18-8 NPT NPT (taper pipe thread) Internal Thread Specifications

18-8 NPT · 18.000-8 NPT

ASMESTD: ASME B1.20.1SOURCE: Table 2 · p. 9TYPE: Internal (nut/tapped hole)CLASS: —SERIES: NPT (taper pipe thread)TAPER 1:16
Major diameter
17.98281 – 17.95994
max – min, at the gage plane
Pitch diameter
17.88281 – 17.86719
max – min, at the gage plane
Minor diameter
17.79006 – 17.76719
max – min, at the gage plane
Pitch
0.12500
8 threads per inch

Thread profile

gage plane: face (large end)thread axisD1 = 17.9828–17.9599major dia (root)E1 = 17.88281–17.86719pitch dia, basic 17.87500K1 = 17.7901–17.7672minor dia (crest)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 ⟂ axisinternal thread (female)

Internal 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 1 · E117.87500plane 0 · E017.75000plane 3 · E317.73438FEMALE · 18-8 NPTtrue scale (lengths and diameters); axis below, not drawnL1 2.0000L3 = 3p 0.2500full thread 2.2500 (18.00 thd)

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 D1Root of the internal thread at the gage plane17.9828117.959940.02287
Pitch diameter E1Gage plane E1: L1 from the small end (external) or at the large end of the fitting (internal); gaging tolerance converted to diameter17.8750017.8828117.867190.01562
Minor diameter K1Crest of the internal thread at the gage plane17.7900617.767190.02287
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° 08′
Gaging method
L1 ring gage (external) / L1 plug gage (internal), or L1 indicating gage (para. 3.2)
Gaging tolerance
±1 turn
Gaging position
Gaging notch of plug flush with the large end of the fitting
Sealing
Pressure-tight: wrench-tight with sealant (para. 1.4)

Basic pitch diameters and lengths Table 3

Pitch dia at the small end of the external thread E0
17.75000 in
Hand-tight engagement L1
2.0000 · 16.00 in, threads
Pitch dia at the hand-tight plane E1
17.87500 in
Effective external thread L2
2.6500 · 21.20 in, threads
Pitch dia at L2 E2
17.91563 in
Wrench make-up length L3
0.2500 · 2 in, threads
Pitch dia at the wrench make-up plane E3
17.73438 in
Complete external threads L5
2.4000 in
Pitch dia at L5 E5
17.9000 in
Vanish thread V
0.4338 · 3.47 in, threads
Overall external thread length L4
3.0837 informula gives 3.0838
Basic minor dia at the small end K0
17.6499 informula gives 17.6500
Change of diameter per turn
0.00781 in
Hand-tight engagement range, ± 1 turn
1.7500 – 2.2500 in
Wrench make-up interference on the PD
0.01563 in
Hand-tight plus wrench make-up length L1+L3
2.2500 in

L1 plug and ring gages Tables 8 and 9

Plug gage major dia at the E0 plane
17.83325 in
Plug gage major dia at the gaging notch (E1)
17.95825 in
Plug gage major dia at the large end (E2)
17.99888 in
Gage pitch dia at the E0 plane
17.75000 in
Gage pitch dia at the gaging notch (E1)
17.87500 in
Gage pitch dia at the large end (E2)
17.91563 in
Ring gage minor dia at the E0 plane
17.66675 in
Ring gage minor dia at the gaging notch (E1)
17.79175 in
Thickness of the L1 ring or gage elements
2.0000 in
Working gage crest truncation
0.012500 in
Maximum standoff between plug and ring gages
0.076 in

Working gage tolerances Table 7

On the pitch diameter ±
0.0008 in
Lead, plugs / rings
0.0005 / 0.0006 in
Half angle ±, plugs / rings
7 / 10 min
Taper, plugs / rings
0.0010 / 0.0014 in
Major dia of plugs
0.0030 in
Minor dia of rings
0.0030 in
Total cumulative tolerance on the PD, plugs / rings
0.00206 / 0.00271 in

Notes

  • Table 2 Notes: L1 is also the length of the L1 ring gage and the distance from the gaging notch to the small end of the L1 plug; E1 is also the PD at the gaging notch of the L1 plug; L2 is also the threaded length of the L1 plug; L4 is a reference dimension; L5 = L2 − 2P (the next two threads are complete at the root); K0 is given for selecting tap drills (Appendix B). Gaging: ±1 turn from basic (Fig. 4 / Fig. 6); with indicating gages ±0.0625/n on diameter (paras. 3.2.1.2, 3.2.2.2). The gaging tolerance can lengthen or shorten engagement by up to two turns; gage wear reduces it further (para. 3.1.9.1). Diameter limits here are calculated at the gage plane (E1 ± 0.0625/n on PD; major and minor add the Table 1 truncation limits). The standard itself tabulates basic dimensions only. Chamfer: internal threads with chamfer larger than the major dia are gaged from the last scratch of the chamfer cone (para. 3.2.4.2, Fig. 5); otherwise from the end of the fitting (para. 3.2.4.4).
  • L4 (col. 19): printed 3.0837, formula 3.0838 (1 in last place, rounding); K0 (col. 24): printed 17.6499, formula 17.65 (1 in last place, rounding)

Mates

18-8 NPT takes a thread of the same standard at the same size and pitch. The standard mating external 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 18-8 NPTevery column of the workbook row
All values of the workbook row 18-8 NPT
Designation18-8 NPT
Decimal designation18.000-8 NPT
Threads per inch8
Thread formTaper
SeriesNPT
Series nameAmerican National Standard Taper Pipe Thread
External / internalInternal
Class—
Nominal pipe size18
Pitch P (in.)0.12500000
O.D. of pipe D, basic major dia (in.)18.0000
Size category (Table 3 group)2-1/2 and larger (8 TPI)
Source tableTable 2
Printed page9
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.)17.98281
Major dia min (in.)17.95994
Major dia tolerance (in.)0.02287
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.)17.87500
Pitch dia max (in.)17.88281
Pitch dia min (in.)17.86719
PD tolerance (in.)0.01562
Minor dia max (in.)17.79006
Minor dia min (in.)17.76719
Minor dia tolerance (in.)0.02287
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; lead ±0.003 in./in. when the effective thread is longer than 1 in. (Note 1)
Lead angle at basic PD (deg)0.127537
Lead angle (deg min)0° 08′
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.)0.10000
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.)17.77500
Sweep cut: tip diameter (in.)17.97500
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 isMinor dia at the large end of the fitting (E1 plane), basic position; the hole 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.)17.75000
L1 hand-tight engagement (in.)2.0000
L1 (threads)16.00
E1 pitch dia at hand-tight plane (in.)17.87500
L2 effective thread, external (in.)2.6500
L2 (threads)21.20
E2 pitch dia at L2 plane (in.)17.91563
L2 − L1 (in.)0.6500
L2 − L1 (threads)5.20
L3 wrench make-up, internal (in.)0.2500
L3 (threads)2
E3 pitch dia at wrench make-up plane (in.)17.73438
V vanish thread (in.)0.4338
V (threads)3.47
L4 overall external thread length, reference (in.)3.0837
L5 complete external threads (in.)2.4000
E5 pitch dia at L5 plane (in.)17.9000
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.)17.6499
E0 by formula D − (0.05D + 1.1)P17.75000
E1 by formula E0 + 0.0625·L117.87500
L2 by formula (0.80D + 6.8)P2.6500
E2 by formula E0 + 0.0625·L217.91563
E3 by formula E0 − 0.0625·L317.73438
L5 by formula L2 − 2P2.4000
E5 by formula E0 + 0.0625·L517.90000
V by formula 3.47P0.4338
L4 by formula L2 + V3.0838
K0 by formula E0 − 0.8P17.6500
Gaging methodL1 ring gage (external) / L1 plug gage (internal), or L1 indicating gage (para. 3.2)
Gaging tolerance (turns)±1 turn
Gaging limit large (turns)1
Gaging limit small (turns)1
Basic gaging positionGaging notch of plug flush with the large end of the fitting
Hand-tight engagement min, ±1 turn both parts (in.)1.7500
Hand-tight engagement max, ±1 turn both parts (in.)2.2500
Wrench make-up interference on PD, basic L3/16 (in.)0.01563
Hand-tight + wrench make-up length L1 + L3 (in.)2.2500
SealingPressure-tight: wrench-tight with sealant (para. 1.4)
Gage: plug major dia at E0 plane (in.)17.83325
Gage: plug major dia at E1 gaging notch (in.)17.95825
Gage: plug major dia at E2 large end (in.)17.99888
Gage: pitch dia at E0 plane (in.)17.75000
Gage: pitch dia at E1 gaging notch (in.)17.87500
Gage: pitch dia at E2 large end (in.)17.91563
Gage: ring minor dia at E0 plane (in.)17.66675
Gage: ring minor dia at E1 gaging notch (in.)17.79175
Gage: thickness of L1 ring or gage elements (in.)2.0000
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)17.83325
Working gage tol. on PD ± (in.)0.0008
Working gage tol. lead, plugs (in.)0.0005
Working gage tol. lead, rings (in.)0.0006
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.)0.0030
Working gage tol. minor dia, rings + (in.)0.0030
Working gage total cumulative tol. on PD, plugs (in.)0.00206
Working gage total cumulative tol. on PD, rings (in.)0.00271
Max standoff between plug and ring gages (in.)0.076
Check against formulasL4 (col. 19): printed 3.0837, formula 3.0838 (1 in last place, rounding); K0 (col. 24): printed 17.6499, formula 17.65 (1 in last place, rounding)
NotesTable 2 Notes: L1 is also the length of the L1 ring gage and the distance from the gaging notch to the small end of the L1 plug; E1 is also the PD at the gaging notch of the L1 plug; L2 is also the threaded length of the L1 plug; L4 is a reference dimension; L5 = L2 − 2P (the next two threads are complete at the root); K0 is given for selecting tap drills (Appendix B). Gaging: ±1 turn from basic (Fig. 4 / Fig. 6); with indicating gages ±0.0625/n on diameter (paras. 3.2.1.2, 3.2.2.2). The gaging tolerance can lengthen or shorten engagement by up to two turns; gage wear reduces it further (para. 3.1.9.1). Diameter limits here are calculated at the gage plane (E1 ± 0.0625/n on PD; major and minor add the Table 1 truncation limits). The standard itself tabulates basic dimensions only. Chamfer: internal threads with chamfer larger than the major dia are gaged from the last scratch of the chamfer cone (para. 3.2.4.2, Fig. 5); otherwise from the end of the fitting (para. 3.2.4.4).
Lookup key18-8 NPT · Internal

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.