What Size Gas Line For A Fire Pit? (Find Out Now!)

Heather Robbins
by Heather Robbins

A magnificent fire pit flame requires two things: enough gas and the proper rigid piping to deliver it. The size of the hard pipe is sometimes overlooked, and the resulting flame might be underwhelming. So, what size of a gas line do you need for the fire pit?

If your gas supply has 100,000 BTU available for your fire pit and the fire pit is 20 feet away from the gas source, you’ll need a 3/4-inch diameter hard pipe. The size of the gas line is highly dependant on how far way your fire pit is from the gas source.

This article is about using hard piping to transport gas from its source, such as your residential metered supply or a huge gas storage bottle, to the position of your fire pit. This includes charts so you can figure out what size of pipes you need for your fire pit. Let’s get started!

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Gas Hard Piping Size For Fire Pits

The right size of the flame is required for a nice flame. To deliver enough gas, you’ll need a lot of hard piping. Here’s a little example to demonstrate how crucial this is:

If your fire pit is at least 20 feet away from where your gas is, and the supply has 100,000 BTU for the fire pit then you will need to make sure you install a 3/4 inch hard pipe.

If the same fire pit is 100 feet from the gas source, a 1′′ diameter pipe is required. Over 100 feet, the 3/4′′ pipe would only deliver 68,000 BTUs! (Natural Gas), two-thirds of the needed amount!

The Location Of The Gas And Fire Pit

There are two primary difficulties that must be solved in order to have a fantastic fire pit flame:

  • The burner’s BTU rating must match the available gas supply’s BTU rating.
  • To transport the gas from its source to the fire pit, you must choose the appropriate pipe size.

The hard piping size for fire pits charts below is for new gas line installations that are being run directly from the gas source. If you’re connecting to an existing gas line, you’ll need to evaluate the existing system’s surplus capacity to ensure you’ll have enough pressure at your fire pit.

Please note that these charts are just for informational purposes. To get an official number for the pipe you should consult a professional.

How Do You Use The Charts?

Assume you’re planning to put a 75,000 BTU gas burner in your fire pit project, as shown in the Natural Gas Chart. The length of hard pipe from your gas supply to the fire pit construction is represented by the vertical column on the left.

(For every 90-degree curve in the pipe length, add 5 feet to that length.) The top row displays the various gas pipe diameters, such as 1/2 “, 3/4”, and so on.

Select the overall length of the gas line required in the left column. (If your calculation falls between two possibilities, always choose the longer distance). If you require 110 feet of gas line, you would choose the 125 feet option.

Now we’ll look to the right, along the line of figures that will give enough gas for our 75,000 BTU unit. The first number we find is 28, which equals 28,000 BTU, which is insufficient for our 75,000 BTU unit.

The next value to the right is 60, which represents 60,000 BTU, which is still insufficient for our 75,000 BTU unit. Moving to the right, the next figure is 117, which represents 117,000 BTU, which is more than enough for your 75,000 BTU requirement.

Look up to the top row of the chart, above the 117 figure, to see that a 1′′ diameter gas line is required. Because the formulas for Natural Gas and Propane are different, make sure you use the right chart.

Liquid Propane Chart

Liquid Propane Chart

Feed Pipe Diameter (Inch)

Pipe Length In Feet

1/2

3/4

1

1 1/4

1 1/2

2

2 1/2

3

10

275

567

1071

2205

3307

6221

10140

17990

20

189

393

732

1496

2299

4331

7046

12510

30

152

315

590

1212

1858

3465

5695

10110

40

129

267

504

1039

1559

2992

4478

8481

50

114

237

448

913

1417

2646

4343

7708

60

103

217

409

834

1275

2394

3908

6936

70

89

185

346

724

1086

2047

3329

5908

80

78

162

307

630

976

1811

2991

5309

90

69

146

275

567

866

1606

2654

4711

100

63

132

252

511

787

1496

2412

4281

125

54

112

209

439

665

1282

2083

3618

150

48

100

185

390

590

1138

1808

3210

175

43

90

168

353

534

1030

1637

2905

200

40

83

155

325

491

947

1505

2671

300

37

77

144

303

458

887

1404

2492

Natural Gas Hard Pipe Size Chart

Natural Gas Hard Pipe Chart For Sizing

Feed Pipe Diameter In Inches

Pipe Length

1/2

3/4

1

1 1/4

1 1/2

2

2 1/2

3

10

108

230

387

793

1237

2259

3640

6434

20

75

160

280

569

877

1610

2613

5236

30

61

129

224

471

719

1335

2156

4107

40

52

110

196

401

635

1143

1867

3258

50

46

98

177

364

560

1041

1680

2936

60

42

89

159

336

513

957

1559

2684

70

38

82

149

317

476

896

1447

2492

80

36

76

140

239

443

840

1353

2315

90

33

71

133

275

420

793

1288

2203

100

32

68

126

266

411

775

1246

2128

125

28

60

117

243

369

700

1143

1904

150

25

54

105

215

327

625

1008

1689

175

23

50

93

196

303

583

993

1554

200

22

47

84

182

280

541

877

1437

300

17

37

70

145

224

439

686

1139

NOTE: The Gas Hard Piping Size For Fire Pits tables above show the specific pipe sizes needed for a new gas line installation based on the quantity of BTUs. If you’re using an existing gas line, you’ll need to examine the capacity of the current gas line to ensure proper pressure.

This chart is provided for informational purposes only; for further information, consult a Licensed Plumber/Gas Fitter or the NFPA54 (National Fuel Gas Code 72 – current edition).

How Much Does It Cost to Hire A Professional?

It will cost between $300 and $500 to run a professionally installed gas line to your firepit. This cost includes materials as well as labor, but you should always check with your contractor to see what is included in the price.

It’s best to always get at least three quotes so you know that you’re getting the best deal. Also, it’s a good idea that you check reviews with the companies that you’re thinking of hiring. This way, you don’t pay for a job that’s likely to cause a new slew of issues.

Do You Need Gas Line Installation or Repair?

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Related Questions

Do you need a gas line for a fire pit?

Having a natural gas fire pit is a great choice especially if you’re looking to add any type of permanent fire feature in your little backyard oasis. However, keep in mind that a permit is required to install a permanent gas line.

Unless of course there’s already an existing gas line that’s hooked up. But, if there’s not, you will need a professional to come and install the line according to code.

Which pipe is best for gas lines?
For gas lines, the best type of pipe would be corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) which is good for the installation of gas appliances.
The pipes bend so you don’t have to use joints and fittings, which both increase the likelihood of gas leaks down the line. Not to mention, they’re easier than a steel pipe to work with as they weigh significantly less.
Do gas fire pits keep you warm?
The heat that’s generated by a gas fire pit is usually enough to keep you warm, but should not be used as a primary source of heating.
Heather Robbins
Heather Robbins

Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.

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