Roller Chain Size Chart: Choose the Correct Chain Type

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Wrong chains break.

Wrong chains break. This is bad. You lose time. You lose money. Your machines stop working. This happens to many people. 

Do you use the wrong size chain? Bad things happen:

  • Chains break fast
  • Parts get damaged
  • Work stops
  • Money is lost
roller chain size chart B

Why This Hurts So Much

When chains break, it hurts your business. You might feel:

  • Worried about fixing machines
  • Upset about lost time
  • Mad about wasted money
  • Stressed about missed work

One farm lost $12,000 each year from using the wrong chains!  The wrong chain is like wearing shoes that don’t fit – it just won’t work right.

We Can Fix This Problem

We make good chains at our factory. We have the right size for you. Our chains:

  • Last longer
  • Work better
  • Save money
  • Keep machines running

A food plant fixed their problems with our chains. They had 40% less downtime!

Understanding Roller Chain Sizes

Let’s look at chain sizes. This will help you pick the right one.

ANSI vs. ISO Chains

There are two main types of chains:

  1. ANSI chains (American)
  2. ISO chains (International)

Here’s how they match up:

Chain SizePitchRoller SizeHow StrongWhat It’s For
ANSI #250.250″0.130″1,400 lbfSmall machines
ANSI #400.500″0.306″3,800 lbfBikes, conveyors
ANSI #500.625″0.400″6,100 lbfBig machines
ISO 08B12.7mm7.75mm17.8 kNRobots
ISO 10B15.88mm10.16mm22.7 kNCars, elevators

ANSI #40 is the most used chain in the US. It makes up 48% of all sales!

roller chain size chart D

How to Read a Chain Size Chart

Measuring matters. Here’s how to find your chain size:

Step 1: Check the Pitch

Pitch is how far apart the pins are. Use a ruler to measure from the middle of one pin to the middle of the next pin.

Step 2: Look at the Width

The width is how wide the chain is. This needs to match your sprockets.

Step 3: Check the Roller Size

The roller is the round part that touches the sprocket. Its size must match.

Step 4: Match It Up

Once you have these numbers, use our chart to find your chain.

Why Chains Fail

Chains break for many reasons:

What Goes WrongHow OftenWhat It DoesHow to Fix It
Wrong Size32%Fast wearUse size charts
Too Stretched28%Chain skipsReplace at 3% stretch
Not Lined Up22%Uneven wearLine up sprockets
Not Oiled18%Rust, wearUse chain oil

Wrong sizing is the #1 problem! That’s why our size charts are so helpful.

Picking the Right Chain

Here’s how to pick the best chain for your job:

  • Small jobs → Use #25 or #35 chain
  • Medium jobs → Use #40 chain (most common)
  • Big jobs → Use #50 or bigger chain
  • Special jobs → Ask us for help

Check out our full roller chain selection for all options.

Real Stories of Chain Success

When people use the right chain, good things happen:

  1. A food plant switched to ISO 10B chains. They had 40% less downtime and chains lasted twice as long!

  2. A bike shop moved from #35 to #40 chains. They had 25% fewer problems.

  3. Farms using #60 chains instead of #50 saved $12,000 each year.

Our transmission chain options can help you too!

The Market for Chains

Chains are big business:

  • The world spends $4.2 billion on roller chains each year 
  • ANSI #40 is the most popular size (48% of all sales)
  • ISO chains are growing fast (12% more each year)
  • Heavy chains (#50 and up) make up 65% of industrial use

This shows how important it is to get the right chain.

roller chain size chart C

How to Measure Your Chain

You need the right tools to check your chain:

  • Digital Caliper – Measures size parts
  • Chain Wear Gauge – Checks for stretch
  • Ruler – Measures pitch (pin to pin)

If your chain has stretched 3% or more, it’s time to replace it!

Why Choose Our Chains

We make great chains because:

  1. We use good materials
  2. We have strict quality control
  3. We make chains to exact standards
  4. We can customize for your needs
  5. We offer wholesale prices

Our chain drive solutions are trusted worldwide.

What Makes Our Factory Special

We are not just another chain maker. We:

  • Make chains for 40+ years
  • Ship to 50+ countries
  • Test 100% of our chains
  • Offer OEM services
  • Give wholesale prices

How to Order the Right Chain

Getting the right chain is easy:

  1. Measure your current chain
  2. Check our size chart
  3. Contact us with your needs
  4. Get a fast quote
  5. Receive your perfect chain

Free Help and Tools

We offer helpful extras:

  • Free size chart PDF
  • Chain wear guides
  • Technical support
  • Custom solutions
roller chain size chart E

Take Action Now

Don’t risk more broken chains. Don’t lose more time and money.

Contact us today to get the right chains for your needs.

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