BSP VS NPT

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British Standard Pipe (BSP)

It is a set of technical standards for screw threads that has been adopted internationally for interconnecting and sealing pipes and fittings. BSP thread form stands for British Standard Pipe and is common in Australia and the commonwealth countries. It is based on trade size rather than actual diameter. 

There are two types of BSP threads;
- Parallel (BSPP) - also known as G
- Tapered (BSPT) - also know as R

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It has been adopted as standard in plumbing and pipe fitting, except in North America, where NPT and related threads are used.

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American National Standard Pipe Thread

NPT stands for National Pipe Thread and is an American standard thread. It may also be referred to as

-MPT , MNPT or NPT (M) for male external threads

-FPT, FNPT or NPT(F) for female internal threads.

It is also based on Trade Size rather than actual diameter (similar to BSP in this regard).

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The difference between NPT vs. BSP threads has more to do with where you live than their applications. Both NPT and BSP are pipe thread standards for screw threads used on pipes and pipe fittings to seal pipes.

BSP – UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (most countries worldwide)

NPT – United States, Canada

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The designs of the threads differ in two fundamental ways. With NPT, the peaks and valleys of the threads are flat. In BSP, they are rounded.

Secondly, the NPT angle of the thread is 60 degrees and the BSP angle is 55 degrees.

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These two sealing systems are not  better than each other. Each thread works effectively in spite of the two different designs.

In fact, the use and application of either thread has been dependent on the place where it’s manufactured.

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