What Chainsaw Chain Do I Need?
How to find what chainsaw chain you need by matching guide bar pitch, gauge, drive link count and cutter type to your saw.
By FirewoodGearHQ Editorial
Updated October 9, 2026
If you are asking what chainsaw chain do I need, you must match the guide bar length, pitch, gauge, and drive link count specified for your saw. Pitch must match your drive sprocket and guide bar nose, gauge must match your guide bar groove width, and drive link count must fit your bar length. Once those physical measurements match, choose semi-chisel cutters for general firewood cutting or full chisel cutters for clean timber.
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The quick answer
You cannot buy a chainsaw chain using bar length alone. Guide bars of identical length often run different pitch, gauge, or drive link counts. To find the correct replacement loop, check the stamped numbers on your guide bar near the engine mount or consult your operator manual. Match pitch, gauge, and drive link count exactly, then select semi-chisel teeth for dirty firewood or full chisel for clean wood.
Chainsaw chain specification chart by bar size
The reference specifications below show how bar length, pitch, gauge, and drive link count combine across representative models in manufacturer listings.
| Bar length | Pitch | Gauge | Drive links | Example model fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 inches (35cm) | 3/8" LP | .050" (1.3 mm) | 52 | Echo CS-310, Ryobi RY3714 |
| 16 inches | 3/8" LP | .043" | 55 | Stihl 61PMM355 |
| 20 inches | .325" | .050" | 80 | Husqvarna 450 Rancher |
| 20 inches | 3/8" | .050" | 72 | Husqvarna 455 Rancher, Stihl MS311 |
| 25 inches | 3/8" | .050" | 84 | Stihl 33RS-84 |
Notice that a 20 inch bar does not use a single universal chain. Husqvarna lists 80 drive links with .325 pitch on the 450 Rancher, but specifies 72 drive links with 3/8 pitch on the 455 Rancher. Always check every parameter.
What chainsaw chain do I need
Finding the correct replacement loop requires matching four core technical specifications to your saw.
Guide bar length
Guide bar length represents the operational cutting reach from the front of the saw case to the bar tip. Listed sizes include 14, 16, 20, and 25 inches. Length indicates cutting capacity, but does not define pitch, gauge, or link count. When choosing a saw for cutting firewood, see our guide to the best chainsaw for firewood.
Chain pitch
Pitch is the distance between three consecutive rivets divided by two. Pitch must match both the drive sprocket and the nose sprocket. Common listing pitches include 3/8 inch, 3/8 low-profile (LP), and .325 inch. For example, Oregon specifies 3/8 low-profile pitch on a 14 inch bar for saws up to 42cc, while the Husqvarna 455 Rancher and Stihl MS311 specify standard 3/8 pitch on 20 inch bars.
Chain gauge
Gauge is the drive link thickness where it rides inside the guide bar groove. Common gauges include .043 inch and .050 inch (1.3 mm). Stihl specifies .043 gauge on the 61PMM355 chain for a 16 inch bar. Oregon lists .050 gauge (1.3 mm) for a 14 inch bar, and Husqvarna lists .050 gauge on a 20 inch bar for the 450 Rancher.
Drive link count
Drive links are the inner lugs that engage the drive sprocket and travel through the bar groove. The count is the total number of links in the loop. KAKEI lists 52 drive links for a 14 inch bar on an Echo CS-310 and Husqvarna 120, while Oregon lists 52 drive links on a Ryobi RY3714. On 20 inch bars, Husqvarna lists 80 drive links on the 450 Rancher and 72 drive links on the 455 Rancher. Stihl lists 84 drive links for a 25 inch bar on the 33RS-84.
How to find chain specifications on your saw
Reading the guide bar stamp
Remove the clutch cover and wipe off bar oil. Guide bars have numbers stamped into the steel showing length, pitch, gauge, and drive link count, such as 3/8, .050, and 72DL or 80DL.
Checking the operator manual
The owner manual specifies approved bar and chain combinations, including drive sprocket pitch and bar part numbers.
Counting drive links by hand
If the bar stamp is worn, remove the chain, mark a starting link with chalk, and count every drive link around the loop to find the exact count.
Cutter profiles: semi-chisel vs full chisel
Semi-chisel cutters
Semi-chisel cutters have rounded working corners with high tolerance for debris. They hold an edge longer when cutting dirty firewood, muddy bark, or seasoned logs. Listings like the KAKEI S52 (14 inch, 52 drive links) and Husqvarna SP33G (20 inch, 80 drive links) use semi-chisel teeth. It is the most durable profile for mixed firewood piles.
Full chisel cutters
Full chisel cutters feature square corners that sever wood fibers rapidly in clean timber. The sharp corner dulls quickly in dirt or grit. Listings like the KAKEI E72 (20 inch, 72 drive links) and Stihl 33RS-84 (25 inch, 84 drive links) feature full chisel cutters where cutting speed is the priority.
Low-kickback bumper links
Low-kickback chains use bumper drive links to prevent aggressive bites at the bar nose. Oregon lists bumper links on its 91PX AdvanceCut chain, and KAKEI lists compliance with ANSI B175.1-2012 and CSA Standard Z62.3 on its S52 semi-chisel chain. For loop comparisons, see our best chainsaw chain guide and our best 16 inch chainsaw chain review.
What happens if you install the wrong chain
Installing an incorrect chain risks equipment damage and personal injury.
Mismatched pitch prevents drive links from seating on the sprocket, causing teeth wear, bar nose jamming, and broken chains.
Incorrect gauge causes severe cutting issues. A chain that is too thick binds in the bar groove, while a chain that is too narrow tilts in the slot and cuts crooked. If your cuts veer, see why does my chainsaw cut crooked.
Wrong drive link counts prevent proper tensioning. If a chain has too many links, the bar reaches the forward travel limit while the loop sags. If it has too few links, it will not fit over the bar nose. For derailment issues, read why does my chainsaw chain keep coming off.
Chainsaw chain maintenance and field safety
Inspect your chain before cutting for damaged links or loose rivets. Dull teeth create fine powder, push hard against the wood, and strain the motor. Sharpen with a file guide or grinder like the best chainsaw sharpener, and learn maintenance intervals in how often should you sharpen a chainsaw chain.
Safety gear is mandatory. Always wear chainsaw chaps, a forestry helmet with face screen and hearing protection, heavy gloves, and cut-resistant boots. Learn how ballistic fibers halt chains in do chainsaw chaps work. Verify the chain brake functions, keep a secure grip with both hands, avoid the kickback zone, and follow OSHA logging rules by never cutting alone.
Wear cut-resistant chaps, a helmet with face screen and hearing protection, gloves and sturdy boots. Know where the kickback zone is (the upper tip of the bar), keep the chain brake working and the chain sharp, and never cut alone in the woods. Felling trees is hazardous work: hire a professional for large, leaning or storm-damaged trees, especially near buildings or power lines. See OSHA logging safety for chain saw operators. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any chain that matches my bar length?
No. Bars of the same length require different pitch, gauge, and drive links. For example, a 20 inch bar takes 80 drive links on a Husqvarna 450 Rancher, but 72 drive links on a Husqvarna 455 Rancher. All three specs must match.
How do I know my chainsaw chain pitch?
Pitch is the distance between three consecutive rivets divided by two. Check the guide bar stamp or saw manual for listings like 3/8 inch, 3/8 low-profile (LP), or .325 inch.
What is the difference between .043 and .050 gauge?
Gauge is drive link thickness. An .043 chain has thinner drive links for narrow bars, while an .050 chain (1.3 mm) fits standard bars. An .050 chain binds in an .043 bar slot.
Is semi-chisel or full chisel better for firewood?
Semi-chisel is better for firewood because its rounded corners tolerate dirt, mud, and dry bark without dulling immediately. Full chisel cuts faster but requires clean wood.
What do drive link counts like 52 or 72 mean?
It is the total number of drive links in the loop. Reference listings show 52 links on a 14 inch bar for an Echo CS-310 and 72 links on a 20 inch bar for a Husqvarna 455 Rancher.
Related guides
Explore our chainsaws hub for equipment reviews. For saw sizing, see what size chainsaw do I need for firewood and how long should a chainsaw bar be. Compare bar capacities in is a 16 inch chainsaw big enough. For protective gear, check the chainsaw helmet with chin strap guide, or explore the best battery chainsaw for homeowners.
About the author
The FirewoodGearHQ editorial team researches firewood and wood heating equipment from published specifications, ratings and warranty terms, and scores every pick the same way. We do not run our own product trials.