Are gas fittings NPT?
Measuring gas pipe size isn't as straightforward as you would think. Gas pipe sizes are standardized on the NPT (National Pipe Thread) standard.
BSPP or Gas thread.
It is the standard that has been adopted worldwide (except in North America) for the connection and sealing of pipes and fittings by coupling an external thread (male) with an internal thread (female).
NPT fittings are the most common threads used for general purposes and feature tapered threads used for joining and sealing the fittings for use with fluids like air or gas.
Black and Galvanized Steel Pipe, Nipples and Fittings
The pipe has NPT threads on both ends and a coupling on one end making a full joint mipt x fipt overall. Cut lengths won't include a coupling; if you need one, you should order one.
The NPT thread (Nationale Pipe Thread) represents the American standard compliant with the AISI B1. 20.1 standard and is the second most used in the field of hydraulic fittings. Compared to the GAS thread, it has a 60 ° thread angle which results in a larger pitch (which means a smaller number of threads per inch).
Although the threads look incredibly similar, they are not compatible. The NPT (US Standard) thread is tapered with a 60 deg thread pitch and designed to seal when the threads compress together, with pipe tape to fill in any minor leak paths.
uses standard EN ISO 228-1 to produce threads of the standard catalogue brass fittings for threaded tube and pipe. This type of thread is also known as BSP parallel thread (cylindrical) or "Gas" thread (G).
Brass fittings are commonly used to transport chemicals, flammable gases, slurries, or other liquids in water applications. A brass fitting can connect, adapt, or control any liquid or gas in a pipe in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Types of Gas Fittings
Most gas fittings are made from either copper or brass. The most common gas piping is copper, Duopex, Gaspex. A fitting or adapter is used in pipe systems to connect straight sections of pipe to different sizes.
What is a 1/2 gas thread?
BSP – British Standard Pipe | ||
---|---|---|
Inch | Threading diameter (mm) | Threads x inch |
1/4″ | 13,157 | 19 |
3/8″ | 16,662 | 19 |
1/2″ | 20,955 | 14 |
Common sizes of flare fittings are 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 5/8 inch. Match flare fittings to the outside diameter of the soft copper you're connecting to. Note: The photo below shows a soft copper line that's kinked and should be replaced.

Tubing is measured by the OUTSIDE DIAMETER (O.D.), specified in inches (e.g., 1.250) or fraction of an inch (eg. 1-1/4″). Pipe is usually measured by NOMINAL PIPE SIZE (NPS).
The primary purpose of black steel pipe is to carry natural gas into homes and businesses. The pipe is manufactured without a seam, making it a stronger and safer pipe to carry gas. The black steel pipe is also used for fire sprinkler systems because it is more fire-resistant than galvanized pipe.
Lowe's also offers free pipe threading and cutting for any size of galvanized or black iron pipe. The process involves a machine‐based cutting operation with a metal wheel that creates threads in the ends of pipes. This service is specifically designed to both thread and cut pipes. No blade is involved in the process.
Types of Gas Fittings
Most gas fittings are made from either copper or brass. The most common gas piping is copper, Duopex, Gaspex. A fitting or adapter is used in pipe systems to connect straight sections of pipe to different sizes.
Common styles for gas fittings include adapter, coupling, cross or 4-way, 45° or 90° elbow fittings, and quick couplers. When choosing gas fittings, connection selection is an important consideration that should be made based on the application.
There is no such thing as a “natural gas line reverse thread.” The threads on a natural gas line are standard left-hand threads, meaning that they screw into a fitting in a clockwise direction.
NPT and BSP threads are not interchangeable due to the differences in thread forms. NPT threads are pointed in the peaks and valleys, where BSPs are rounded. Most notably, the NPT thread angle is 60 degrees versus the BSP 55-degree angle.