Chainsaw Chain Selector: Pitch, Gauge and Drive Link Chart
Three numbers order a chain: pitch, gauge, drive links. All three are normally stamped on the guide bar near the mounting slot, in that order. Bar length on its own is never enough.
1. Pitch
| Pitch | Metric | Common marking | Typical machine class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4" | 6.35 mm | 1/4, 1/4P | Top-handle, carving and compact saws |
| 3/8" low profile | 9.32 mm | 3/8LP, 3/8P, 91 | Homeowner petrol, electric and battery saws |
| 0.325" | 8.25 mm | .325 | Mid-size 45–55 cc saws |
| 3/8" standard | 9.52 mm | 3/8 | Professional 55–90 cc saws |
| 0.404" | 10.26 mm | .404 | Large-displacement and harvester saws |
2. Gauge
| Gauge | Metric | Coin that fits the bar groove | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.043" | 1.1 mm | US dime (about 0.043") | Narrow-kerf, battery and lightweight bars |
| 0.050" | 1.3 mm | US penny (about 0.050") | The most common homeowner gauge |
| 0.058" | 1.5 mm | US quarter (about 0.058") | Mid to heavy-duty bars |
| 0.063" | 1.6 mm | — | Professional and long-bar work |
Clean packed sawdust out of the groove before testing, or every coin will feel tight.
3. Reading the bar stamp
| Example stamp | Reads as |
|---|---|
3/8"P 1.3 mm 50 |
3/8" low profile pitch, 0.050" gauge, 50 drive links |
.325 .058 72DL |
0.325" pitch, 0.058" gauge, 72 drive links |
3/8 1.6 84 |
3/8" standard pitch, 0.063" gauge, 84 drive links |
1/4 1.1 64 |
1/4" pitch, 0.043" gauge, 64 drive links |
If the stamp is painted over or worn off, wire-brush it before assuming it is not there.
4. Drive-link count sanity ranges
Drive-link count is set by the bar design as well as its length, so two bars of the same nominal length can differ. Use these ranges only to catch a transcription error — never to place an order.
| Bar length | Usual drive-link range | Most common pitches at that length |
|---|---|---|
| 10" – 12" | roughly 39 – 45 | 1/4", 3/8" LP |
| 14" | roughly 48 – 53 | 3/8" LP, 1/4" |
| 16" | roughly 54 – 60 | 3/8" LP, 0.325" |
| 18" | roughly 62 – 72 | 3/8" LP, 0.325", 3/8" |
| 20" | roughly 70 – 78 | 0.325", 3/8" |
| 24" | roughly 81 – 91 | 3/8", 0.404" |
5. Cutter type
| Cutter | Corner shape | Best in | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full chisel | Square | Clean, softwood felling and bucking | Dulls fast in dirt or frozen wood |
| Semi chisel | Rounded | Dirty, dry, frozen or storm-damaged wood | Slightly slower cut when new |
| Low-kickback / safety | Rounded plus guard links | Homeowner use, limbing | Slower, more resistance to bore cuts |
| Ripping | Shallow angle | Milling boards along the grain | Poor at crosscutting |
6. Method note
Pitch, gauge and drive-link count are open industry dimensions, which is why correctly specified aftermarket chain fits OEM bars. What varies is which combination a given machine shipped with, and manufacturers change that between production runs and bar suppliers. That is why this chart is built around measuring the bar in front of you rather than around a model-name lookup. Where a model-specific list and the bar stamp disagree, the bar stamp wins.
7. Frequently asked
How do I measure chainsaw chain pitch?
Measure the distance between the centres of any three consecutive rivets and divide by two. The result will be 1/4", 0.325", 3/8" or 0.404". Pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the bar nose sprocket.
What is chainsaw chain gauge?
Gauge is the thickness of the drive link tang that rides inside the guide bar groove: 0.043" (1.1 mm), 0.050" (1.3 mm), 0.058" (1.5 mm) or 0.063" (1.6 mm). Clean the groove, then test with a coin: a US dime is close to 0.043", a penny to 0.050" and a quarter to 0.058".
Is 3/8 inch low profile the same as 3/8 inch chain?
No. They share the nominal pitch figure but use different cutter and drive link geometry, and low profile chain runs on a low profile sprocket. Fitting one in place of the other causes the chain to ride wrong in the groove.
How do I count drive links?
Lay the chain flat, mark one drive link with a paint pen and count the tangs on the underside all the way around back to the mark. Count drive links, not cutters. Cutters are roughly half the number and mixing them up is the most common ordering error.
Can I fit a longer bar to my saw?
Only within the powerhead rating in your manual. An over-length bar bogs the engine, loads the clutch and increases kickback risk.
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Related reading: how to read your bar.
Aftermarket and OEM-compatible parts. PatioZora is not affiliated with or endorsed by the brands named on this page; brand names are used to indicate fitment only. Figures on this page are published reference standards and general guidance — always confirm against the stamp, plate or manual on your own equipment.