Stihl’s manuals list the bar and chain combinations approved for each saw, and many Stihl saws take more than one chain. This guide uses those manuals and Stihl UK’s chain and bar pages.
It covers the MS 170 to MS 661 petrol saws and the MSA 120 C to MSA 300 battery saws. Where a manual gives no drive-link count, the table says so.
Stihl Chainsaw Chain Compatibility Chart
| Stihl Model | Bar Length | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS170 | 30, 35 or 40 cm | 3/8″ P (Picco) | 1.1 mm (.043″) | Stihl lists 44 / 50 / 55 DL for 3/8″ P chain at 30 / 35 / 40 cm (MSA 220 manual; Stihl UK PM3 page); the MS 170/180 manual gives no DL | Petrol | 61 PMM3 only |
| MS180 | 30, 35 or 40 cm | 3/8″ P (Picco) | 1.1 or 1.3 mm | Stihl lists 44 / 50 / 55 DL for 3/8″ P chain at 30 / 35 / 40 cm (MSA 220 manual; Stihl UK PM3 page); the MS 170/180 manual gives no DL | Petrol | 61 PMM3 (1.1 mm) or 63 PM3 (1.3 mm) |
| MS250 | 30–45 cm (3/8″ P) or 35–45 cm (.325″) | 3/8″ P or .325″ | 1.3 mm (3/8″ P) or 1.6 mm (.325″) | Not in the manual; Stihl UK lists 56 / 62 / 68 DL for .325″ 1.6 mm Rapid Super at 35 / 40 / 45 cm | Petrol | 63 PM3 or 26 RM |
| MS261 | 35–50 cm (1.3 mm) or 32–50 cm (1.6 mm) | .325″ | 1.3 or 1.6 mm | Not in the manual; see the Rapid Super figures above for 1.6 mm | Petrol | 23 RM / RS (1.3 mm) or 26 RM (1.6 mm) |
| MS362 | 37, 40, 45 or 50 cm | 3/8″ | 1.6 mm (.063″) | Not in the manual we hold | Petrol | 36 RM / RS |
| MS500i | 40–90 cm | 3/8″ | 1.6 mm (.063″) | 40 cm 60, 45 cm 66, 50 cm 72 (90 cm 114) | Petrol | 36 RS / RS3 |
| MS660 | 40–90 cm (3/8″) or 50 / 63 / 80 cm (.404″) | 3/8″ or .404″ | 1.6 mm (.063″) | Not in the manual | Petrol | 36 RM / RS or 46 RM |
| MS661 | 45–90 cm | 3/8″ or .404″ | 1.6 mm (.063″) | 3/8″: 45 cm 66, 50 cm 72, 63 cm 84; .404″: 45 cm 60, 50 cm 66 | Petrol | 36 / 46 RM, RS |
| MSA 120 C / MSA 140 C | 25 or 30 cm | 1/4″ P | 1.1 mm (.043″) | 56 / 64 | Battery | 71 PM3 |
| MSA 160 C / MSA 200 C | 25, 30 or 35 cm | 1/4″ P | 1.1 mm (.043″) | 56 / 64 / 72 | Battery | 71 PM3 |
| MSA 220 C | 30, 35 or 40 cm | 3/8″ P | 1.3 mm | 44 / 50 / 55 | Battery | Stihl 1.3 mm 3/8″ P chains (PS3, PS, PM3, PD3) |
| MSA 220.0 C | 30, 35, 40 or 45 cm | 3/8″ P | 1.1 mm | 44 / 50 / 55 / 61 | Battery | 61 PMM3 / 61 PS3 Pro |
| MSA 300 | 35, 40, 45 or 50 cm | .325″ | 1.3 mm (.050″) | 60 / 67 / 74 / 81 | Battery | 23 RD3 Pro / RM Pro; Stihl UK lists RS Pro |
Recommended Chainsaw Chains
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Before you buy: check that the size, fitting/bore and maximum-rated speed marked on the accessory match what your tool’s manual specifies. We have not physically tested these products; listings are compiled from published specifications. These are affiliate links.
Get the free Chainsaw Chain Sizing Guide (PDF)
Pitch, gauge & drive-link count decoded — match any chain yourself.
Petrol vs Battery Models: Key Differences
Stihl does not split its chains into petrol and battery types. What matters is the pitch, gauge and drive-link count Stihl lists for each saw: the MS 170, MS 180 and MS 211 use 3/8″ P (Picco) chain, the MS 250 takes 3/8″ P or .325″, the MS 261 .325″, and the MS 362, MS 500i and MS 661 use 3/8″ chain at 1.6 mm. Among the battery saws, the MSA 120 C to MSA 200 C use 1/4″ P, the MSA 220 uses 3/8″ P and the MSA 300 uses .325″.
Stihl PICCO Chains
PICCO is Stihl’s name for its low-profile chains. Stihl sells them in 3/8″ P (for example Picco Micro 3 in 1.3 mm and Picco Micro Mini 3 in 1.1 mm) and in 1/4″ P (71 PM3, 1.1 mm, used on the MSA 120 C to MSA 200 C). PICCO is not battery-only: the MS 170, MS 180 and MS 211 use 3/8″ P PICCO chain.
For the 1/4″ P MSA saws, Oregon’s UK part finder lists 24AP loops (1/4″ low profile, 1.1 mm): 24AP056E and 24AP064E, plus 24AP072E for the MSA 160 C and MSA 200 C. Stihl lists 56 / 64 / 72 drive links at 25 / 30 / 35 cm (57 / 65 on the MSA 161 T).
Stihl Light 04 Bars
Light 04 is a Stihl guide-bar family, not a chain. Stihl UK sells Light 04 bars in 3/8″ P 1.1 mm (30 and 35 cm) and in 3/8″ 1.6 mm (40, 45 and 50 cm). The MSA 300 manual lists Rollomatic E / Light 04 bars with .325″ 1.3 mm chain at 35–50 cm.
Oregon Chains for Stihl
These are the chains Oregon’s own part finder lists for each saw (captured October 2026). Oregon sometimes lists loops in more than one gauge for one saw, so choose the one that matches the gauge stamped on your bar.
| Stihl Model(s) | Oregon chains listed | Drive links (Stihl) |
|---|---|---|
| MS170 | UK: 90PX044E, 90PX050E. US: 90PX 044 / 050 / 055 | 44 / 50 / 55 at 30 / 35 / 40 cm (see chart note) |
| MS180 | UK: 90PX 044 / 050, 91PX 044 / 050 / 055, 91P, 91VXL | 44 / 50 / 55 at 30 / 35 / 40 cm |
| MS211 | UK: 91PX / 91P / 91VXL 044 / 050 / 055. US: 90PX 044 / 050 / 055 | 44 / 50 / 55 at 30 / 35 / 40 cm |
| MS250 | 91PX / 91PXL / 91VXL 044 / 050 / 055 | 3/8″ P bars as above |
| MS261 | UK: 95TXL 062 / 067 / 074, 22LGX, 22LPX. US: 20BPX / 20LGX / 20LPX | .325″: count your old chain (manual gives no DL) |
| MS362, MS500i | UK: 75DPX, 75LPX (056–084). US: 72EXL, 72EXJ, 72V | MS500i: 60 / 66 / 72 at 40 / 45 / 50 cm |
| MS661 | UK: 75DPX, 75LPX. US: 75TXL072G | 66 / 72 / 76 / 84 at 45 / 50 / 55 / 63 cm |
| MSA 120 C, MSA 140 C | UK: 24AP056E, 24AP064E | 56 / 64 at 25 / 30 cm |
| MSA 160 C, MSA 200 C | UK: 24AP 056 / 064 / 072 | 56 / 64 / 72 at 25 / 30 / 35 cm |
| MSA 220 | 90PX, 91PX, 91P, 91VXL | 44 / 50 / 55 at 30 / 35 / 40 cm |
| MSA 300 | UK: 95TXL, 22LGX, 22LPX (the manual lists 1.3 mm chain) | 60 / 67 / 74 / 81 at 35–50 cm |
SPARES2GO and Other Aftermarket Chains
Other brands sell chains in Stihl sizes. We have not tested them; check the pitch, gauge and drive-link count against your bar before buying.
Where to Buy Stihl Chains
Stihl OEM Chains
Available through Stihl dealers and online retailers. Stihl UK lists each chain type with the drive-link count for each bar length.
Oregon Chains
Browse Oregon chains on Amazon. Match the gauge on your bar to the loop you buy.
SPARES2GO and Budget Alternatives
SPARES2GO chains on Amazon. We have not tested them.
Chain Sharpening Kits
Keep your Stihl chain sharp with a professional sharpening kit. Stihl sharpening kits on Amazon.
Key Points to Remember
Do Not Mix 3/8″ P and Full 3/8″
Stihl lists 3/8″ P (Picco) chain for its small saws and full 3/8″ chain for its large saws; they are different chain types. Oregon says the chain pitch must match the drive sprocket and the bar nose sprocket, so use the chain type your manual lists.
PICCO Is a Low-Profile Family, Not a Battery-Only System
PICCO chains come in 3/8″ P and 1/4″ P. The MS 170 and MS 180 use 3/8″ P PICCO chain; the MSA 120 C to MSA 200 C use 1/4″ P.
Always Check Your Manual
Stihl’s manuals list the approved bar and chain combinations for each saw. Some editions (for example the MS 170, MS 261 and MS 362 manuals we hold) give no drive-link counts, so count your old chain as well.
Measure Your Current Chain
If you have lost your manual, read the markings on the bar and the drive links, and count the drive links. Oregon’s advice is to order by the number stamped on the drive link.
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fit an Oregon chain on my Stihl chainsaw?
Yes, if the pitch, gauge and drive-link count match your bar. Oregon’s part finder lists chains for many Stihl saws (see the table above), but not for every model.
What’s the difference between MS170 and MS180?
Both take 3/8″ P (Picco) chain on 30, 35 or 40 cm bars. Stihl’s manual lists 1.1 mm chain only for the MS 170, while the MS 180 takes 1.1 or 1.3 mm, so a 1.3 mm MS 180 chain does not fit an MS 170 bar.
My Stihl manual says my chain is 16″ 3/8 LP .043 DL. Is that the full spec?
No: you need the pitch, the gauge and the drive-link count. Stihl calls its low-profile pitch 3/8″ P, and a 40 cm (16″) bar with 3/8″ P chain takes 55 drive links in Stihl’s listings.
Is the MSA 220 compatible with MSA 200 chains?
No. The MSA 200 C uses 1/4″ P chain (56 / 64 / 72 drive links), while the MSA 220 uses 3/8″ P chain (44 / 50 / 55), so the pitch is different.
Can I fit a 20″ bar on my MS180?
Stihl’s MS 180 manual lists 30, 35 and 40 cm bars only. We have not found a Stihl source approving a longer bar.
How often should I sharpen my Stihl chain?
Stihl’s manual gives the sharpening method and file size for your chain. We have not tested how often chains need sharpening; sharpen when the chain stops cutting cleanly.
Related Pages
- Chainsaw Chain & Bar Compatibility Guide — Complete Hub
- Husqvarna Chainsaw Chain Compatibility Guide
- Makita Chainsaw Chain Compatibility
- DeWalt Chainsaw Chain Compatibility
- Oregon Chainsaw Chain Guide
How we compile this guide
We cross-reference compatibility details against manufacturer specifications where available, official tool manuals, and the physical standards that govern fitment (bore sizes, arbor diameters, voltage platforms, connector types). We prioritise primary sources over retailer listings, flag anything we can’t confirm, and re-verify the data on a regular cycle. Where we give a buying recommendation, we tell you the reasoning — not just the link. More on our method →
