To buy the right replacement chain you need four details: the guide bar length, the chain pitch, the chain gauge and the drive-link count. Husqvarna says all four must be correct and names choosing a chain by bar length alone as one of the most common mistakes. You can usually find them stamped on the guide bar, in the operator’s manual or on the chain packaging.
Step 1: Measure the Bar Length
Oregon measures the bar’s cutting length (its “called length”) from the front of the saw to the tip of the guide bar, rounded to the nearest inch. This is not the bar’s overall length: Oregon says the overall length of a 16-inch bar may be about 20 inches. On an Oregon bar, the first two digits of the part number stamped on the motor end, such as 16, give the called length.
Step 2: Identify the Pitch
Oregon defines pitch as the distance between any three consecutive rivets, divided by two. Husqvarna lists 1/4″, 1/4″ mini, .325″, .325″ mini, 3/8″, 3/8″ mini and .404″ as common pitches and says the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar. The pitch is usually stamped on the bar; check your manual if the marking is worn.
Step 3: Find the Gauge
Gauge is the thickness of the drive links where they fit into the bar groove; Oregon says the chain gauge and the bar gauge must match. To find it:
- Read the gauge stamped on the guide bar (for example .050″ or 1.3 mm).
- If the marking is worn, check your operator’s manual or the old chain’s packaging.
Common gauges:
| Gauge (inches) | Metric | Examples (maker sources) |
|---|---|---|
| .043″ | 1.1 mm | Makita DUC saws; DEWALT DT20676 chain; Milwaukee M18 FCHS and FTHCHS; Stihl Picco Micro Mini 3 and 1/4″ P; Husqvarna X-Precision |
| .050″ | 1.3 mm | Husqvarna 135 and 235 (H37); Makita UC3551A; Oregon 91PX; Stihl Picco Micro 3 (MS 180, MS 211) |
| .058″ | 1.5 mm | Husqvarna .325″ H25 and S35G and 3/8″ C85 and H42 (for example the 455 Rancher) |
| .063″ | 1.6 mm | Stihl .325″ Rapid on the MS 250 and MS 261; Stihl 3/8″ on the MS 362, MS 500i and MS 661 |
Recommended Chainsaw Chains
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Get the free Chainsaw Chain Sizing Guide (PDF)
Pitch, gauge & drive-link count decoded — match any chain yourself.
Where to find it: Gauge is stamped on your bar. Look for markings like “.058” or “1.5mm”.
Step 4: Count the Drive Links
Drive-link count is the number of drive links in the chain — the parts that run in the bar groove and engage the drive sprocket — and it sets the chain’s length (Husqvarna). Drive links are not the cutting teeth.
To count drive links:
- Remove the chain from the saw.
- Lay it flat on a table.
- Count every drive link (the links that sit in the bar groove), not the cutters.
- Write down the number.
Counts depend on the bar, not just its length. Maker examples for a 16″ / 40 cm bar: Stihl 55 (3/8″ P), Husqvarna and Milwaukee 56 (3/8″ mini / LP), Husqvarna 60 (3/8″) and 66 (.325″). For 14″ / 35 cm: Stihl 50, Makita and Husqvarna 52.
Why count yourself? Oregon says a bar from one maker may take a different drive-link count from another maker’s bar of the same length, and suggests counting the drive links on your current chain and keeping a note of the number.
Where to Find Specs Without Measuring
If you’d rather not measure, these sources will give you the information directly:
- Your operator’s manual — Husqvarna lists it as one of the places to find chain specifications.
- The chainsaw bar — Husqvarna says to look for the bar length, pitch, gauge and drive-link information stamped on the bar. On an Oregon bar, the first two digits of the part number give the called length.
- The chain itself — Oregon says to order by the number stamped on the drive link, and the chain packaging also carries the specification (Husqvarna).
- The manufacturer’s website — search for your exact model number. Spec sheets list everything.
- Oregon’s online chain finder — visit oregonproducts.com and enter your saw model. It lists Oregon chains for that model.
Check that the result matches the markings on your bar.
Common Measurement Mistakes
Measuring bar length wrong: Oregon measures the called length from the front of the saw to the tip of the guide bar, rounded to the nearest inch — not the bar’s overall length.
Confusing pitch variants: 3/8″ low profile (Oregon families 90 and 91; Stihl 3/8″ P; Husqvarna 3/8″ mini) and standard 3/8″ (Oregon 72, 73 and 75) are different chains. Check the code on your chain or bar.
Miscounting drive links: count twice. Oregon says the drive-link count must match the bar.
Confusing gauge with pitch: pitch is the distance between three consecutive rivets divided by two (Oregon); gauge is the drive-link thickness. Both must match.
Assuming all bars are the same: Two different manufacturers can have different bars for the same saw. Always verify the bar on your saw, not just the saw model.
Quick Reference: What Chain Do You Need?
Once you have your four measurements (bar length, pitch, gauge and drive-link count), compare them with these maker-listed examples:
| Bar length | Pitch | Gauge | Drive links | Example (maker listing) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10″ / 25 cm | 3/8″ LP | 1.1 mm | 40 | Makita DUC254; Einhell GE-LC 18/25 Li |
| 12″ / 30 cm | 3/8″ LP | 1.1 mm | 45–46 | Milwaukee M18 FCHSC (45); Makita DUC302 (46) |
| 14″ / 35 cm | 3/8″ LP | 1.1 mm | 52 | Makita DUC353; WORX WG384E |
| 16″ / 40 cm | 3/8″ LP | 1.1 mm | 56 | Milwaukee M18 FCHS and US 2727-20 |
| 16″ | .325″ | 1.3 or 1.5 mm | 66 | Husqvarna 440–460 |
| 18″ | .325″ | 1.3 or 1.5 mm | 72 | Husqvarna 445, 450 |
| 18″ / 45 cm | 3/8″ | 1.6 mm | 66 | Stihl MS 500i |
| 20″ / 50 cm | 3/8″ | 1.6 mm | 72 | Stihl MS 500i |
These are examples, not rules: the count for your saw depends on its bar. If your figures differ, re-check the bar markings and your manual.
Tools That Make Measuring Easier
Buy a dedicated chain measuring tool on Amazon — these have gauges and pitch rulers built in. Worth the few quid if you plan to replace chains regularly.
Oregon sharpening and measuring kit — check the listing for the file size your chain needs: Oregon gives 4.0 mm (5/32″) for 91PX, 4.8 mm (3/16″) for 95TXL and 5.5 mm (7/32″) for 72LPX and 73LPX.
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different pitch on my chainsaw?
No. Husqvarna says the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar. Use the pitch your manual lists for your saw.
What if I have an old chainsaw and can’t find the specs anywhere?
Use the markings: on an Oregon bar the part number starts with the called length, and Oregon says to order chain by the number stamped on the drive link. Count the drive links, and ask a dealer if the markings are worn.
Can I put a longer bar on my chainsaw?
Only to a length your saw’s maker lists for that saw. See our guide to fitting a longer bar.
What’s the difference between .325″ and 3/8″ LP?
.325″ is a smaller pitch than 3/8″. 3/8″ low profile is a separate chain type with the same nominal 3/8″ pitch (Oregon families 90 and 91). Husqvarna lists .325″ and 3/8″ mini as different pitches; they are not interchangeable.
Do I need to match the brand of chain to my saw?
No. If the pitch, gauge and drive-link count match, you can use another brand. Oregon’s part finder lists Oregon chains for many saw models, including Stihl, Husqvarna, Makita, DEWALT and Milwaukee saws.
Where can I find my chainsaw’s model number?
Check the engine housing, usually on a sticker or stamped into the plastic. Model numbers are often printed alongside the year and engine displacement (cc). Once you have the model number, search online or check the manual for exact chain specs.
What does “DL count” mean?
DL means drive link. The drive-link count is the number of drive links in the chain, not the number of cutting teeth, and it must match your bar (Oregon).
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 →
