Are you stuck trying to determine what size chain you need for a particular project? With all the dozens of different sizes and hundreds of configurations, it's not surprising that you can quickly become confused -- particularly if you don't work with roller chains on a regular basis. Fortunately, the team at PEER Chain has devised this handy guide that will help you figure out how to tell what size chain you have so you can get your project moving again pronto.

Roller Chain Sizes Around the World

As if the various sizes of US-based chains aren't enough, there are also European chain sizes to contend with. In general, American standard chains have better wear resistance due to their smaller pin diameter. Also known as metric roller chains or British Standard sizes, European roller chains are named differently than those in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), but production methods and requirements are similar. If you are measuring your current roller chains and you aren't finding a comparable ANSI size, you might actually have a British Standard-sized chain.

How to Tell What Size Chain You Have

Roller chains are precisely sized to ensure they will work universally across applications, which is why you will need to measure multiple chain components before you can tell what size chain you have. You'll be looking at a few different components of your roller chains, including the pin link plate, roller link plate, roller, pin and bushing. Measuring your roller chain starts with determining the below dimensions:

• The distance from the center of one pin to the center of the next pin, also known as the "pitch" of the roller chain.
• The diameter and width of the roller.
• Plate thickness, determined by measuring the plates from one flat side to another.
• Plate height is the dimension from the bottom to the top of the plate.
• Capture and record the pin length as well as the outside diameter of the pin.

Matching these measurements to the ANSI standard roller chain sizes on the PEER Chain website will help you determine exactly which chain you will need for your project. If you have attachments, you can quickly sketch them or take a picture and email the information to the knowledgeable chain experts at PEER Chain at [email protected].

Still struggling to figure out what size chain you have? The experts at PEER Chain are always ready, willing and eager to help! Contact our friendly professionals at 800-523-4567 or via email to [email protected] with details about the chain and accessories that you need or with information about your project. We take pride in providing the best possible customer service and will always look for ways to ensure that you have the chains and parts that you need to keep your project on track and be successful. You can always send a contact request online with the details of your measurements so we will have all the information needed to help you quickly determine the right chain size.