gage major dia at the E0 plane
3.42388 in
Plug gage major dia at the gaging notch (E1)
3.47175 in
Plug gage major dia at the large end (E2)
3.49888 in
Gage pitch dia at the E0 plane
3.34063 in
Gage pitch dia at the gaging notch (E1)
3.38850 in
Gage pitch dia at the large end (E2)
3.41563 in
Ring gage minor dia at the E0 plane
3.25737 in
Ring gage minor dia at the gaging notch (E1)
3.30525 in
Thickness of the L1 ring or gage elements
0.7660 in
Working gage crest truncation
0.012500 in
Maximum standoff between plug and ring gages
0.059 in

Working gage tolerances Table 7

On the pitch diameter ±
0.0005 in
Lead, plugs / rings
0.0004 / 0.0005 in
Half angle ±, plugs / rings
7 / 10 min
Taper, plugs / rings
0.0010 / 0.0014 in
Major dia of plugs
0.0016 in
Minor dia of rings
0.0016 in
Total cumulative tolerance on the PD, plugs / rings
0.00158 / 0.00211 in

Notes

  • NPTR uses the NPT basic dimensions (Table 2) and NPT L1 gages; Table 5 gives the shortening L6, the recess and the gage-notch distance S. Table 5 values were not recalculated in 2013 (Foreword (d)). Para. 5.2 example (1/2-14): the start end of the modified basic thread lies 3 threads inside the face of the ring gage; gaging tolerance 2 turns large to 3 turns large. Max variation: no turns large and one turn small from the modified basic. Chamfer: external threads with chamfer smaller than the minor dia are gaged from the last scratch of the chamfer cone (para. 3.2.4.1, Fig. 5); otherwise from the end of the pipe (para. 3.2.4.3).

Mates

3-8 NPTR screws into a thread of the same standard at the same size and pitch. The standard mating internal thread is class Std. Check the fit with the standard pair →

Working out the mating options…

Different pitch or a different thread family never mate; the fit check runs over both tolerance zones.

Related thread sizes

Same diameter other pitch, and neighbouring sizes

All values for 3-8 NPTRevery column of the workbook row
All values of the workbook row 3-8 NPTR
Designation3-8 NPTR
Decimal designation3.000-8 NPTR
Threads per inch8
Thread formTaper
SeriesNPTR
Series nameRailing Joint Taper Pipe Threads
External / internalExternal
Class—
Nominal pipe size3
Pitch P (in.)0.12500000
O.D. of pipe D, basic major dia (in.)3.500
Size category (Table 3 group)2-1/2 and larger (8 TPI)
Source tableTable 5
Printed page15
Where the diameter limits applyGage plane E1: L1 from the small end (external) or at the large end of the fitting (internal); gaging tolerance converted to diameter
Major dia max (in.)3.48850
Major dia min (in.)3.47344
Major dia tolerance (in.)0.01506
Major dia statusCalculated at the gage plane: PD limits with Table 1 truncation limits (para. 2.4)
Basic pitch dia at gage plane E1 (in.)3.38850
Pitch dia max (in.)3.38850
Pitch dia min (in.)3.38069
PD tolerance (in.)0.00781
Minor dia max (in.)3.29575
Minor dia min (in.)3.28069
Minor dia tolerance (in.)0.01506
Minor dia statusCalculated at the gage plane: PD limits with Table 1 truncation limits (para. 2.4)
Allowance sourceNone: taper threads are made up to interference (NPT/NPTR); NPSC uses sealant
Root radius max (in.)not given in the standard
Root radius min (in.)not given in the standard
Lead tolerance ± in effective length (in.)0.003
60° angle tolerance ± (deg)1.5
Taper tolerance max (in./ft)0.1250
Taper tolerance min (in./ft)-0.0625
Lead / angle / taper sourceTable 3, p. 10 (Table 3 is for NPT; NPTR has the NPT form, para. 5.1.2); lead ±0.003 in./in. when the effective thread is longer than 1 in. (Note 1)
Lead angle at basic PD (deg)0.672753
Lead angle (deg min)0° 40′
Tensile stress area As (sq in.)not given in the standard
Thread angle (deg)60
Flank angle (deg)30
Sharp V height H (in.)0.1082532
Thread height h max (in.)0.1000
Thread height h min (in.)0.09275
Crest truncation min (in.)0.004125
Crest truncation max (in.)0.007750
Root truncation min (in.)0.004125
Root truncation max (in.)0.007750
Crest flat min (in.)0.004750
Crest flat max (in.)0.009000
Root flat min (in.)0.004750
Root flat max (in.)0.009000
Sweep cut: start diameter (in.)3.47190
Sweep cut: tip diameter (in.)3.27190
Sweep cut: depth (in.)0.100000
Sweep cut: profile width at start diameter (in.)0.120250
Sweep cut: tip flat (in.)0.004750
Sweep cut: start diameter isMajor dia at the small end (E6 plane), basic position; the blank is a 1:16 cone
Taper half-angle β (deg)1.789911
Taper on diameter1 in 16 (0.75 in./ft)
E0 pitch dia at small end (in.)3.34063
L1 hand-tight engagement (in.)0.7660
L1 (threads)6.13
E1 pitch dia at hand-tight plane (in.)3.38850
L2 effective thread, external (in.)1.2000
L2 (threads)9.60
E2 pitch dia at L2 plane (in.)3.41563
L2 − L1 (in.)0.4340
L2 − L1 (threads)3.47
L3 wrench make-up, internal (in.)0.2500
L3 (threads)2
E3 pitch dia at wrench make-up plane (in.)3.32500
V vanish thread (in.)0.4338
V (threads)3.47
L4 overall external thread length, reference (in.)1.6337
L5 complete external threads (in.)0.9500
E5 pitch dia at L5 plane (in.)3.40000
Height of thread h, Table 2 col. 22 (in.)0.10000
Change in dia per turn 0.0625/n (in.)0.00781
K0 basic minor dia at small end (in.)3.2406
E0 by formula D − (0.05D + 1.1)P3.34063
E1 by formula E0 + 0.0625·L13.38850
L2 by formula (0.80D + 6.8)P1.2000
E2 by formula E0 + 0.0625·L23.41563
E3 by formula E0 − 0.0625·L33.32500
L5 by formula L2 − 2P0.9500
E5 by formula E0 + 0.0625·L53.40000
V by formula 3.47P0.4338
L4 by formula L2 + V1.6338
K0 by formula E0 − 0.8P3.2406
Gaging methodNPT L1 thread gages (para. 5.2)
Gaging tolerance (turns)1 turn small, 0 turns large from the modified basic (Table C-1)
Gaging limit large (turns)0
Gaging limit small (turns)1
Basic gaging positionEnd of the external thread 4 threads inside the face of the L1 ring (Table 5 col. 7)
Hand-tight engagement min, ±1 turn both parts (in.)0.5160
Hand-tight engagement max, ±1 turn both parts (in.)1.0160
Wrench make-up interference on PD, basic L3/16 (in.)0.01563
Hand-tight + wrench make-up length L1 + L3 (in.)1.0160
SealingMechanical joint, not a seal (section 5)
E6 pitch dia at end of external thread (in.)3.3719
L6 shortening of thread (in.)0.500
L6 (threads)4
L2 − L6 effective thread (in.)0.700
L2 − L6 (threads)5.60
L4 − L6 max total external thread (in.)1.075
L4 − L6 (threads)8.60
V max incomplete threads due to chamfer (in.)0.375
V (threads)3
q min depth of recess in fitting (in.)0.38
Q min dia of recess in fitting (in.)3.53
T min length (in.)0.63
S distance gage notch below face of fitting (in.)0.625
S (threads)5
E6 by formula E0 + L6/163.3719
Gage: plug major dia at E0 plane (in.)3.42388
Gage: plug major dia at E1 gaging notch (in.)3.47175
Gage: plug major dia at E2 large end (in.)3.49888
Gage: pitch dia at E0 plane (in.)3.34063
Gage: pitch dia at E1 gaging notch (in.)3.38850
Gage: pitch dia at E2 large end (in.)3.41563
Gage: ring minor dia at E0 plane (in.)3.25737
Gage: ring minor dia at E1 gaging notch (in.)3.30525
Gage: thickness of L1 ring or gage elements (in.)0.7660
Gage: working gage crest truncation (in.)0.012500
Gage: root must clear 0.0381P width (in.)0.004763
Gage: plug major at E0 by formula E0 + (H − 2·trunc)3.42388
Working gage tol. on PD ± (in.)0.0005
Working gage tol. lead, plugs (in.)0.0004
Working gage tol. lead, rings (in.)0.0005
Working gage tol. half angle, plugs ± (min)7
Working gage tol. half angle, rings ± (min)10
Working gage tol. taper, plugs + (in.)0.0010
Working gage tol. taper, rings − (in.)0.0014
Working gage tol. major dia, plugs − (in.)0.0016
Working gage tol. minor dia, rings + (in.)0.0016
Working gage total cumulative tol. on PD, plugs (in.)0.00158
Working gage total cumulative tol. on PD, rings (in.)0.00211
Max standoff between plug and ring gages (in.)0.059
Check against formulasOK
NotesNPTR uses the NPT basic dimensions (Table 2) and NPT L1 gages; Table 5 gives the shortening L6, the recess and the gage-notch distance S. Table 5 values were not recalculated in 2013 (Foreword (d)). Para. 5.2 example (1/2-14): the start end of the modified basic thread lies 3 threads inside the face of the ring gage; gaging tolerance 2 turns large to 3 turns large. Max variation: no turns large and one turn small from the modified basic. Chamfer: external threads with chamfer smaller than the minor dia are gaged from the last scratch of the chamfer cone (para. 3.2.4.1, Fig. 5); otherwise from the end of the pipe (para. 3.2.4.3).
Lookup key3-8 NPTR · External

ASME B1.20.1: Pipe Threads, General Purpose, Inch. Source: workbook data (2026-10-11). Confirm against your licensed copy of the standard before use.