Chainsaw Cutter Tooth Sizes (Pitch & Gauge Chart)
For a replacement chain, match three measurements: pitch, gauge, and drive-link count. Pitch must suit the saw’s drive sprocket and bar nose; gauge must fit the bar groove; drive-link count must match the bar. Cutter shape and file size are separate specifications, so check the chain maker’s chart before sharpening or buying.
If the chain is burning wood instead of cutting, it may be dull, but first make sure it is the correct chain for the saw and bar. I’ve seen owners focus on the bar’s printed length and overlook the pitch, gauge, or link count. Those details determine fit. The quick charts below help you identify them without guessing.
What chain size means
Chain size describes how the chain fits the saw, not the exact dimensions of its cutter teeth. Pitch and gauge identify key fit measurements; drive-link count completes the match to the bar. Cutter shape, sharpening angles, and file diameter are separate details that depend on the chain’s design.
A chain package may show a size such as 3/8 in LP, .050 in, 56 drive links. Here, “LP” means low-profile pitch. The three numbers describe pitch, gauge, and the number of drive links. A similar-looking chain may still be incompatible if even one of those values differs.
Use the saw manual and bar markings to confirm the approved chain. The saw’s drive sprocket and the bar nose must suit the chain pitch, while the bar groove must suit its gauge. The chain must also have the correct drive-link count for that specific bar.
Chainsaw chain pitch chart
Pitch is half the distance between the centers of the first and third rivets in a row of three. It is a nominal chain size, not a measurement to estimate by eye. The pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the bar nose sprocket.
| Nominal pitch | Common description | Fit note |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 1/4-pitch chain | Match the saw sprocket and bar nose |
| .325 in | .325-pitch chain | Not interchangeable with 3/8 in |
| 3/8 in LP | 3/8 in low profile | Distinct from standard 3/8 in |
| 3/8 in | Standard 3/8 in | Distinct from 3/8 in LP |
| .404 in | .404-pitch chain | Confirm the saw and bar are specified for it |
Pitch names that sound similar do not mean the chains are interchangeable. In particular, 3/8 in LP and standard 3/8 in are different chain types. Do not rely on a visual comparison or try to fit a chain that does not match the sprockets.
To check pitch, look for a marking on the bar or chain package, then verify it in the saw manual. If markings are missing or unclear, use the chain maker’s identification guide or ask a qualified service shop to identify the chain and sprocket.
Chain gauge chart
Gauge is the thickness of the drive links that travel inside the guide bar groove. A chain with the wrong gauge may not sit or move correctly in that groove. Gauge is not determined by pitch, so check the bar marking or its manufacturer’s specification.
| Common gauge | Metric equivalent | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| .043 in | 1.1 mm | Bar groove and chain specification |
| .050 in | 1.3 mm | Bar groove and chain specification |
| .058 in | 1.5 mm | Bar groove and chain specification |
| .063 in | 1.6 mm | Bar groove and chain specification |
Do not assume a particular pitch always uses a particular gauge. A given pitch may be available in more than one gauge, and a bar may be marked with both measurements. Confirm that the replacement chain’s gauge matches the bar groove exactly.
A chain that matches the gauge but not the pitch or drive-link count is still the wrong chain. Do not force it onto the bar or try to compensate by adjusting tension. Correct fit requires all three measurements.
Find the right chain for your saw and bar
A correct replacement chain matches the drive sprocket, the bar nose, and the bar groove, as well as the bar’s required drive-link count. Bar length alone does not give you all of that information. Check the saw manual and bar markings before buying or installing a chain.
Use this order when checking a chain:
- Find the approved pitch and gauge in the saw manual or on the bar.
- Confirm that the drive sprocket and bar nose are compatible with that pitch.
- Find the bar-specific drive-link count on the bar marking, chain packaging, or manufacturer’s guide.
- Check the chain maker’s model or part number against those specifications.
Drive links are the small links that sit in the bar groove and engage the sprocket. Count them if needed, following the chain maker’s method; do not estimate the count from bar length. Two bars with the same printed length may call for different chain configurations.
| Example chain marking | Meaning | Confirm before fitting |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8 in LP, .050 in, 56 DL | Low-profile pitch, .050-in gauge, 56 drive links | Sprocket, bar nose, and exact bar requirement |
| .325 in, .058 in, 72 DL | .325 pitch, .058-in gauge, 72 drive links | Saw approval and bar groove |
| 3/8 in, .063 in, 84 DL | Standard 3/8 pitch, .063-in gauge, 84 drive links | Saw approval and bar-specific link count |
These are examples of how a size is written, not universal combinations. A chain with the same pitch and gauge can still have the wrong link count for your bar. Likewise, bar length does not establish a safe engine-size match; use the saw maker’s approved bar and chain combinations.
Cutter teeth, file size, and depth gauges
Cutter teeth are the sharpened parts that remove wood. Their cutting shape and sharpening instructions depend on the chain model, not just pitch and gauge. File diameter, filing angle, and depth-gauge setting must come from the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
| Chain pitch | Common round-file diameter* |
|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 4.0 mm |
| 3/8 in LP | 4.0 mm |
| .325 in | 4.8 mm |
| 3/8 in standard | 5.2 mm |
| .404 in | 5.5 mm |
*These are common guide values, not a substitute for the chain maker’s specification. Chain design and model can change the correct file size. Check the chain marking or manufacturer’s filing chart before sharpening.
A depth gauge, often called a raker, limits how much wood a cutter takes on each pass. Set it to the chain maker’s specification and use the specified gauge tool. .025 in (0.635 mm) is common on some chains, but it is not a universal setting. Lowering depth gauges too far can make the saw cut aggressively and increase kickback risk.
I’ve seen the same filing mistake repeat: someone chooses a file from a general chart, then assumes every chain with that pitch uses the same filing setup. Pitch helps narrow the search, but the chain model is the final reference. Sharpen cutters evenly, and replace damaged or excessively worn chain parts rather than trying to file them back into service.
Common fit-check cases
These examples show how I work through chain-size questions at the bench. They are compatibility checks, not claims that a particular chain size fits every saw of a certain bar length. The saw manual, bar, sprocket, and chain markings decide the answer.
Case 1: The replacement matches the groove but not the pitch. An owner finds a chain with the bar’s gauge but a different pitch. I would not install it. Gauge alone does not ensure the chain fits the drive sprocket or bar nose; verify the pitch and link count too.
Case 2: The pitch and gauge match, but the chain is too long or short. The drive-link count must match the specific bar. Recheck the bar marking or maker’s chart rather than removing links or forcing the adjuster to its limit.
Case 3: The chain fits, but the file seems wrong. Fit dimensions do not specify sharpening dimensions. Identify the chain model and check its filing chart for file diameter, filing angle, and depth-gauge setting.
Before starting after chain work, inspect the chain, bar groove and rails, sprocket, chain catcher, brake, and lubrication system. With the engine off and cool, tension the chain as the manual directs. Never run a cutting chain dry, and do not use a damaged or incorrectly assembled chain.
Frequently asked questions
These answers cover the most common sizing checks: how pitch and gauge differ, where to find drive-link count, and how to choose a file. Use them as a quick reference, then confirm exact specifications in the saw or chain maker’s instructions.
How do I find my chainsaw chain size?
Look for pitch and gauge markings on the bar, then find the required drive-link count in the bar or chain maker’s information. Confirm all three against the saw manual and the chain package before buying.
Does bar length tell me the chain size?
No. Bar length alone does not identify pitch, gauge, or drive-link count. Use the markings for your specific bar and verify the approved bar and chain combination in the saw manual.
Are 3/8 in LP and standard 3/8 in the same?
No. They are different pitch types and are not interchangeable. Check whether the saw’s drive sprocket and bar nose are designed for low-profile or standard 3/8-in chain.
Can I use any chain with the right gauge?
No. The chain must also match the drive-sprocket and bar-nose pitch, plus the bar’s drive-link count. Gauge alone does not establish compatibility.
How do I know the drive-link count?
Check the bar marking, chain packaging, or the bar manufacturer’s chart. If you count links, follow the chain maker’s method. Do not estimate link count from bar length.
What file size should I use?
Use the chain maker’s filing chart for the exact chain model. Common file diameters vary by pitch and chain design, so a general chart is only a starting point, not a final specification.
Is .025 inch the right depth-gauge setting for every chain?
No. It is common on some chains, but the correct setting depends on the chain maker’s specification. Use the specified tool and setting; excessive lowering can increase kickback risk.
Can I tell chain size from the cutter teeth?
Not reliably. Cutter shape does not provide a dependable measurement of pitch, gauge, or drive-link count. Check chain markings and manufacturer information to identify the correct replacement.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, David Hensley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
