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What information is needed to quote steel pipes and tubes?
Last reviewed:
Short answer
For round pipes: outside diameter in millimetres, wall thickness and length. For square and rectangular tubes: outside dimensions, wall thickness and length. Add grade, finish (black or galvanized) and quantity. Avoid giving only an inch size — nominal size is not the actual outside diameter.
Outside diameter vs nominal size
A nominal size (such as a “2-inch pipe”) is a trade name for the size; the actual outside diameter is a different number. Give the outside diameter in millimetres together with wall thickness to avoid misunderstanding.
Square and rectangular hollow sections
They are written as width × height × wall thickness (e.g. 100 × 50 × 3 mm). Structural hollow sections are produced to standards such as EN 10219 (cold-formed) or EN 10210 (hot-finished).
Checklist
- Shape: round, square or rectangular
- Outside diameter or outside dimensions
- Wall thickness
- Length
- Grade and standard
- Finish: black or galvanized
- Quantity in tonnes or pieces
General guidance — not an offer or commitment by BUILDORA.