
The proper way for how to measure a chainsaw chain length is as follows:
- Count the drive links — Count the individual links on the chain one by one.
- Measure the pitch — This is the distance between each drive link. Measure the length between any three rivets. ...
- Measure the gauge — This is the width of the groove on the chain that fits on the bar. Common gauges include .043″, .050″, .058″, and .063″. ...
How to determine the length of chain for a chainsaw?
To determine the chain gauge, you can use this simple trick:
- Find a quarter, a dime, and a penny
- Use a flat blade screwdriver or bar cleaning tool and clean as much debris out of the bar's groove as you can
- Slide each coin into the chainsaw bar groove
- Determine which one fits into the bar groove snugly without being forced
- Use the image below to determine the gauge
What size chainsaw do I Need?
How Do I Choose a Chainsaw Chain Size?
- Measure Chainsaw Bar. Determining the length when asking, “What size chainsaw do I need?” is simple, as long as you have a tape measure.
- Think About Daily Tasks. The second step to figuring out the perfect chainsaw size for your property is to think about the work you typically do.
- Consider Your Experience. ...
- 4. ...
How to shorten the chain on a chainsaw?
- Put the chain breaking tool in one line with this link, and, in addition to this, you have to line the push arm with the pine on one of the ...
- After you have taken away all the needed links, you should put the master link into the rivet tool. ...
- After all these manipulations your chain gets shortened enough and you can continue using it.
How to start a chainsaw without a pull cord?
There are four different ways to start a chainsaw easier or without pulling the cord:
- you can also start your chainsaw with a drill
- Spring-assisted starting system
- Capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) or Memory power ignition (MPI)
- Automatic High idle mechanism

How to measure chainsaw chain?
Well, you’re in luck, here’s how to measure a chainsaw chain: To measure a chainsaw chain you need to find the pitch, gauge, and link count. This information can be found on the information stamp on the chainsaw bar, through the numbers on the chain, or through measuring your chain manually. That’s how you can size a chain in a nutshell, ...
What do you need to know to know the size of a chainsaw?
As mentioned above, there’s three things you need to know to figure out the size of your chainsaw: pitch, gauge, and link count.
What chainsaw chain brands have a number letter?
The popular chainsaw chain brands of Carlton, Husqvarna, and Oregon stamp their brand and a number letter combination onto their chains.
What happens if you put too long chainsaw chain?
If it’s too long, you won’t be able to tension your chain properly which could cause your chain to slip out of the bar track which is a bad day for everybody. Now that you know the right vocabulary, let’s dig into how to measure a chainsaw chain.
Why is pitch important when looking for a chainsaw?
Pitch is an important factor when looking for a chain because it can change the way your saw cuts.
How to tell gauge?
The gauge is indicated by the symbol of a bar track. If you look to the left of the number labeled “gauge” in the image above, you’ll see what I mean.
What is link count?
As the name suggests, link count describes the number of drive links in your chain.
How long can a gas chainsaw chain be?
Some gas chainsaws, on the other hand, can go up to a whopping 72 inches in bar length because they have the beefy engines to handle it. Another thing to keep in mind is that chainsaw chains don’t stretch. Each one is designed to fit on a certain size bar. For example, if the chain is too short or too wide for the blade, it won’t fit.
What is the effective cutting length of a chainsaw?
The effective cutting length is the span of the bar from the tip of the blade to the base of the where it’s attached to the chainsaw.
Where is the chainsaw bar stamped?
Your current chainsaw bar is likely to have all of the measurements you need for a chain replacement stamped right on the blade itself.
How to measure drive link pitch?
Measure the pitch — This is the distance between each drive link. Measure the length between any three rivets. The rivets are what hold the drive links together. Then divide by 2 to get the pitch. Common pitch sizes include 1/4″, .325″, 3/8″, and .404″.
How much does a bar chain cost?
A new bar or chain can cost around $20 to $50 each (or $40 to $100 in total).
How to tell gauge of bar?
Try to slide each coin into the groove of the blade. Whichever one fits snugly without force will tell you the gauge of the bar.
Where is the bolt on a chainsaw?
These bolts are located on the right side of the chainsaw body just past the base of the bar. Once the chainsaw blade is removed, lay it flat on the ground (or table). Then, measure the distance from end to end and don’t round up. Since this is the true length of the blade, there’s no need to adjust the measurement.
How to tell the pitch of a chainsaw chain?
Pitch tells about the space between the chain’s drive links. You will have to use the tape measure precisely to obtain the right measurement of the pitch when replacing the chain of your chainsaw. To come up with the right size, just count three rivets on your chain and determine the distance between these rivets starting from the middle points. Divide it into two to obtain your size.
What is the gauge size on a chainsaw?
The gauge size is measured through inches and it is normally found on the chainsaw or the instruction manual. If you choose the wrong gauge size, you might find it too thick that it will not suit your chainsaw or it can be too loose to acquire good traction.
How to tell if a chain is riveted?
You can identify the rivets as they are those tiny round spots seen on the side of your chain. The rivets are the ones that hold together the chain.
What is chain gauge?
Chain gauges, also known as thickness, are a bit constraining. However, the old hands have an impressive hack of utilizing a spare change in determining the groove’s width.
Where are drive links on a chain?
You can easily identify the drive links since they are the triangular extensions that are seen on the lower side of the chain that holds it connected to the bar.
Is it hard to measure chainsaw chains?
Learning how to measure chainsaw chains is not very hard. This is even more manageable if you were able to keep the instruction manual since you will most likely find the values in the manual. Thus, you may not need to conduct any measuring if that is the case.
Do you have to check the chainsaw instruction manual?
Do not forget to check the chainsaw as well as the instruction manual to verify the measurements, since these are commonly seen in either of these places.
How to determine chainsaw chain length?
This is because the overall length of chainsaw chains is determined by a combination of pitch (distance between links) and the number of drive links . This is the most accurate way for chain manufacturers ...
What is pitch on chainsaw?
Pitch = the distance between any 3 rivets on the chain, divided by half. (see picture below) Yes, that's kind of a complicated measurement, but luckily, most chainsaws display this measurement somewhere on the tool or in the user manual. Chainsaw chains are available in the following pitch sizes, measured in inches:
Why is it important to replace a chainsaw chain?
When it's time to replace a chain, it is especially important to have all the right information regarding the chainsaw and its chain size.
What is self sharpening chainsaw?
Self-sharpening chainsaw chains have design features that keep teeth filed as the chain passes around the guide bar. Sharpening is probably the biggest maintenance hassle that chainsaw users face, and is usually best done by a shop. Using a self-sharpening chain can help space those trips to the chainsaw shop further apart.
Why is it important to know the vibration rating of a chainsaw?
This is important because long term use of vibrating tools like chainsaws can cause serious health concerns to the hands (like pain, numbness, burning sensation, etc.)
Why are low kickback chains slower than more aggressive chains?
Because low-kickback chains often limit the amount of material being cut, the cutting goes a little slower than with more aggressive chains, however, low-kickback chains require less power for cutting, because they often have narrow kerfs.
How to narrow the search results to only chains?
To narrow the search results to list only chains whose pitch number match the chain you're looking for, simply click the correct pitch measurement in the "Narrow Listings By:" box. When you do, the page will automatically refresh and display only the chains that match the selected pitch.
How to measure chainsaw bar size?
To determine the chainsaw bar size, simply take a tape measure to measure from the motor housing body, down the length of the bar to the tip of the bar. Then, round up to the next even figure. So if you are looking at a bar that is 18.25 inches long, you’ll round up to a 20-inch replacement bar.
How to find the correct chain size?
The fastest way to get the correct replacement chain size is to find the sizing information that is stamped into the chainsaw bar. Generally, the bar size will be stamped into the bar, near the back where it is mounted to the saw. Depending on the saw, it may be hidden.
How big of a bar should an electric chainsaw be?
You can’t go with a one-size-fits-all approach. An electric chainsaw will generally have a bar under 18 inches and they will be in a narrower gauge. A chainsaw with a more powerful motor can power the chain around a longer bar and will have a heavier gauge saw chain. The same thing goes with chainsaw chains.
What happens if a chainsaw is too short?
If it is too short, it won’t stretch. If it is too long, you can’t create enough tension on it. If the pitch is wrong, the motor sprocket will not engage, and if the gauge is too wide, it won’t slide into your bar. A lumberjack working with a chainsaw. Replacement chains and bars must have the proper sizing for your specific tool.
How many inches of blades do you need for a chainsaw?
Larger chainsaw bars or thicker gauge blades will require more power. Most electric chainsaws are typically smaller and have 12-16 inch blades.
What is the pitch of a chain saw?
Note: The most common chain saw pitches on the market is 3/8″ (.375″, although everyone says 3/8″ instead) or .325″. You are pretty much guaranteed to have one or the other.
What are rivets on a chain?
So the rivets are those little round spots on the side of the chain. They are what hold the chain together. You’ll pick any three, and measure from the center of the first one to the center of the third one.
How to measure chainsaw chain?
Measuring your chainsaw chain is a bit more intensive than measuring the blade bar. Instead of unhooking the chain and using a tape measure to gauge the length, you have to take measurements of the chain pitch and gauge.
How to measure the length of a chainsaw blade?
Measure From the Nose to the Mounting Slot. To measure the cutting bar length, you’ll take the tape measure and start near the bar’s mounting slot where the chain bar meets the chainsaw body. Run the tape measure from the chainsaw body along the length of the bar blade out to the end of the blade nose. This is the length of your chainsaw bar blade ...
What is a chainsaw blade bar?
The Chainsaw Blade Bar. A chainsaw blade bar is the device’s part that holds the chain in place. The blade itself is not the component that does the cutting but rather the part that guides the chain to cut. You can purchase either a standard or carving bar, depending on your use.
How long is a chainsaw bar?
Standard chainsaw bars range between 8 and 24-inches, but to find out the exact length, you might have to get out your tape measure and get the precise measurements yourself. The bar length varies depending on the task required for use and the overall size of the device.
What is the nose on a chainsaw?
The nose (also known as the tip) The nose sprocket. Your chainsaw bar blade may seem lengthy, but when you go to measure it directly, you’ll find that the length you see is not the measurement you’ll get. Instead, you will take the measurement of the cutting length rather than the full device length.
What are the factors to consider when determining the size of a chainsaw chain?
Chain Size. Ultimately, there are two factors to consider when figuring out your chainsaw’s chain size: its length and depth. Both factors determine whether or not the chain is suitable for the device’s size. If the chain is too long, it will not fit tightly enough around the bar.
How to tell gauge of chain?
You can get your chain gauge by comparing the chain’s groove width to either a dime, penny, or quarter. A quarter equals a .063-inch gauge while a penny equals a .058-inch gauge, and a dime measures a .050-inch gauge. Whichever your chain groove looks closest to gives you your estimated gauge.
How to measure chainsaw bar?
To do so, take a tape measure and measure the bar from the front tip to the cutter closest to the main body of the chainsaw.
How long should a chainsaw be for a 14 inch tree?
Lastly, if you plan to cut a tree with a width of 14 inches, you need a chainsaw with a bar length of at least 16 inches or longer.
Why are chainsaws so powerful?
Large chainsaws have more powerful motors since it takes more power and energy to drive the chain around a longer guide bar.
Why is there no need to include the motor in a chainsaw?
There is no reason to include the motor of the chainsaw because the replacement parts are usually for the chain and the guide bar.
Why do you need to know the size of your guide bar?
If you plan to replace your guide bar, you have to know its actual size because if you failed to choose the right size, the chainsaw would not work properly.
How long should a bar be?
For example, if the measurement of the bar is 19.25 inches, the length would be 20 inches, so if you buy a replacement bar, it should be 20 inches.
Why do electric saws have bars?
Electric saws usually use bars that are 18 inches or below because they have a weaker motor compared to larger chainsaws.
Where to find chain measurements on a saw?
Chain measurements may be printed on the right side of the saw's bar or in the saw's user manual.
How to measure chainsaw bar length?
Measure from the tip of the bar to where it enters the body for the cutting length. Start the end of a tape measure where the bar goes inside the main chainsaw body. Extend the tape until you reach the tip of the bar and record your measurement. Round the measurement to the nearest inch to know the cutting length of your bar.
How to remove the bar on a chainsaw?
Take the clutch cover off of the chainsaw to remove the bar. Locate the 2 nuts on the right side of your chainsaw holding the clutch cover in place, and use a wrench to unscrew them. Once you take off the nuts, pull the cover straight off of the chainsaw to expose the rest of the bar.
How to fix a chainsaw that won't start?
1. Unplug the spark plug wire so the chainsaw doesn't start. Set your chainsaw down on a flat surface so the handle is face up. Locate the screws or bolts holding the top cover on the chainsaw's body and use either a screwdriver or wrench to loosen them.
What is a chainsaw bar?
The bar on a chainsaw is the metal part that extends out from the body that the chain wraps around. If you need to determine the size of your chainsaw bar so you can get a replacement, there are easy ways to measure the length. Many measurements refer to either the cutting length, which is how far the bar sticks out, or the true length, ...
What is the standard chainsaw gauge?
The standard gauge sizes are 0.050 inches (1.3 mm), 0.058 inches (1.5 mm), and 0.063 inches (1.6 mm). Your chain gauge may also be 0.043 inches (1.1 mm), but it's not very common.
Why wear gloves when chainsaw chain is sharp?
Wear work gloves to help protect your hands from the chain's teeth since they can be sharp.
