HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT BAR AND CHAIN

How to Select the Right Chainsaw Chain: FAQ Guide

Selecting the correct chain for your chainsaw requires matching the chain to your saw’s specifications.

Q1: How do I know which chain fits my chainsaw?

A chainsaw chain is defined by three key specifications:

  1. Pitch – The distance between three consecutive rivets divided by two. Common pitches include 1/4″, .325″, 3/8LP,  3/8″, and .404″.

  2. Gauge – The thickness of the drive links that fit into the guide bar groove. Common gauges include .043″, .050″, .058″, and .063″.

  3. Drive Link Count – The total number of drive links inside the chain.

These three measurements must match the guide bar and sprocket. They are usually stamped on the side of the guide bar.

Q2: What chain cutter types are available?

Chainsaw chains come in different cutter types:

  • Full-chisel chains – Fast cutting

  • Semi-chisel chains – Slower cutting, holds edge longer

  • Carbide chains – Built for abrasive conditions

Q3: Can I use any chain if pitch and gauge match?

No. The drive link count must also match the bar length for the chain to fit correctly.

Q4: How to select the correct chain

  1. Check your guide bar for pitch, gauge, and drive link count.

  2. Select a chain that matches all three specifications.

  3. Choose a cutter type based on the cutting performance you want: full-chisel, semi-chisel, or carbide.

Quick Compatibility Checklist

  • Pitch matches the bar and sprocket

  • Gauge matches the bar groove

  • Drive link count matches bar length

  • Cutter type chosen

If buying a bar, here are the most commons mounts and models they fit.

 

IT IS THE PURCHASERS RESPONSIBILITY TO ASCERTAIN IF THIS BAR AND CHAIN WILL FIT THEIR PARTICULAR MACHINE.  YOU MUST NEED TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING IN ORDER TO GUARANTEE PROPER FITMENT:

BAR MOUNT PATTERN

PITCH

GAUGE

NUMBER OF DRIVE LINKS

 

CALLED LENGTH (14" 16" 18" ETC) IS NOT A PROPER INDICATOR OF CHAIN FITMENT.

THE SPECS ARE LISTED IN THE TITLE

IF YOU ARE UNSURE WE CAN HELP YOU DETERMINE THE PROPER SETUP YOU MAY NEED

D025 MOUNT FITS:

Some of the machines below run 3/8 pitch and others run .325 pitch.  First confirm your machine for bar mount pattern, then confirm chain pitch.

STIHL
026, 026 PRO, 026P, 028, 028 Super, 029, 030, 031, 032, 034, 034 SUPER, 036, 036 PRO, 036 QS, 036P, 038, 038 Super MAGNUM, 039, 039 SUPER MAGNUM, 040, 041, 042, 044, 044 MAGNUM, 044M, 045, 046, 046 MAGNUM, 046M, 048, 056, 056 SUPER, 056S, 064, 066, 066 MAGNUM, E15, E20, E220, E220Q, MS 260, MS 260 Pro, MS 261, MS 261 C-M, MS 261 C-MQ, MS 261 CQ, MS 270, MS 270 C, MS 270 C-B, MS 270 CQS, MS 290, MS 291, MS 291 C-BEQ, MS 310, MS 311, MS 341, MS 360, MS 360 C, MS 360 Pro, MS 360 QS, MS 361, MS 361 C-B, MS 361 QS, MS 362, MS 362 C-M, MS 362 C-MQ, MS 362 CQ, MS 362 RC-M, MS 390, MS 391, MS 440, MS 440 MAGNUM, MS 441, MS 441 ARCTIC, MS 441 C, MS 441 C-M, MS 441 C-MQ, MS 441 RC-M, MS 460, MS 460 MAGNUM, MS 461, MS 462, MS 500i, MS 650, MS 660, MS 660 MAGNUM, MS 661 C-M, MS 661 R C-M, MSE 200, MSE 220, MSE 220 Q, MSE 250 C

D176 MOUNT FITS:


ECHO
CS-451, CS-451VL, CS-452, CS-452VL, CS-5001, CS-500EVL, CS-500VL, CS-501EVL, CS-510EVL, CS-550, CS-5500, CS-550EVL, CS-590, CS-60, CS-600, CS-600P, CS-601, CS-602, CS-602VL, CS-60S, CS-610, CS-610T, CS-620P, CS-620PW, CS-650, CS-650EVL, CS-660, CS-660EVL, CS-670, CS-6700, CS-6701, CS-6702, CS-680, CS-701, CS-702, CS-702VL, CS-706, CS-750, CS-750EVL, CS-8000, CS-8001, CS-800P, CST-610

MCCULLOCH
10-10A, 1000, 43840, 43871, 43900, 43931, 43961, 43992, 44022, 44114, 55, 555, 560, 570, 60, 605, 610, 620, 650, 655, 700, 805, 850, CP 70L, CP55, CP70, Double Eagle 50, Double Eagle 80, Eager Beaver 3.4, Eager Beaver 3.7, MAC 1-10, MAC 10-10, MAC 2-10A, MAC 2-10PS, MAC 3-10E, MAC 4-10, MAC 5-10, MAC SUPER 2-10A, Mac 3-10, Mac 6-10, PM 10-10A, PM 10-10S, PM 560, PM 7-10A, Pro Mac 55, Pro Mac 555, Pro Mac 570, Pro Mac 5700, Pro Mac 60, Pro Mac 605, Pro Mac 610, Pro Mac 650, Pro Mac 655, Pro Mac 700, Pro Mac 800, Pro Mac 8200, Pro Mac 850, SE 3.4, SE 3.7, SP 81E, Silver Eagle 3420, Silver Eagle 3720, Super Pro 60, Super Pro 70, Super Pro 80, Super Pro 81, Timber Bear, Titan 50, Titan 57, Titan 70


POULAN
203, 245, 306, 306 A, 3400, 360, 361, 3700, 375, 3800, 385, 3900, 395, 400, 4000, 4200, 4400, 446, 450, 4900, 5200, 5400, 5500, 6700

A074 MOUNT FITS:


STIHL
009, 009 L, 010, 011, 012, 015, 017, 018, 018 C, 019, 019T, 020, 020 Super, 020T, 021, 023, 023C, 023L, 025, 025C, 70, E 10, E 14, E 140, E180, E180C, HT 100 Pole Pruner, HT 101 Pole Pruner, HT 130 Pole Pruner, HT 131 Pole Pruner, HT 250 Pole Pruner, HT 70 Pole Pruner, HT 73 Pole Pruner, HT 75 Pole Pruner, MS 170, MS 171, MS 180, MS 180 C, MS 180 C-B, MS 180 C-BE, MS 180 G, MS 181, MS 181 C, MS 181 C-BE, MS 190T, MS 191T, MS 192 C, MS 192 C-E, MS 192 T, MS 192 T C-E, MS 192 TC, MS 193, MS 193 C-E, MS 193T, MS 194 C, MS 200, MS 200T, MS 201, MS 201 C, MS 201 C-E, MS 201 C-EM, MS 201 T, MS 201 T C-M, MS 210, MS 210 C, MS 210 C-BE, MS 211, MS 211 C, MS 211 C-BE, MS 220, MS 220 Q, MS 230, MS 230 C, MS 230 C-BE, MS 241 C-M, MS 250, MS 250 C, MS 250 C-BE, MS 251, MS 251 C, MS 251 C-BE, MSA 220 C-B, MSE 140, MSE 140 C, MSE 140 C-BQ, MSE 170 C-BQ, MSE 180, MSE 180 C, MSE 200, MSE 210 C-BQ

D024 MOUNT FITS:



JONSERED
1020, 110, 111, 2350, 60, 601, 61, 62, 621, 66, 70, 70E, 75, 751, 77, 80, 801, 81, 820, 830, 90, 910, 920, 930, 939, 941

D009 MOUNT FITS :



DOLMAR
PS-6400, PS-6400H, PS-6400W, PS-7300, PS-7300H, PS-7300W, PS-7310, PS-7310H, PS-7900, PS-7900H, PS-7900W, PS-7910, PS-7910H, PS-7910W, PS-7910XD, PS-9010, PS-9010FL, PS9000


HUSQVARNA
1100, 160, 162, 181, 185, 2100, 2101, 260, 266, 268, 272, 281, 285, 288, 288XP Lite, 298, 3120, 3120XP, 365, 371, 372, 372XP, 372XPG, 372XPW, 380, 385, 385XP, 385XPG, 385XPW, 390XP, 390XPG, 390XPW, 394, 394XP, 395, 395XP, 395XPG, 395XPW, 465 RANCHER, 480, 562XP, 562XPG, 565, 570, 572XP, 572XPG, 575XP, 575XPG, 575XPW, 576XP, 576XP Auto Tune, 576XPG, 576XPW, 61, 65, 66, 70, 77, JUNGLE 3120, L Series 585XP, 592XP

JONSERED
2065, 2065W, 2071, 2071W, 2077, 2083, 2083II, 2094, 2095, 2163, 2163 WH, 2165, 2171, 2171 WH, 2186, 2186 WH, 625, 625 LL, 630, 630 SUPER II, 630 Super, 630 West Coast, 670, 670 SUPER II, 670 West Coast, CS 2165, CS 2166, CS 2171, CS 2171WH, CS 2172, CS 2172WH, CS 2186, CS 2186WH, CS 2188

K095 MOUNT FITS:

Some of the machines below run 3/8 pitch and others run .325 pitch.  First confirm your machine for bar mount pattern, then confirm chain pitch.



HUSQVARNA
154, 242, 246, 254, 254XP, 257, 261, 262, 262XP, 340, 345, 346, 350, 351, 355, 357, 357XP, 357XPG, 359, 359E-TECH, 360, 362, 362 XP, 40, 42, 455, 455 RANCHER, 455E RANCHER, 460, 460 RANCHER, 465 RANCHER, 466, 49, 51, 545, 55, 55 RANCHER, 550, 555, 560XP, 560XPG, 57

A041 MOUNT FITS:

ECHO
CS-2000, CS-2800, CS-280E, CS-280EP, CS-285EVL, CS-290, CS-2900, CS-300, CS-3000, CS-300EVL, CS-301, CS-302, CS-302S, CS-303T, CS-305, CS-3050, CS-310, CS-315, CS-320EVL, CS-328, CS-330, CS-330EVL, CS-330MX4, CS-330T, CS-340, CS-3400, CS-341, CS-345, CS-3450, CS-346, CS-3500, CS-350TES, CS-351, CS-3510, CS-352, CS-355T, CS-360, CS-360EVL, CS-360T, CS-361P, CS-370, CS-370F, CS-370T, CS-400, CS-400F, CS-4400, E155, ECS-2000, ECS-3000

HUSQVARNA
120, 136, 137, 140, 140S, 141, 142, 23, 235, 235E, 240, 240E, 243, 249, 33, 36, 38, 41, 439, Electric 16


POULAN
1220, 1420, 1425, 1625, 1630, 180, 1800, 190, 1900, 1900 LE, 1950, 1950 LE, 1975, 1975 LE, 200, 2000, 2025, 205, 2050, 2055, 2055 LE, 2075, 2075C, 210, 2100, 2150, 2155, 2160, 2175, 220, 221, 222, 225, 2250, 2250 LE, 230, 2300, 2300AV, 2300CVA, 235, 2350, 236, 2375, 2375 LE, 240, 2400, 2450, 250, 2500, 255, 2550, 2550 LE, 2555, 25A, 260, 2600, 262, 3314, 3316 LE, 3416, 3516, 3516AVX, 3816, 3816 AV, 3818, 400E, 4018, 4218, 4218A, 4218AV, 4218AVX, 967607201, E14E, E16E, ELECTRIC PRO 400E, ES 350, ES350, ES400, Electric Models, Micro 25(XX Series and XXV Series), P3314, P3816, P600, PATRIOT 1900, PL1416, PP3516AVX, PPB1634, PPB1838, PPB3416, PPR4218A, PR3816, PR4016, PR4218, S23, S25, S25AV, S25CVA, S25D, S25DA, S35, WILD THING, Woodshark