BS 21 - Pressure Tight Pipe Thread Joints

BSPT - British Standard Pipe Taper threads & BSP or BSPF - British Standard Pipe Parallel
(Straight) threads
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Threads according BSi - British Standard Institute - BS 21 "Specification for pipe threads for tubes and fittings where
pressure-tight joints are made on the threads" can be made as

 parallel (straight) threads

 taper threads

Note that the BS 21 is withdrawn, superseded and replaced by BS EN 10226-1:2004, BS EN 10226-2:2005, BS EN 10226-
3:2005. Product threads in ISO 7 and BS 21 and EN 10226 are identical and fully interchangeable.

Parallel (straight) Threads

BS parallel threads are also referred to as British Gas, British Pipe Parallel or Parallel Fastening Thread.

Common symbols used for the thread: BSP, BSPP, BSSPI, BSPF, BSPG, PS, Rp, G

The BSPP (parallel) male will mate with a BSPP (parallel) female or a female port.

Usually marked: G size ISO

Taper Threads
BS taper threads are also referred to as British Standard Taper Pipe, Pipe Taper or Conical Thread.

Common symbols used for the thread: BSPT, BSPTr, PT, KR, R, Rc

Usually marked: Rc size ISO

Characteristics of BSPT taper threads:

 tapered thread 1o47'

 truncation of roots and crests are rounded

 55o thread angle

 pitch is measured in threads per inch

 taper is 3/4" per foot or 1 in 16 on the diameter

Major Diameter Pitch Major Diameter Minor Diameter

Pipe Size Threads per Inch (mm) (mm) (mm)
OD
(inches) TPI - Pitch
(inches)

1/16" 28 0.304 0.907 7.723 6.561

1/8" 28 0.383 0.907 9.728 8.566

1/4" 19 0.518 1.337 13.157 11.445

 Major Diameter Pitch Major Diameter Minor Diameter
Pipe Size Threads per Inch (mm) (mm) (mm)
OD
(inches) TPI - Pitch
(inches)

3/8" 19 0.656 1.337 16.662 14.950

1/2" 14 0.825 1.814 20.955 18.631

5/8" 14 0.902 1.814 22.911 20.587

3/4" 14 1.041 1.814 26.441 24.117

7/8" 14 1.189 1.814 30.201 27.877

1" 11 1.309 2.309 33.249 30.291

1-1/8" 11 1.49 2.309 37.897 34.939

1-1/4" 11 1.650 2.309 41.910 38.952

1-1/2" 11 1.882 2.309 47.803 44.845

1-3/4" 11 2.116 2.309 53.746 50.788

2" 11 2.347 2.309 59.614 56.656

2-1/4" 11 2.587 2.309 65.710 62.752

2-1/2" 11 2.960 2.309 75.189 72.226

3" 11 3.460 2.309 87.844 84.926

 1 inch (in) = 25.4 millimeter (mm)

 1 millimeter (mm) = 0.03937 inch (in)

Reference standards for BS 21 tapered pipe threads are:

 ISO 7/1
 DIN 2999 - Germany

 JIS B 0203 - Japan

 How to identify an unknown thread type?

Figure 4: Pitch gauge

To identify an unknown thread, verify the following:

 Gender: Male or female.

 Taper: Parallel or tapered. This can be determined whether by visual inspection or by measuring the
diameter of the thread at the beginning and the end via a caliper.

 Thread Diameter: For male threads, measure the major diameter and for female threads measure the
minor diameter. Note that this diameter will always be different from the nominal size of the thread.

 Thread Pitch: For this purpose, a pitch gauge can be used (Figure 4). Make sure to measure multiple
samples to confirm accurate pitch. If a pitch gauge is not available, count the number of threads in a 1-inch span
(TPI) and the reciprocal is your thread pitch in inches. If you are skeptical that the thread is metric, count the
number of threads in a 10-mm span. The reciprocal of this number is your pitch size in mm.

Check Tables 1-5 to find a matching actual diameter corresponding to a nominal thread size. Confirm thread pitch or
TPI with the values corresponding to that diameter.

Thread Compatibility
Although some BSP and NPT threads might be tightened and engaged together fairly well, pitch
and thread angle differences between them will allow spiral leakage. Specifically speaking, at
1/16”, 1/8”, 1/4”and 3/8” sizes, pitch difference results in misalignment of the threads. This
misalignment might result in the threads to be fastened only partially. However, at 1/2” and 3/4”
sizes, NPT and BSP have the same pitch which will allow them to engage well. Nevertheless,
since there are differences in thread forms and thread angles, there will still be issues with this
connection. For low end applications, if an appropriate thread sealant is used, these threads might
be used together effectively. Table 6 shows the compatibility of threads and the required seal
type to be used as a reference for your application.

Table 6: Thread Compatibility Chart

My Fitting Designation Matching Designation Seal Type Notes
Fitting

BSPP G BSPP G O- Rs or NPT male threads are incorrect installations

Parallel Parallel ring/washer here. Rs threads are slightly smaller than G threads,
Female male and NPT threads have a different form.

BSPT taper R Tape/pipe

male dope

BSPT Rp BSPT taper R Tape/pipe G threads are incorrect installation here as they have
Parallel male dope different tolerances.
Female

BSPT Rc BSPT Rs Tape/pipe Inserting an NPT male here is an incorrect

Taper parallel male dope installation, as NPT threads have a different form.
Female
BSPT taper R Tape/pipe
male dope

NP Taper NPT NP taper NPT Tape/pipe BSP threads are not to be used with NPT threads
Female male dope even if the threads seem to engage fairly well.

NP Parallel NPS NP parallel NPS O- NPT thread is an incorrect installation here as

Female male ring/washer sealing is not possible.
The Basics on Threads of stainless steel Fittings, Valves and Flanges:
 The most popular and common type is
There are various types of connection designs for pipes, fittings, valves and flanges.

the thread end design, due to its simple installation properties. The following table provides an
overview of the main thread standards used for threaded fittings, pipe fittings, valves and
threaded flanges:

ANSI/ASME B1.20.1- Pipe Threads,

ANSI/ASME B1.20.1:2013- Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch)
General Purpose (Inch)

DIN 2999-1:1983 Pipe Threaded for Fittings and Tubes; Parallel

DIN 2999-2:1973 Whitworth Pipe Threads; Gauging Systems, use of Gauges

DIN 2999 - Pipe threads for tubes and DIN 2999-3:1973 Whitworth Pipe Threads; Gauge Dimensions
fittings; parallel internal thread and taper

external thread DIN 2999-4:1986 Whitworth Pipe Threads; Conical Screw Limit Plug

DIN 2999-5:1973 Whitworth Pipe Threads; Cylindrical Screw Limit Ring

DIN 2999-6:1975 Whitworth Pipe Threads; Conical Screw Check Plugs

DIN 259-1: 1979  Whitworth Pipe Threads - Parallel Internal and Parallel External Threads -
DIN 259 -
Basic Sizes

ISO 7 - Pipe threads where pressure-tight ISO 7-1:1994 Dimensions, tolerances and designation

joints are made on the threads  ISO 7-2:2000 Verification by means of limit gauges

ISO 228-1:2000 Dimensions, tolerances and designation

ISO 228 - Pipe threads where pressure-

ISO 228-2:1987 Verification by means of limit gauges
tight joints are not made on the threads 

EN 10226-1:2004 Taper external threads and parallel internal threads — dimensions,

tolerances and designation

EN 10226 - Pipe Thread where Pressure

EN 10226-2:2005 Taper, external threads and taper internal threads — Dimensions,
Tight Joints are made on the Threads
tolerances and designation

EN 10226-3:2005 Verification by means of limit gauges

What is the main difference between the American (NPT) and
British/European Thread?
Threads can be grouped into two main categories. There are threads that have a 60° angle or a 55° angle. Threads according to American

NPT standard have an angle of 60° while those of British/European standard have an angle of 55°. The two kinds of thread are incompatible

due to the differences in their thread degrees. Because of the difference in thread angle there will also be a difference in thread per inch.

Threads can be tested and classified with either a plug gauge (Female Threads) or a ring gauge (Male Threads) to determine of the thread

has a 60 degree or a 55 degree angle.

What is the difference between Thread Standard DIN 2999,

EN10226, ISO7, ISO228, and BS21? 
There are several different standards within the British standard, therefore causing a lot of industry wide confusion. Installers and engineers

are easily confused on threads according to DIN 2999, EN10226, ISO7, ISO228, and BS21. The German standard DIN2999 was obsolete

and is replaced by the ISO7 Standard. The standard DIN 259 is the same standard as the thread standard ISO228. The European standard

EN10226 is based with editorial modifications on ISO7, giving the threads the same gauging system. The BS standard threads are the BS

2799 and BS 21. The BS 2799 has been withdrawn and replaced by ISO 228. BS 21:1985 is technically equal to ISO 7, however the gauges

design for the tow standards are different. When using a ISO 7 gauge to test a BS21 thread, the gauge will fit, while the other way around,

the fit might not be perfect. Due to the different gauge design, some factory will have different machining tolerances on the two standards, to

fit both standards. This makes further argument on whether BS 21 is equal to ISO 7 or not. Threads can further differ in being either taper or

parallel. Tapered threads have walls that would, if continued, eventually meet, while parallel threads have thread walls which are straight.
Withworth Pipe Thread DIN EN 10226, ISO 7-1 (old: DIN 2999, BS 21) 

ISO 7-1              

Internal thread      

  - Parallel Thread Rp

  - Taper Thread Rc 

External thread

  - Taper Thread R

The internal parallel thread Rp can be screwed together by hand with the taper external thread R. The pressure tight seal is made on the

steel thread, however it is always recommended to also use additional sealing, such as silicon band, and Teflon band. A male thread taper R

according to DIN EN 10226 (ISO7-1) can be installed with a parallel female G thread according to ISO 228. Rp female threads have similar

nominal sizes to ISO 228 G female threads, however both thread standards have different tolerances. ISO 228 G male threads should not be

connected with a parallel female thread according to DIN EN 10226 (ISO7-1) as the DIN EN 10226 (ISO7-1) female thread will be too tight. If

possible, same standards of thread should always be used together. Examples of fittings with DIN EN 10226 (ISO7-1) threads are stainless

steel unions, seamless sockets, tees, and barrel nipples in 1 meter length.

Withworth Pipe Thread DIN/ISO 228

ISO 228-1

Internal thread     

  - Parallel thread G

External thread    

  - Parallel thread G

Threads according to ISO 228 do not create a pressure tight seal on the thread. A sustainable seal is created through the force pressed on a

sealing surface, such as when installed with an O-ring. Example for fittings with an ISO 228 thread are stainless steel running

nipples, hexagon nuts, and plugs according to DIN 910. 

NPT, American ANSI/ASME Thread Standard

NPT Internal Thread Parallel (Female)

NPT External Thread Parallel (Male)

Both the female and male thread in the NPT thread standard are parallel and the pressure tight joint is created on the thread. To create a

pressure tight connection, it is recommended to use silicon tape or Teflon tape. Example of fittings with an NPT thread are welding nipple,

barrel nipples, elbow, and hexagon nipples.