The two most common chainsaw chain pitches are 3/8″ and .325″. Many people assume these are interchangeable because the numbers look similar — they’re not. Using the wrong pitch on your chainsaw is unsafe and will either damage your saw or cause the chain to fail mid-cut. This guide explains the difference and helps you determine which you need.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Specification | .325″ Chain | 3/8″ Chain |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch measurement | 8.25 millimetres | 9.32 millimetres |
| Typical saw size | 40–60cc petrol, mid-range models | 60cc+ petrol, professional models |
| Common saw examples | Stihl MS250–MS261, Husqvarna 445–455, most consumer petrol | Stihl MS362–MS661, Husqvarna 550–560, professional-grade |
| Gauge options | .050″ (standard), .058″ (heavy-duty) | .050″ (standard), .058″–.063″ (professional) |
| Cutting speed | Medium (good balance of speed and control) | Fast (aggressive cutting, higher demands on operator) |
| Kickback risk | Medium (manageable for semi-professional use) | Higher (requires experience and safety awareness) |
| Chain cost per unit | £12–20 (typical aftermarket) | £15–25 (typical aftermarket) |
| Bar nose sprocket | Different sprocket; not compatible with 3/8″ | Different sprocket; not compatible with .325″ |
| Can you convert saws? | Theoretically yes, but not practical or recommended | Theoretically yes, but not practical or recommended |
| Best for | General-purpose cutting, medium timber, semi-professional work | Professional work, large timber, production felling |
Bottom line: They are not interchangeable. Each pitch has its own bar nose sprocket design. Forcing the wrong chain onto your saw will cause mechanical failure.
What Does Chainsaw Chain Pitch Mean?
Pitch is the distance between the center points of consecutive teeth on the chain, measured in inches. Both .325″ and 3/8″ refer to this tooth spacing.
- .325″ = teeth spaced 8.25mm apart
- 3/8″ = teeth spaced 9.32mm apart
This spacing must match the bar’s nose sprocket (the spinning wheel at the end of the bar) and the bar’s tooth groove width. If the spacing is even slightly off, the chain won’t engage properly with the sprocket and will either rattle, slip, or jam.
This is why you cannot simply buy a different pitch chain and expect it to fit — the entire drive mechanism is engineered for one specific pitch.
When to Use .325″ Chain
The .325″ pitch is the most popular choice for semi-professional and domestic petrol chainsaws between 40–60cc.
Best for:
- General-purpose timber cutting (logs, firewood, storm cleanup)
- Small-to-medium felling (trees up to 40–50cm diameter)
- Semi-professional arborists and contractors
- Users who want good speed without excessive kickback risk
- Saws under 60cc engine displacement
Common .325″ saws:
- Stihl: MS250, MS260, MS261
- Husqvarna: 445, 450, 455
- Makita: DCS4610, EA4301F40S
- Echo: CS-370, CS-400
- Most consumer-grade petrol in the 50cc range
Why .325″ for mid-range saws:
The .325″ pitch is a sweet spot. It offers fast cutting speed (faster than 3/8″ LP low-profile chains, slower than full 3/8″) without the extreme kickback and vibration of professional 3/8″ chains. If you’re a tradesperson doing regular work but not production-level felling, .325″ is the standard choice.
Replacement .325″ chains are widely available, affordable, and compatible with the majority of saws sold in the UK market.
When to Use 3/8″ Chain
The 3/8″ pitch is for professional-grade chainsaws 60cc and above. It’s aggressive, fast, and demands respect.
Best for:
- Production felling and bucking (professional arborists, foresters)
- Large-diameter timber (cutting through logs 60cm+)
- Saws with 60cc+ engine displacement
- Users with experience and skill in handling high-kickback tools
- Commercial timber operations
Common 3/8″ full-profile saws:
- Stihl: MS362, MS400, MS500i, MS661
- Husqvarna: 550, 555, 560, 570, 590
- Makita: EA7001PR, EA7300PR
- Professional-grade brands with 60cc+ engines
Why 3/8″ for professional saws:
The larger tooth spacing cuts faster through denser, larger timber. The trade-off: higher cutting forces mean more kickback risk and greater demand on the operator. These saws are designed for skilled professionals who understand chain control and safety.
A 3/8″ chain on a small domestic saw would be overkill and dangerous. A .325″ chain on a 70cc professional saw would be underpowered and would struggle in production work.
What About 3/8″ LP (Low-Profile)?
There is a third common pitch you’ll see: 3/8″ LP (Low Profile). This is critical: 3/8″ LP and 3/8″ are NOT the same.
| Spec | 3/8″ LP (Low-Profile) | 3/8″ (Full-Profile) |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch measurement | 9.32mm (same as full 3/8″) | 9.32mm (same as LP) |
| Tooth height | Shorter (lower profile) | Taller (full height) |
| Bar groove depth | Shallower | Deeper |
| Cutting speed | Slower than full 3/8″ | Fast (professional speed) |
| Kickback | Lower (safer) | Higher (professional demands) |
| Typical saws | Battery chainsaws, entry-level petrol (Makita, DeWalt, some Stihl small models) | Professional petrol saws (Stihl MS362+, Husqvarna 550+) |
| Interchangeable? | NO — different bar groove | NO — different bar groove |
Critical warning: A 3/8″ LP chain will NOT fit in a full 3/8″ bar groove, and vice versa. The pitch is the same, but the tooth height and groove depth are completely different. Trying to force one into the other will damage the bar or chain.
When buying a replacement chain, you must specify whether you need 3/8″ LP or 3/8″ full. Check your original chain, bar marking, or manual.
Can You Convert a .325″ Saw to 3/8″?
Theoretically, yes — but it’s not practical or recommended.
What you’d need to replace:
- The entire bar (different groove width)
- The bar nose sprocket (different tooth count for the new pitch)
- The clutch sprocket (likely different size)
- The chain itself (obviously)
- Possibly the clutch and sprocket bearing (in some saw designs)
Why it’s not worth it:
- Cost: A new bar, sprockets, and chain could cost £80–150+. You could buy a second chainsaw for that money.
- Compatibility: Not all parts are available as aftermarket replacements. You may have to source original parts only.
- Safety: Improper sprocket sizing or installation can cause chain failure or excessive vibration.
- Performance: Fitting a larger chain to an underpowered saw doesn’t make it “better” — it just makes the saw work harder and wear out faster.
If you need a 3/8″ saw, buy a 3/8″ saw. Don’t modify a .325″ saw.
Which Brands Use Which Pitch
| Brand | .325″ Models | 3/8″ LP Models | 3/8″ Full Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stihl | — | MS170, MS180, MS200, MS210, MS211 | MS250, MS260, MS261 (typically), MS362, MS500i, MS661 |
| Husqvarna | — | 135, 140, 235, 240, 245 | 445, 450, 455 (typically), 550, 555, 560, 570 |
| Makita | — | DUC353, DUC355 (battery) | DCS4610, DCS5030, EA7001PR (petrol) |
| DeWalt | — | DCCS620, DCCS625 (battery) | — |
| Echo | CS-370 (entry-level) | — | CS-370, CS-400 (professional models) |
Note: Some brands (like Stihl and Husqvarna) use different pitches across their model range. Always check your specific saw model before buying a replacement chain.
How to Identify Your Chain Pitch
Before you buy a replacement, confirm which pitch your saw uses:
Method 1: Check your current chain or bar
- Look at the side of your chainsaw bar — the pitch should be marked (.325″, 3/8″, 3/8″ LP, etc.)
- If you have the old chain, the pitch is usually printed on the tie-strap metal
- Example marking: “Stihl 3/8″ .050″ 72DL” or “Oregon .325″ .050″ 73 DL”
Method 2: Look up your saw model
- Find your exact model number (e.g., Stihl MS250, Husqvarna 445)
- Search online or check your manual for “standard chain” or “recommended chain”
- The pitch will be listed
Method 3: Contact the manufacturer
- Ring Stihl UK, Husqvarna UK, or your saw’s distributor with your model number
- They’ll tell you the pitch and can recommend a replacement chain
Never guess. Ordering the wrong pitch chain is a waste of money and potentially unsafe.
Cutting Speed and Performance Comparison
On a comparable saw (e.g., both 50cc engines), which cuts faster?
| Chain Type | Cutting Speed | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8″ LP (low-profile) | Slowest of the three | Battery saws, entry-level petrol, safety-focused work |
| .325″ (mid-range) | Medium speed | Semi-professional work, general timber cutting |
| 3/8″ Full-Profile | Fastest | Professional work, large timber, production |
In practice: A 50cc Stihl MS261 (.325″) will cut 20–30% faster than a Stihl MS211 (3/8″ LP) due to both tooth type and engine tuning. But a 60cc Stihl MS362 (3/8″ full) will cut 15–25% faster than the MS261.
The larger the chain pitch and the more powerful the saw, the faster you’ll cut — but with greater demand on the operator’s skill and control.
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a .325″ chain on a 3/8″ saw?
No. The bar nose sprocket is engineered for 3/8″ pitch — the teeth spacing won’t match a .325″ chain. The chain will either rattle, slip, or jam completely. It’s unsafe and will damage the saw.
Which pitch cuts faster?
On a comparable saw, 3/8″ full-profile cuts faster than .325″, which cuts faster than 3/8″ LP. The larger tooth spacing allows more aggressive cutting — but creates more kickback.
Is .325″ safer than 3/8″?
For a given saw size, yes — .325″ produces less kickback than 3/8″ full-profile. But a small 3/8″ LP battery saw is safer than a large .325″ petrol saw. Safety depends on the entire tool, not just the pitch.
Why don’t Stihl and Husqvarna standardise on one pitch?
Different pitch suits different engine sizes and use cases. Stihl puts 3/8″ LP on small saws (MS170–MS211) because they’re entry-level and need lower kickback. They put .325″ or 3/8″ full on larger saws (MS250+) for adequate performance in their engine class. It’s an engineering trade-off.
My saw is marked “3/8” but I’m not sure if it’s LP or full-profile. How do I tell?
Look at the tooth height. Low-profile teeth are noticeably shorter and squatter. Full-profile teeth are taller and more pointed. Or count the teeth on a new chain — 3/8″ LP chains typically have more teeth for the same bar length because the teeth are smaller.
What does “full-profile” mean?
It means the tooth height is the full standard for that pitch. Low-profile chains have reduced tooth height (lower cutting aggressiveness, lower kickback). Full-profile is the professional standard — taller teeth that cut faster but produce more kickback.
Can I use Oregon or other aftermarket brands with .325″ or 3/8″?
Yes. Oregon, Stihl OEM, Husqvarna OEM, and other quality brands all use the same pitch and gauge standards. A .325″ .050″ chain from any manufacturer will fit any .325″ .050″ bar, regardless of brand.
What if I buy the wrong pitch by accident?
Don’t try to use it. Return it to the retailer for an exchange. Forcing the wrong pitch onto your saw will damage the bar, sprocket, or chain and is dangerous.
