Short answer: No, chainsaw chains are not universal. You must match three specifications: pitch, gauge and drive-link count (Husqvarna also lists guide bar length). A chain from another maker can fit if those figures match your bar and drive sprocket — Oregon’s part finder, for example, lists Oregon chains for Stihl, Husqvarna, Makita, DEWALT and Milwaukee saws. Check the chain maker’s own fitment listing for your saw.
Here’s what you need to know to get the right chain for your saw.
Why Chainsaw Chains Aren’t Universal
There are too many possible combinations for any single chain to fit all saws. Consider:
- Several pitches: Husqvarna lists 1/4″, 1/4″ mini, .325″, .325″ mini, 3/8″, 3/8″ mini and .404″ as common chain pitches.
- 4 gauge sizes: 1.1 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.5 mm, and 1.6 mm. Each is a different link thickness.
- Drive-link counts from 33 to over 100: in the maker listings we checked, counts run from 33 (Milwaukee’s 20 cm M18 FHS20) to 114 (Stihl’s 90 cm bar for the MS 500i). Drive links are not the same as cutting teeth.
For example, Husqvarna’s 16″ 3/8″ 1.5 mm chain (C85) has 60 drive links, while Makita’s DUC353 takes 3/8″ 1.1 mm chain with 52 drive links on its 35 cm bar — the gauge and drive-link count both differ, so one will not fit the other.
What Makes Chainsaw Chains Compatible?
Three specifications must match for a chain to fit your saw:
1. Pitch
Oregon defines pitch as the distance between any three consecutive rivets, divided by two. Husqvarna says the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar: a 3/8″ chain cannot be used with a sprocket designed for .325″ chain.
Check the pitch stamped on your guide bar or given in your manual and match it.
2. Gauge
Gauge is the thickness of the drive links where they sit in the bar groove, and it must match the groove. Husqvarna says a chain that is too thick will not fit the guide bar, and one that is too thin may fit loosely and operate unsafely.
Common gauges are .043″ (1.1 mm), .050″ (1.3 mm), .058″ (1.5 mm) and .063″ (1.6 mm). Use the gauge your bar is marked with.
3. Drive Link Count
Drive links are the parts of the chain that run in the bar groove and engage the drive sprocket; their number sets the chain length. It is not the number of cutting teeth. The count depends on the bar, not just its nominal length: for a 16″ / 40 cm bar, Stihl lists 55 drive links (3/8″ P), Husqvarna 56 (3/8″ mini), 60 (3/8″) or 66 (.325″), and Stihl 62 (.325″ Rapid Super).
Oregon notes that 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.
All three specs must match. If even one is wrong, the chain won’t work.
When Chainsaw Chains ARE Interchangeable
If the pitch, gauge and drive-link count all match your bar and sprocket, a chain from a different maker can fit. Chain makers publish fitment lists that show this, for example:
For example:
- Oregon’s part finder lists its 90PX056G (R56) loop for the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16″ chainsaw (2727-20) and its 95TXL loops for the Husqvarna 445 II, 450 II and 455 Rancher II (UK listings).
- Oregon lists its 90PX 3/8″ low-profile 1.1 mm loops for the Stihl MS 170, which Stihl fits with its own Picco Micro Mini 3 chain.
- A retailer listing shows that a chain is on sale, not that it fits: check its pitch, gauge and drive-link count against your bar.
Brand Cross-Compatibility
The table shows what each maker lists for some of its saws, and what Oregon’s part finder lists for the same saws. Compatibility depends on matching specifications, not on brand.
| Saw maker | What the maker lists (examples) | Oregon part finder lists (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna | 235/236/240: 3/8″ mini (H37) 1.3 mm, 52/56/62 drive links at 14/16/18″ (the 135: 14 and 16″ only). 445, 450, 455 Rancher: .325″ 1.3 or 1.5 mm. | 135 Mark II: 91PX 40–56 links (UK). 445 II/450 II/455 Rancher II: 95TXL 56–78 links (UK). |
| Stihl | MS 170: 3/8″ P 1.1 mm (Picco Micro Mini 3). MS 261: .325″ 1.3 or 1.6 mm. MSA 120 C–200 C: 1/4″ P 1.1 mm. | MS 170: 90PX044E, 90PX050E (UK). MS 261: 95TXL, 22LGX, 22LPX (UK). MSA 120–200: 24AP (UK). |
| Makita | DUC254: 25 cm, 3/8″ 1.1 mm, 40 links. DUC353: 35 cm, 3/8″ 1.1 mm, 52 links. | DUC254: 90PX040E (UK). DUC353: 90PX052 / R52 (US). |
| DEWALT | DCM565: 30 cm Oregon bar and chain (pitch and gauge not stated). DT20676 chain: 30 cm, 3/8″ .043″, 45 links. | DCCS620: 90PX045G / R45 (US). DCCS670: R56 (US). |
| Milwaukee | M18 FCHS: 40 cm, 3/8″ 1.1 mm, 56 links. US 2727-20: 16″ 3/8″ LP .043″, 56 links, Oregon bar in the box. | 2727-20: 90PX056G / R56 (US). |
| Ryobi | RY36CSX40B: 406 mm, .375″ .050″, 56 links. RY18CS20A: 20 cm, 3/8″ .043″, 33 links. The OCS1830 manual lists Oregon chain 90PX045XTT. | Not checked. |
Recommended Chainsaw Chains
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Check fitment & current price on Amazon (affiliate links).
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.
The bottom line: match the specifications first, then check the chain maker’s fitment list for your saw.
Exceptions to Watch Out For
Some maker chain systems need extra care:
Stihl PICCO System
Picco is Stihl’s name for its narrow low-profile chains, sold in 3/8″ P (for example Picco Micro Mini 3 on the MS 170) and 1/4″ P (Picco Micro 3 on the MSA 120 C to MSA 200 C). Picco saws are not limited to Stihl chain: Oregon’s part finder lists its 3/8″ low-profile 90PX loops for the MS 170 and its 1/4″ 24AP loops for the MSA 120–200. Match the drive-link count to your bar.
Husqvarna X-PRECISION
X-Precision is Husqvarna’s bar-and-chain combination for its professional battery and low-powered petrol saws. Husqvarna sells two X-Precision chains, SP11G and SP21G, in 1/4″ mini and .325″ mini pitch, and says the bars are designed specifically for use with X-Precision chains. SP21G is .325″ mini 1.1 mm. Check your bar markings or manual to see whether your saw has an X-Precision bar.
Professional Milling Systems
We have not checked milling bars and chains against maker data. If you mill timber, confirm the chain with the bar and chain maker.
Rule of thumb: match pitch, gauge and drive-link count to the markings on your bar or your manual, then check the chain maker’s fitment list for your saw. Husqvarna names choosing a chain by bar length alone as one of the most common mistakes.
How to Check If a Chain Will Work on Your Saw
Before buying a replacement chain, verify three things:
- Check your bar. Look for stamped markings showing pitch and gauge. Write them down.
- Count drive links. Count the drive links on your old chain. Oregon also prints the count on the flap of its chain boxes.
- Check the replacement chain specs. When you find a replacement, verify it has the same pitch, gauge, and drive link count as your measurements.
If all three match your bar and sprocket, the chain should fit, whatever the brand.
Where to Buy Universal Chains
Shop Oregon chainsaw chains on Amazon – filter by pitch and gauge to find exact matches.
Browse chainsaw chain replacements by size on Amazon – many brands available if you know your specs.
We have not tested how long different brands of chain stay sharp, so we make no claim about durability.
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all .325-inch chains the same?
Not quite. .325″ chains come in different gauges — Husqvarna lists 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm, Stihl’s Rapid Super is 1.6 mm, and .325″ mini chain is 1.1 mm — and drive-link counts change with bar length: Husqvarna’s .325″ SP33G has 56 links at 13″ and 66 at 16″. Gauge and drive-link count must match as well as pitch.
Can I use a 3/8-inch chain on a .325-inch saw?
No. Husqvarna says a chain with a 3/8″ pitch cannot be used with a sprocket designed for .325″ chain; the pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the guide bar.
What if I only have the saw model but no specs?
Check the markings stamped on the guide bar, the operator’s manual or the chain packaging — the places Husqvarna lists — or use a chain maker’s part finder, such as Oregon’s or Husqvarna’s Bars and Chains Guide. A dealer can also look up your model.
Is an Oregon chain better than other brands?
We have not tested chain brands against each other, so we do not rank them. First make sure pitch, gauge and drive-link count match your bar. Chains within one brand also differ: Oregon lists its 90PX and 91PX as low-kickback chains and says its 72LPX to 75LPX PowerCut chains do not comply with low-kickback performance.
Can I use a cheaper aftermarket chain instead of the OEM chain?
Yes, if pitch, gauge and drive-link count match and the chain suits your saw (for example its kickback rating). Aftermarket chains are often 20–30% cheaper than OEM. We have not tested how long different brands stay sharp.
What if my chain is a mix of specs from different makers?
A replacement chain is sold as a complete loop, so this should not arise. Do not mix pitches: Husqvarna lists mixing chain pitches as a common mistake and says the wrong chain can cause derailment, bar or sprocket damage and safety risks.
Are battery chainsaw chains different from petrol chains?
Not as a group — what matters is the bar’s pitch, gauge and drive-link count. Several battery saws we checked use 3/8″ low-profile 1.1 mm chain (for example the Makita DUC254 and DUC353 and Milwaukee M18 FCHS), and Makita lists the same 1.1 mm 3/8″ chain types (Oregon 90SG/90PX) for its EA3200S-series petrol saws. Other saws use .325″ or 1/4″ chain.
Do I need to use the exact OEM chain for my saw?
No, not if the replacement matches pitch, gauge and drive-link count: Oregon’s part finder, for example, lists Oregon chains for Stihl, Husqvarna, Makita, DEWALT and Milwaukee saws. Buying the chain your saw’s maker lists saves cross-checking.
Can I mix chain brands on the same saw?
Yes, but it’s not recommended. If you have two bars on your saw, you could use an Oregon chain on one bar and a Stihl chain on the other, as long as each bar’s specs are matched. However, for simplicity and consistency, buy the same brand of chain.
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 →
