3/8 vs .325 Chainsaw Chain — What’s the Difference? (2026)

3/8″ and .325″ are two different chainsaw chain pitches, and they are not interchangeable: Husqvarna says the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar, and that a 3/8″ chain cannot be used with a sprocket designed for .325″ chain. This guide explains the difference and how to tell which you need.

Key Differences at a Glance

Bottom line: they are not interchangeable. Husqvarna says the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar.

What Does Chainsaw Chain Pitch Mean?

Oregon defines pitch as the distance between any three consecutive rivets, divided by two. .325″ and 3/8″ are the nominal sizes in inches.

• .325″ = 0.325 in (8.26 mm; Milwaukee prints 8.3 mm)
• 3/8″ = 0.375 in (9.53 mm; Ryobi prints 9.525 mm). Stihl prints 9.32 mm for its low-profile 3/8″ P.

Husqvarna says the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar; for example, a 3/8″ chain cannot be used with a sprocket designed for .325″ chain.

So a chain of a different pitch will not fit unless the bar and drive sprocket are also for that pitch.

When to Use .325″ Chain

Makers fit .325″ pitch chain to many mid-size petrol saws and to some battery saws (see the examples below).

Best for:

• Neither Oregon nor the saw makers we checked tie a pitch to particular jobs or users. Use the pitch your saw’s manual lists.

Common .325″ saws:

• Stihl: MS 261 (.325″ only), MS 250 (.325″ or 3/8″ P bars), MSA 300 (battery)
• Husqvarna: 440, 445, 450, 455 Rancher, 460 Rancher, 550 XP Mark II, 560 XP; 542i XP (battery)
• Milwaukee: M18 FTHCHS30 and FTHCHS35 (top handle, .325″ 1.1 mm), M18 F2CHS50 (.325″ 1.3 mm)
• DEWALT: DCMCST635 (top handle, .325″ low profile)

Why .325″ for mid-range saws:

When to Use 3/8″ Chain

Oregon lists its PowerCut 3/8″ chains (72LPX, 73LPX, 75LPX) for saws of 50–100 cc with 16–36″ bars and says they do not comply with low-kickback performance.

Best for:

• Neither Oregon nor the saw makers we checked tie a pitch to particular jobs or users. Use the pitch your saw’s manual lists.

Common 3/8″ full-profile saws:

• Stihl: MS 362, MS 500i, MS 660, MS 661
• Husqvarna: 560 XP, 576 XP; 455 Rancher and 460 Rancher also list 3/8″ bars

Why 3/8″ for professional saws:

We have not found maker data comparing cutting speed by pitch, so we make no speed claim.

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.

Critical warning: buy the 3/8″ type your bar is marked for. Husqvarna treats 3/8″ and 3/8″ mini as different pitches that must match the sprocket and bar, and Oregon makes them as separate chain families (90 and 91 for 3/8″ low profile; 72, 73 and 75 for 3/8″).

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″?

Only where your saw’s maker lists both pitches. Stihl, for example, lists 3/8″ P and .325″ bars for the MS 250, and Husqvarna lists .325″ and 3/8″ bars for the 455 Rancher and 460 Rancher. If your manual lists only one pitch, we have no maker source for converting it.

What you’d need to replace:

• A guide bar for the new pitch
• A drive sprocket for the new pitch (Husqvarna: the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar)
• A chain of the new pitch, gauge and drive-link count

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: use only the bars and sprockets your saw’s maker lists.
• Safety: Husqvarna says the wrong chain can cause chain derailment, bar or sprocket damage and safety risks.
• Performance: we have no maker data on how a converted saw performs.

If your manual lists only one pitch, keep to it.

Which Brands Use Which Pitch

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.)
• On Oregon chain, order by the number stamped on the drive link (Oregon’s advice); Oregon also prints the drive-link count on its box flap
• Example codes: Oregon 91PX055E is 3/8″ low-profile .050″ with 55 drive links (family 91 = 3/8″ LP .050″); Stihl 3639 000 0062 is .325″ 1.6 mm Rapid Super with 62 drive links

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. Husqvarna lists safety risks and damage to the bar or sprocket among the results of using the wrong chain.

Cutting Speed and Performance Comparison

We have not found maker test data comparing cutting speed by pitch, so we do not rank the chain types by speed.

Watch: Video Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a .325″ chain on a 3/8″ saw?

No. Husqvarna says the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar, so a .325″ chain will not fit a saw set up for 3/8″.

Which pitch cuts faster?

We have not found maker data comparing cutting speed by pitch, so we do not rank them.

Is .325″ safer than 3/8″?

Kickback depends on the chain, not just the pitch. Oregon lists its DuraCut M95VPX (.325″) as low-kickback but not its SpeedCut 95TXL (.325″), and says its PowerCut 3/8″ chains (72LPX–75LPX) do not comply with low-kickback performance. In the US, Oregon notes that ANSI B175.1 requires petrol saws under 62 cc to meet low-kickback provisions.

Why don’t Stihl and Husqvarna standardise on one pitch?

The makers do not say why in the sources we checked. What they list: Stihl uses 3/8″ P on the MS 170 to MS 211, .325″ on the MS 261 and 3/8″ on the MS 362 to MS 661, and the MS 250 can take 3/8″ P or .325″ bars.

My saw is marked “3/8” but I’m not sure if it’s LP or full-profile. How do I tell?

Check the bar marking, your manual or the chain code. In Oregon codes, families 90 and 91 are 3/8″ low profile and 72, 73 and 75 are 3/8″. Drive-link counts also differ: at 16″, Husqvarna lists 56 links for 3/8″ mini (H37) and 60 for 3/8″ (C85).

What does “full-profile” mean?

Full-profile is the standard 3/8″ chain, as opposed to 3/8″ low profile. Oregon makes the two as separate families (90 and 91 for 3/8″ low profile; 72, 73 and 75 for 3/8″). We have not found maker figures for tooth height, cutting speed or kickback by profile.

Can I use Oregon or other aftermarket brands with .325″ or 3/8″?

Yes, if the chain matches your bar’s pitch, gauge and drive-link count. Oregon’s part finder lists .325″ chains such as 95TXL for the Stihl MS 261 and Husqvarna 445 II, 450 II and 455 Rancher II. Oregon also says drive-link counts for the same bar length can differ between bar makers, so match the count, not just the length.

What if I buy the wrong pitch by accident?

Don’t fit it. Husqvarna says the wrong chain can cause derailment, bar or sprocket damage and safety risks. Ask the retailer about a return or exchange.