Chainsaw chains
Chainsaw chain size chart: pitch, gauge and drive links
- Updated Oct 25, 2026
- 5 sources
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Quick answer
A chainsaw chain is sized by three numbers, not by the length of the bar: the pitch, the gauge and the drive link count. Get all three from your old chain and your bar, and the new chain will fit. Get one wrong and it won't sit in the groove or turn on the sprocket.
Common replacement chains:
Oregon S52 (14 in.) Oregon S56 (16 in.) Oregon S62 (18 in.) Husqvarna X-Cut S93GThe three numbers
- Pitch is the size of the chain: the distance between any three rivets in a row, divided by two. It has to match the drive sprocket (and the nose sprocket, if your bar has one).
- Gauge is the thickness of the drive links that ride in the bar groove. It has to match the groove. Oregon sells .043, .050, .058 and .063 in.
- Drive link count is the chain's length. STIHL stamps the count each bar needs on the tail of the bar.
More on the first two in pitch vs gauge.
Oregon's code chart
Oregon says the most reliable way to get pitch and gauge is the number stamped on a drive link of your old chain, because gauge is hard to measure on a worn chain.
| Pitch | .043 in. | .050 in. | .058 in. | .063 in. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in. | 25 | |||
| 3/8 in. Low Profile | 90 | 91 | ||
| .325 in. | 20, 95 | 21 | 22 | |
| 3/8 in. | 72 | 73 | 75 | |
| .404 in. | 27, 59, 68 |
So a drive link stamped 91 is 3/8 in. Low Profile, .050 in. gauge. Stamped 72 is full 3/8 in., .050 in.
STIHL chains are marked differently
STIHL's guide says the pitch is stamped on each depth gauge (the small hump in front of each cutter), and the last digit of the gauge in millimeters is stamped on every drive link: 1 for .043 in. (1.1 mm), 3 for .050 in. (1.3 mm), 5 for .058 in. (1.5 mm) and 6 for .063 in. (1.6 mm). The drive link count is stamped on the tail of the bar.
Popular chains and their numbers
| Chain | Pitch | Gauge | Drive links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon S52 (sold for 14 in. bars) | 3/8 in. Low Profile | .050 in. | 52 |
| Oregon S56 (sold for 16 in. bars) | 3/8 in. Low Profile | .050 in. | 56 |
| Oregon S62 (sold for 18 in. bars) | 3/8 in. Low Profile | .050 in. | 62 |
| Husqvarna X-Cut S93G, 16 in. | 3/8 in. mini | .050 in. | 56 |
These only fit if your old chain has the same pitch, gauge and count. If yours is different, use your own three numbers to search.
Don't shop by inches alone: two saws with 16 in. bars can need different chains. A chain with the wrong count won't tension, and the wrong pitch or gauge can jump off the bar, which Husqvarna lists as one of the main reasons chains come off.
Next steps
- How to tell what size chainsaw chain you need
- Chainsaw chain keeps coming off? Six checks
- Chainsaw chain pitch vs gauge
How we work: codes, sizes and steps on this page come from Oregon, STIHL and Husqvarna guides and product pages, listed below. We have not tested these chains ourselves.
Questions people ask
How do I know what size chainsaw chain to buy?
You need three numbers: pitch, gauge and drive link count. Oregon says to order by the number stamped on a drive link of your old chain, which gives pitch and gauge. Then count the drive links, or read the count stamped on the tail of the bar.
Is a 16-inch chain the same on every 16-inch saw?
No. Bar length is only a rough guide. Two 16-inch bars can need different pitches, gauges or drive link counts, so match all three numbers instead of the inches.
What does the number 91 on a chain mean?
On Oregon chain, 91 means 3/8 in. Low Profile pitch and .050 in. gauge. 72 means 3/8 in. and .050 in., and 20 means .325 in. and .050 in.
Can I put a .058 chain on a .050 bar?
No. Oregon and STIHL both say the gauge has to match the bar groove. A thicker drive link won't fit the groove, and a thinner one rides loose in it.
Sources
Last checked Oct 25, 2026. Sizes, stamp codes and tension steps come from Oregon, STIHL and Husqvarna guides and product pages. Turn the saw off (or remove the battery) and wear gloves before you touch the chain.
