90° Short Radius Elbow Dimensions
A short radius 90° elbow turns on a centerline radius equal to the nominal pipe diameter, a full third tighter than dat long radius version. It's out there for just one reason: to make dat turn where a long radius elbow just ain't gonna fit.
The trade y'all are makin'.
The tighter turn costs pressure drop and concentrates wall erosion on the outside of the bend. In clean, moderate-velocity service dat is usually acceptable. In slurry, catalyst, or high-velocity gas lines it can shorten the life of the fittin' noticeably, so most specs restrict short radius to where clearance genuinely demands it.
Where it earns its keep.
Congested pump manifolds, compact skid packages, tight vessel nozzle turns, and retrofit tie-ins inside existin' steel. The center-to-end equals the nominal size, so a 6" short radius elbow turns in 6" instead of 9".
How To Read Dese Dimensions
Short radius elbows ain't in ASME B16.9. They're covered over in ASME B16.28, that companion standard for short radius buttweldin' elbows and returns, and that's exactly where the 1.0D radius and the center-to-end C below come from. It runs NPS 1/2 clear through NPS 24, so once you get past 24 inch, a short radius turn turns into a fabricated or special item, yessir.
- O.D.
- Outside diameterOutside diameter at the weldin' end, matchin' up perfect with the pipe it welds to.
- I.D.
- Inside diameterBore right through the fitting, set by dat wall thickness.
- T
- Wall thicknessNominal wall at the weldin' end, matched to the pipe schedule.
- C
- Center to endFrom the intersection of the centerlines to the welding face. On a short radius 90 it equals the nominal size, so a 6 inch elbow turns in 6 inches 'stead of 9.
109 sizes across 6 schedules · dimensions in inches, weights in pounds · ASME B16.28
Schedule STD
| Nom. Pipe Size | Outside Diameter O.D. | Inside Diameter I.D. | Wall Thickness T | Center to End C | Pipe Schedule Number | Approx. Weight in Pounds Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.32 | 1.049 | 0.133 | 1.00 | 40 | 0.30 |
| 1¼ | 1.66 | 1.380 | 0.140 | 1.25 | 40 | 0.40 |
| 1½ | 1.90 | 1.610 | 0.145 | 1.50 | 40 | 0.50 |
| 2 | 2.38 | 2.067 | 0.154 | 2.00 | 40 | 1.00 |
| 2½ | 2.88 | 2.469 | 0.203 | 2.50 | 40 | 2.00 |
| 3 | 3.50 | 3.068 | 0.216 | 3.00 | 40 | 3.00 |
| 3½ | 4.00 | 3.548 | 0.226 | 3.50 | 40 | 4.30 |
| 4 | 4.50 | 4.026 | 0.237 | 4.00 | 40 | 6.10 |
| 5 | 5.56 | 5.047 | 0.258 | 5.00 | 40 | 9.70 |
| 6 | 6.62 | 6.065 | 0.280 | 6.00 | 40 | 16.70 |
| 8 | 8.62 | 7.981 | 0.322 | 8.00 | 40 | 32.40 |
| 10 | 10.75 | 10.020 | 0.365 | 10.00 | 40 | 56.30 |
| 12 | 12.75 | 12.000 | 0.375 | 12.00 | * | 79.40 |
| 14 | 14.00 | 13.250 | 0.375 | 14.00 | 30 | 104.00 |
| 16 | 16.00 | 15.250 | 0.375 | 16.00 | 30 | 129.00 |
| 18 | 18.00 | 17.250 | 0.375 | 18.00 | * | 163.00 |
| 20 | 20.00 | 19.250 | 0.375 | 20.00 | 20 | 210.00 |
| 24 | 24.00 | 23.250 | 0.375 | 24.00 | 20 | 297.00 |
| 30 | 30.00 | 29.250 | 0.375 | 30.00 | * | 470.00 |
| 36 | 36.00 | 35.250 | 0.375 | 36.00 | * | 692.00 |
| 42 | 42.00 | 41.250 | 0.375 | 42.00 | * | 967.00 |
| 48 | 48.00 | 47.250 | 0.375 | 48.00 | * | 1340.00 |
Schedule XS
| Nom. Pipe Size | Outside Diameter O.D. | Inside Diameter I.D. | Wall Thickness T | Center to End C | Pipe Schedule Number | Approx. Weight in Pounds Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.32 | 0.962 | 0.179 | 1.00 | 80 | 0.30 |
| 1¼ | 1.66 | 1.278 | 0.191 | 1.25 | 80 | 0.60 |
| 1½ | 1.90 | 1.500 | 0.200 | 1.50 | 80 | 0.80 |
| 2 | 2.38 | 1.939 | 0.218 | 2.00 | 80 | 1.50 |
| 2½ | 2.88 | 2.323 | 0.276 | 2.50 | 80 | 2.60 |
| 3 | 3.50 | 2.900 | 0.300 | 3.00 | 80 | 3.80 |
| 3½ | 4.00 | 3.364 | 0.318 | 3.50 | 80 | 5.40 |
| 4 | 4.50 | 3.826 | 0.337 | 4.00 | 80 | 7.60 |
| 5 | 5.56 | 4.813 | 0.375 | 5.00 | 80 | 13.80 |
| 6 | 6.62 | 5.761 | 0.432 | 6.00 | 80 | 22.80 |
| 8 | 8.62 | 7.625 | 0.500 | 8.00 | 80 | 47.30 |
| 10 | 10.75 | 9.750 | 0.500 | 10.00 | 60 | 71.00 |
| 12 | 12.75 | 11.750 | 0.500 | 12.00 | * | 104.00 |
| 14 | 14.00 | 13.000 | 0.500 | 14.00 | * | 137.00 |
| 16 | 16.00 | 15.000 | 0.500 | 16.00 | 40 | 171.00 |
| 18 | 18.00 | 17.000 | 0.500 | 18.00 | * | 214.00 |
| 20 | 20.00 | 19.000 | 0.500 | 20.00 | 30 | 277.00 |
| 24 | 24.00 | 23.000 | 0.500 | 24.00 | * | 390.00 |
| 30 | 30.00 | 29.000 | 0.500 | 30.00 | 20 | 632.70 |
| 36 | 36.00 | 35.000 | 0.500 | 36.00 | 20 | 913.00 |
| 42 | 42.00 | 41.000 | 0.500 | 42.00 | * | 1300.00 |
| 48 | 48.00 | 47.000 | 0.500 | 48.00 | * | 1675.00 |
Schedule 40
| Nom. Pipe Size | Outside Diameter O.D. | Inside Diameter I.D. | Wall Thickness T | Center to End C | Pipe Schedule Number | Approx. Weight in Pounds Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.32 | 1.054 | 0.133 | 1.00 | 40 | 0.30 |
| 1¼ | 1.66 | 1.380 | 0.140 | 1.25 | 40 | 0.40 |
| 1½ | 1.90 | 1.610 | 0.145 | 1.50 | 40 | 0.50 |
| 2 | 2.38 | 2.072 | 0.154 | 2.00 | 40 | 1.00 |
| 2½ | 2.88 | 2.474 | 0.203 | 2.50 | 40 | 2.00 |
| 3 | 3.50 | 3.068 | 0.216 | 3.00 | 40 | 3.00 |
| 3½ | 4.00 | 3.548 | 0.226 | 3.50 | 40 | 4.30 |
| 4 | 4.50 | 4.026 | 0.237 | 4.00 | 40 | 6.10 |
| 5 | 5.56 | 5.044 | 0.258 | 5.00 | 40 | 9.70 |
| 6 | 6.62 | 6.060 | 0.280 | 6.00 | 40 | 16.70 |
| 8 | 8.62 | 7.976 | 0.322 | 8.00 | 40 | 32.40 |
| 10 | 10.75 | 10.020 | 0.365 | 10.00 | 40 | 56.30 |
| 12 | 12.75 | 11.938 | 0.406 | 12.00 | 40 | 80.00 |
| 14 | 14.00 | 13.124 | 0.438 | 14.00 | 40 | 105.00 |
| 16 | 16.00 | 15.000 | 0.500 | 16.00 | 40 | 130.00 |
| 18 | 18.00 | 16.876 | 0.562 | 18.00 | 40 | 165.00 |
| 20 | 20.00 | 18.812 | 0.594 | 20.00 | 40 | 215.00 |
| 24 | 24.00 | 22.624 | 0.688 | 24.00 | 40 | 300.00 |
Schedule 80
| Nom. Pipe Size | Outside Diameter O.D. | Inside Diameter I.D. | Wall Thickness T | Center to End C | Pipe Schedule Number | Approx. Weight in Pounds Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.32 | 0.962 | 0.179 | 1.00 | 80 | 0.30 |
| 1¼ | 1.66 | 1.278 | 0.191 | 1.25 | 80 | 0.60 |
| 1½ | 1.90 | 1.500 | 0.200 | 1.50 | 80 | 0.80 |
| 2 | 2.38 | 1.944 | 0.218 | 2.00 | 80 | 1.50 |
| 2½ | 2.88 | 2.328 | 0.276 | 2.50 | 80 | 2.60 |
| 3 | 3.50 | 2.900 | 0.300 | 3.00 | 80 | 3.80 |
| 3½ | 4.00 | 3.364 | 0.318 | 3.50 | 80 | 5.40 |
| 4 | 4.50 | 3.826 | 0.337 | 4.00 | 80 | 7.60 |
| 5 | 5.56 | 4.810 | 0.375 | 5.00 | 80 | 13.80 |
| 6 | 6.62 | 5.756 | 0.432 | 6.00 | 80 | 22.80 |
| 8 | 8.62 | 7.620 | 0.500 | 8.00 | 80 | 47.30 |
| 10 | 10.75 | 9.562 | 0.594 | 10.00 | 80 | 75.00 |
| 12 | 12.75 | 11.374 | 0.688 | 12.00 | 80 | 105.00 |
| 14 | 14.00 | 12.500 | 0.750 | 14.00 | 80 | 140.00 |
| 16 | 16.00 | 14.312 | 0.844 | 16.00 | 80 | 175.00 |
| 18 | 18.00 | 16.124 | 0.938 | 18.00 | 80 | 215.00 |
| 20 | 20.00 | 17.938 | 1.031 | 20.00 | 80 | 280.00 |
| 24 | 24.00 | 21.562 | 1.219 | 24.00 | 80 | 400.00 |
Schedule 160
| Nom. Pipe Size | Outside Diameter O.D. | Inside Diameter I.D. | Wall Thickness T | Center to End C | Pipe Schedule Number | Approx. Weight in Pounds Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.32 | 0.820 | 0.250 | 1.00 | 160 | 0.50 |
| 1¼ | 1.66 | 1.160 | 0.250 | 1.25 | 160 | 0.90 |
| 1½ | 1.90 | 1.338 | 0.281 | 1.50 | 160 | 1.50 |
| 2 | 2.38 | 1.692 | 0.344 | 2.00 | 160 | 2.90 |
| 2½ | 2.88 | 2.130 | 0.375 | 2.50 | 160 | 5.50 |
| 3 | 3.50 | 2.624 | 0.438 | 3.00 | 160 | 9.80 |
| 4 | 4.50 | 3.438 | 0.531 | 4.00 | 160 | 20.00 |
| 5 | 5.56 | 4.310 | 0.625 | 5.00 | 160 | 30.00 |
| 6 | 6.62 | 5.182 | 0.719 | 6.00 | 160 | 60.00 |
| 8 | 8.62 | 6.808 | 0.906 | 8.00 | 160 | 125.00 |
| 10 | 10.75 | 8.500 | 1.125 | 10.00 | 160 | 258.00 |
| 12 | 12.75 | 10.126 | 1.312 | 12.00 | 160 | 455.00 |
| 14 | 14.00 | 11.188 | 1.406 | 14.00 | 160 | 550.00 |
| 16 | 16.00 | 12.812 | 1.594 | 16.00 | 160 | 800.00 |
| 18 | 18.00 | 14.438 | 1.781 | 18.00 | 160 | 1025.00 |
| 20 | 20.00 | 16.062 | 1.969 | 20.00 | 160 | 1295.00 |
| 24 | 24.00 | 19.312 | 2.344 | 24.00 | 160 | 1450.00 |
Schedule XXS
| Nom. Pipe Size | Outside Diameter O.D. | Inside Diameter I.D. | Wall Thickness T | Center to End C | Pipe Schedule Number | Approx. Weight in Pounds Lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.32 | 0.604 | 0.358 | 1.00 | * | 0.65 |
| 1¼ | 1.66 | 0.896 | 0.382 | 1.25 | * | 1.30 |
| 1½ | 1.90 | 1.100 | 0.400 | 1.50 | * | 1.70 |
| 2 | 2.38 | 1.508 | 0.436 | 2.00 | * | 3.20 |
| 2½ | 2.88 | 1.776 | 0.552 | 2.50 | * | 6.10 |
| 3 | 3.50 | 2.300 | 0.600 | 3.00 | * | 11.00 |
| 4 | 4.50 | 3.152 | 0.674 | 4.00 | * | 22.00 |
| 5 | 5.56 | 4.060 | 0.750 | 5.00 | * | 35.00 |
| 6 | 6.62 | 4.892 | 0.864 | 6.00 | * | 60.00 |
| 8 | 8.62 | 6.870 | 0.875 | 8.00 | * | 123.00 |
| 10 | 10.75 | 8.750 | 1.000 | 10.00 | 140 | 225.00 |
| 12 | 12.75 | 10.750 | 1.000 | 12.00 | 120 | 365.00 |
Materials We Supply
90° Short Radius Elbow to ASME B16.28 in the grades below. Tell us the service and we'll confirm the right one for y'all.
| Material | Specification | Typical Service |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | ASTM A234 WPB / WPC | General process, steam, oil and gas gathering and utility lines |
| Low-Temp Carbon Steel | ASTM A420 WPL6 | Cold service to −50°F; LNG and northern pipeline work |
| Chrome-Moly Alloy | ASTM A234 WP11 / WP22 / WP91 | Elevated temperature; refinery heaters, power plant steam |
| Stainless Steel | ASTM A403 WP304/304L, WP316/316L | Corrosive service, chemical, food and beverage, water treatment |
| Duplex & Super Duplex | ASTM A815 UNS S31803 / S32750 | Chloride and seawater service, offshore, desalination |
Questions Folks Ask Us
When should I use a short radius elbow 'stead of a long radius?
Only when clearance requires it. Short radius turns on a radius equal to the pipe diameter rather than 1.5 times it, which saves space but raises pressure drop and concentrates erosion on the outside of the bend. Most pipin' specs treat it as the exception, I reckon.
Is a short radius elbow weaker than a long radius elbow?
Not in pressure ratin'. Both are rated on wall thickness and material rather than on bend radius, even though the dimensions come from two different standards: B16.28 for short radius and B16.9 for long. The practical difference is flow, 'cause dat tighter turn creates more turbulence, so in abrasive or high-velocity service the outside of the bend wears faster, I tell you what.
What's dat center-to-end of a short radius elbow?
It equals the nominal pipe size. A 4" short radius 90° elbow measures 4" from centerline intersection to face, against 6" for the long radius equivalent, yessir.
