How To Use NPT and NPTF Gages
How To Use NPT and NPTF Gages
Gaging of NPT threads is quite easy and differs from straight threads in that only one gage, an L1 plug or L1 ring is used to determine
acceptability.The taper pipe thread plug has a step at the L1 distance from its small end. When turned hand tight into the product’s
internal pipe thread, (do not force the gage), the step is required to be flush with the large end of the product thread within a tolerance
of plus or minus one turn. Many times the product thread is chamfered, countersunk or recessed, exceeding the major diameter of the
thread. In these instances, the gaging point of the product thread becomes where the first visible sign of a scratch mark at the major
diameter occurs on the chamfer cone.
Fitting Flush +/- 1 turn
Basic Notch
The taper pipe thread ring gage has a thickness equal to the L1 length.The ring’s large end (marked face) is turned hand tight onto the
external pipe thread until it stops (do not force the gage). The small end of the ring gage is required to be flush with the small end of
the pipe within a tolerance of plus or minus one turn.
L1 Ring Gage
NPT
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Basic Use of NPTF 3-Step & 6-Step Gages
Screw the L1 plug into the Screw the L3 plug into the Insert 6-step Crest Check
fitting (hand tighten). This fitting (hand tighten). The plug into the fitting. When
classifies the thread as to gage must match the classifi- the L1 plug is at the maxi-
“Maximum”, “Basic”, or cation of the L1 plug within mum notch, the 6-step gage
“Minimum”. +/- 1/2 turns. must go between “MX” and
“MXT” notch. When the L1
plug is at the Basic Notch,
the 6-Step gage must go be-
tween “B” and “BT” notch.
When the L1 plug is at mini-
mum notch, the 6-Step gage
must go between the “MN”
and “MNT” notch.
JIS (Japanese) & DIN (German) Parallel and Tapered Pipe Thread Gages are also available.
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NPTF Thread Gages
Class 1 Threads
Gaging of NPTF class 1 threads is identical to that of NPT threads with the use of the L1 plug or L1 ring. In addition, the use of an L3 plug or L2 ring is necessary for
a functional check of taper deviations and continuation of thread beyond the L1 length of engagement.
The L3 plug or L2 ring may not vary from the relative position established by the L1 plug or ring by more than ± 1/2 turn. Crest and root truncations are generally
considered adequately controlled by the tooling used to produce the product threads in NPTF class 1 threads.
Class 2 Threads
Gaging of NPTF class 2 threads is identical to that of NPTF class 1 threads with the use of L1 and L3 plugs or L1 and L2 rings. The L1 plug or L1 ring is also used to
classify the thread as being “maximum”, “basic” or “minimum”. (see diagram) Note: Basic range is ± 1/3 turn from basic step. The use of 4-Step L1 gages
facilitates classification of product threads. They offer 2 steps for each classification range rather than estimating the range by turning the gage from the basic step
and are highly recommended.
NPTF class 2 threads also require the measurement or gaging of the crests and roots of the threads. While direct measurements or optical projection is more
accurate and should be considered the final method in the event of a dispute, 6-Step crest and root truncation gages offer fast, simplified and acceptable method of
checking crests and roots. The 6-Step gages consist of 3 pairs of steps, each pair corresponding to the classification of the thread established by the L1 plug or ring
as “maximum”, “basic”, or “minimum.” Specifications for all Class 2 NPTF threads are shown for the recommended 4-Step Gage design on the following page.
Basic
Step
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
(REF)
The Steps of the crest check or root check are marked and correspond to the following:
MN Minimum thread with minimum truncation. MNT Minimum thread with maximum truncation.
B Basic thread with minimum truncation. BT Basic thread with maximum truncation.
MX Maximum thread with minimum truncation. MXT Maximum thread with maximum truncation.
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NPTF Class 2 Specifications
Basic Dimensions for L1 Plug Gages, NPTF Basic Dimensions for L3 Plug Gages
Basic Dim. at L1
Nominal Size Small End Min. Range Basic Range Max. Range Small End Min. Range Basic Range Max. Range
Basic Plane Basic
& T.P.I. Four
Length Min. Max Min. Max. Min. Max. Length Threads Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max.
L1 Pitch Major Step 1 Step 2 Step 2 Step 3 Step 3 Step 4 Pitch Major Step 1 Step 2 Step 2 Step 3 Step 3 Step 4
Pitch Dia. Major Dia L1+L3 L3+p
Dia. Dia. Dia Dia.
L1-p L1-1/3p L1-1/3p L1+1/3p L1+1/3p L1+p L1+L3-p L1+L3-1/3p L1+L3-1/3p L1+L3+1/3p L1+L3+1/3p L1+L3+p
1/16-27 .1600 .27118 .29289 .28118 .30289 .12296 .14766 .14766 .17234 .17234 .19704 .2711 .2642 .2815 .1482 .23406 .25876 .25876 .28344 .28344 .30814
1/8-27 .1615 .36351 .38522 .37360 .39531 .12446 .14916 .14916 .17384 .17384 .19854 .2726 .3566 .3738 .1482 .23556 .26026 .26026 .28494 .28494 .30964
1/4-18 .2278 .47739 .51339 .49163 .52763 .17224 .20928 .20928 .24632 .24632 .28336 .3945 .4670 .4928 .2222 .33894 .37598 .37598 .41302 .41302 .45006
3/8-18 .2400 .61201 .64801 .62701 .66301 .18444 .22148 .22148 .25852 .25852 .29556 .4067 .6016 .6275 .2222 .35114 .38818 .38818 .42522 .42522 .46226
1/2-14 .3200 .75843 .80815 .77843 .82815 .24857 .29619 .29619 .34381 .34381 .39143 .5343 .7451 .7783 .2857 .46287 .51049 .51049 .55811 .55811 .60573
3/4-14 .3390 .96768 1.01740 .98887 1.03859 .26757 .31519 .31519 .36281 .36281 .41043 .5533 .9543 .9876 .2857 .48187 .52949 .52949 .57711 .57711 .62473
1-11-1/2 .4000 1.21363 1.27329 1.23863 1.29829 .31304 .37102 .37102 .42898 .42898 .48696 .6609 1.1973 1.2379 .3478 .57394 .63192 .63192 .68988 .68988 .74786
1-1/4-11-1/2 .4200 1.55713 1.61679 1.58338 1.64304 .33304 .39102 .39102 .44898 .44898 .50696 .6809 1.5408 1.5814 .3478 .59394 .65192 .65192 .70988 .70988 .76786
1-1/2-11-1/2 .4200 1.79609 1.85575 1.82234 1.88200 .33304 .39102 .39102 .44898 .44898 .50696 .6809 1.7798 1.8203 .3478 .59394 .65192 .65192 .70988 .70988 .76786
2-11-1/2 .4360 2.26902 2.32868 2.29627 2.35593 .34904 .40702 .40702 .46498 .46498 .52296 .6969 2.2527 2.2932 ..3478 .60994 .66792 .66792 .72588 .72588 .78386
Basic Dimensions for Crest Check Plug Gages Basic Dimensions for Root Check Plug Gages
Max. Dia. at L1 + L3
Max. Dia At L3 Basic Pipe Thread Min. Thread Max. Thread Basic Pipe Thread Min. Thread Max. Thread
Nominal length from end of
Basic Thread with Max. width of
Size & T.P.I. Max. Truncation. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. fitting. Basic Thread Max. Min. Max. Min. Max.
crest at Major Min.
Truncation Truncation Truncation Truncation Truncation Truncation with Min. Truncation. Truncation Truncation. Truncation Truncation. Truncation.
Diameter. Truncation
+.00015 +.000 +.000 +.000 +.0002 +.002 +.002 +.002
-.00000 +/- .001 -.002 +/-.001 -.002 +/-.001 -.002 -.0000 +/-.001 -.000 +/-.001 -.000 +/-.001 -.000
1/16-27 .2391 .2154 .2711 .1907 .2464 .2401 .2958 .2893 .003 .2711 .2166 .2464 .1919 .2958 .2413
1/8-27 .3315 .2169 .2726 .1922 .2479 .2416 .2973 .3817 .003 .2726 .2181 .2479 .1934 .2973 .2428
1/4-18 .4276 .3394 .3945 .3024 .3575 .3764 .4315 .5064 .004 .3945 .3394 .3575 .3024 .4315 .3764
3/8-18 .5622 .3516 .4067 .3146 .3697 .3886 .4437 .6410 .004 .4067 .3516 .3697 .3146 .4437 .3886
1/2-14 .6918 .4794 .5343 .4318 .4867 .5270 .5819 .7984 .004 .5343 .4772 .4867 .4296 .5819 .5248
3/4-14 .9010 .4984 .5533 .4508 .5057 .5460 .6009 1.0076 .004 .5533 .4962 .5057 .4486 .6009 .5438
1-11-1/2 1.1324 .6052 .6609 .5472 .6029 .6632 .7189 1.2622 .005 .6609 .5774 .6029 .5194 .7189 .6354
1-1/4-11-1/2 1.4759 .6252 .6809 .5672 .6229 .6832 .7389 1.6057 .005 .6809 .5974 .6229 .5394 .7389 .6554
1-1/2-11-1/2 1.7149 .6252 .6809 .5672 .6229 .6832 .7389 1.8447 .005 .6809 .5974 .6229 .5394 .7389 .6554
2-11-1/2 2.1878 .6412 .6969 .5832 .6389 .6992 .7549 2.3176 .005 .6969 .6134 .6389 .5554 .7549 .6714
Basic Dimensions for L1 Ring Gages Basic Dimensions for L2 Ring Gages
Large End Maximum Range Basic Range Minimum Range Large End Maximum Range Basic Range Minimum Range
Basic Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Basic Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min.
Nominal Size
Length Pitch Minor Step 1 Step 2 Step 2 Step 3 Step 3 Step 4 Length Pitch Minor Step 1 Step 2 Step 2 Step 3 Step 3 Step 4
& T.P.I.
L1 Dia. Dia. L2 Dia. Dia.
(L1 - p) (L1 - 1/3p) (L1 - 1/3p) (L1 + 1/3p) (L1 + 1/3p) (L1 + p) L2-p L2-1/3p L2-1/3p L2+1/3p L2+1/3p L2+p
1/16-27 .1600 .28118 .25947 .12296 .14766 .14766 .17234 .17234 .19704 .26113 .28750 .27024 .22409 .24879 .24879 .27347 .27347 .29817
1/8-27 .1615 .37360 .35189 .12446 .14916 .14916 .17384 .17384 .19854 .26385 .38000 .36274 .22681 .25151 .25151 .27619 .27619 .30089
1/4-18 .2278 .49163 .45563 .17224 .20928 .20928 .24632 .24632 .28336 .40178 .50250 .47661 .34622 .38326 .38326 .42030 .42030 .45734
3/8-18 .2400 .62701 .59101 .18444 .22148 .22148 .25852 .25852 .29556 .40778 .63750 .61161 .35222 .38926 .38926 .42630 .42630 .46334
1/21-14 .3200 .77843 .72871 .24857 .29619 .29619 .34381 .34381 .39143 .53371 .79179 .75850 .46228 .50990 .50990 .55752 .55752 .60514
3/4-14 .3390 .98887 .93915 .26757 .31519 .31519 .36281 .36281 .41043 .54571 1.00179 .96850 .47428 .52190 .52190 .56952 .56952 .61714
1-11-1/2 .4000 1.23853 1.17897 .31304 .37102 .37102 .42898 .42898 .48696 .68278 1.25630 1.21577 .59582 .65379 .65379 .71176 .71176 .76974
1-1/4-11-1/2 .4200 1.58338 1.52372 .33304 .39102 .39102 .44898 .44898 .50696 .70678 1.60130 1.56077 .61982 .67780 .67780 .73576 .73576 .79374
1-1/2-11-1/2 .4200 1.82234 1.76268 .33304 .39102 .39102 .44898 .44898 .50696 .72348 1.84130 1.80077 .63652 .69450 .69450 .75246 .75246 .81044
2-11-1/2 .4360 2.29627 2.23661 .34904 .40702 .40702 .46498 .46498 .52296 .75652 2.31630 2.27577 .66956 .72754 .72754 .78550 .78550 .84348
Basic Dimensions for Crest Check Ring Gages Basic Dimensions for Root Check Ring Gages
Major Diam at Basic Pipe Minimum Thread Maximum Thread
Minor Dia. at L2 length Basic Pipe Thread Min. Thread Max. Thread
L2 Basic Thread Max.
Ring from end of pipe. Basic
Thread with Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. width of Max. Min. Max. Min. Max.
Nominal Size & Min Dia. thread with min. Min.
Max. Trunc. Trunc. Trunc. Trunc Trunc. Crest at Trunc. Trunc. Trunc Trunc. Trunc.
T.P.I. Trunc. B truncation D Trunc. B
Truncation D Bt MN MNt MX MXt Minor Bt MN MNt. Mx MXt
-.00015 +.000 +.000 +.000 +.0002 Dia. F +.002 +.002 +.002
+.0000 +/- .001 -.002 +/- .001 -.002 +/- .001 -.002 +/-.03 -.0000 +/-.001 -.000 +/-.001 -.000 +/-.001 -.000
1/16-27 .3126 .2054 .2611 .2301 .2858 .1807 .2364 1-1/4 .2624 .003 .2611 .2066 .2858 .2313 .2364 .1819
1/8-27 .4051 .2082 .2639 .2329 .2886 .1835 .2392 1-1/4 .3549 .003 .2639 .2094 .2886 .2341 .2392 .1847
1/4-18 .5419 .3467 .4018 .3837 .4388 .3097 .3648 1-1/2 .4631 .004 .4018 .3467 .4388 .3837 .3648 .3097
3/8-18 .6769 .3527 .4078 .3897 .4448 .3157 .3708 1-3/4 .5981 .004 .4078 .3527 .4448 .3897 .3708 .3157
1/2-14 .8451 .4788 .5337 .5264 .5813 .4312 .4861 2 .7385 .004 .5337 .4766 .5813 .5242 .4861 .4290
3/4-14 1.0551 .4908 .5457 .5384 .5933 .4432 .4981 2-1/4 .9485 .004 .5457 .4886 .5933 .5362 .4981 .4410
1-11-1/2 1.3212 .6272 .6828 .6852 .7408 .5692 .6248 2-5/8 1.1914 .005 .6828 .5993 .7408 .6573 .6248 .5413
1-1/4-11-1/2 1.6662 .6512 .7068 .7092 .7648 .5932 .6488 3-1/8 1.5364 .005 .7068 .6233 .7648 .6813 .6488 .5653
1-1/2-11-1/2 1.9062 .6678 .7235 .7258 .7815 .6098 .6655 3-3/8 1.7764 .005 .7235 .6400 .7815 .6980 .6655 .5820
2-11-1/2 2.3812 .7008 .7565 .7588 .8145 .6428 .6985 4.00 2.2514 .005 .7565 .6730 .8145 .7310 .6985 .6150
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