G4 BSP Thread Dimensions and Tap Drill

G4 is the parallel British Standard Pipe thread (BSPP) of nominal size 4: 11 threads per inch on a 55° Whitworth form with rounded crests and roots, and a major diameter of 113.030 mm (4.4500 in). The size names the bore of the pipe it was once cut on, so nothing on the thread measures 4 inch.

Thread profile

55°Internal thread (port)External thread (fitting)P = 2.309 mmmajor Ø d113.030 mmpitch Ø d2111.551 mmminor Ø d1110.073 mmh = 1.479 mmr = 0.317thread axis
Whitworth profile with the G4 dimensions. Crests and roots are rounded to a radius of 0.317 mm.

G4 dimensions

Dimensionmmin
Major diameter d = D113.0304.4500
Pitch diameter d2 = D2111.5514.3918
Minor diameter d1 = D1110.0734.3336
Pitch P2.3090.09091
Thread height h (0.640327 × P)1.4790.0582
Crest and root radius r (0.137329 × P)0.3170.0125
Height of fundamental triangle H2.2180.0873
PropertyValue
Threads per inch11
Flank angle55° (27.5° each side)
Tapernone (parallel thread)

Basic dimensions from ISO 228-1 Table 1. Inch values are conversions.

G4 tap drill size

Tap drill for G4: 110.4 mm (4.3465 in)

This is 0.33 mm over the basic minor diameter of 110.073 mm and leaves about 89% thread.

ISO 228-1 puts the whole tolerance on the minor diameter of the internal thread above the basic size, so the hole is always drilled larger than 110.073 mm. Drilling to the basic minor diameter itself leaves the tap cutting on its full profile and risks breaking it.

Drillmmin% threadThread engagement
110.4 mmrecommended110.404.346589%

% thread = (major diameter − drill diameter) ÷ (2 × thread height).

G4 and the tapered R4 (BSPT)

The taper thread of ISO 7-1 (EN 10226), written R4 for the male and Rc4 or Rp4 for the female, has the same 11 threads per inch and the same 55° form as G4, and at its gauge plane it has the same diameters. It differs in being cut on a 1 in 16 taper and in sealing on the thread with a sealant. The male R4 mates with a taper Rc4 or a parallel Rp4 female thread. Rp is not the same thing as G: the basic sizes agree but the tolerances do not, so a G4 port is not a specified mate for a taper male.

How G4 seals

A G4 joint does not seal on its threads. ISO 228-1 is the standard for pipe threads where the pressure-tight joint is made outside the thread: the male fitting clamps a bonded washer, an O-ring or a flat gasket against the face of the port. The thread only supplies the clamping force, so thread sealant is not what makes the joint tight.

G4 against 4 NPT

The American NPT thread of the same nominal size has 8 threads per inch against 11, a 60° flank angle and an outside diameter of 114.300 mm against 113.030 mm. The parts do not fit each other. Use an adapter.

ThreadTPIMajor Ø (mm)Major Ø (in)Flank angleTaper
G4 (this thread)11113.0304.450055°parallel
4-8 NPT8114.3004.500060°1 in 16

NPT vs BSP in detail

Related sizes and tools

Sources: ISO 228-1 (dimensions and sealing principle), ISO 7-1 (taper threads), tap manufacturers’ drill charts. How this site checks its data. Last reviewed 29 September 2026.