16 Inch Chainsaw Chain: Sizes for Every Brand Australia | Farm & Acre Co
Sixteen inches is the most common bar length on chainsaws sold in Australia. From a Stihl MS 170 to a Husqvarna 120, from a Ryobi to a Milwaukee, chances are your saw runs a 16 inch bar.
But "16 inch chain" doesn't mean one chain fits all. Different saws use different pitch, gauge, and drive link counts, even on the same bar length. Get any of those three wrong and the chain won't fit.
This guide gives you the specs for every common 16 inch chainsaw by brand.
The Three Things You Need to Match
Every chainsaw chain is defined by three measurements:
2. Gauge, the thickness of the drive links (.043", .050", or .063")
3. Drive links, the number of links (determines the chain length)
All three must match your bar and saw. A chain with the right pitch but wrong gauge won't sit in the bar groove properly.
16 Inch Chain Specs by Brand
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Notes |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|-------|
MS 170 | 3/8" LP | .043" | 55 | Most popular small Stihl |
MS 171 | 3/8" LP | .043" | 55 | Same chain as MS 170 |
MS 180 | 3/8" LP | .043" | 55 | Same chain as MS 170 |
MS 181 | 3/8" LP | .043" | 55 | Same chain as MS 170 |
MS 211 | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Different gauge, NOT interchangeable with MS 170 |
MS 230 | .325" | .063" | 62 | Completely different chain |
MS 250 | .325" | .063" | 62 | Same chain as MS 230 |
MS 251 | .325" | .063" | 62 | Same chain as MS 230 |
MS 271 Farm Boss | .325" | .063" | 67 | Different drive link count to MS 250 |
MS 291 Farm Boss | .325" | .063" | 67 | Same chain as MS 271 |
MSA 220 (Battery) | 3/8" LP | .043" | 55 | Same chain as MS 170 |
Key point for Stihl owners:The MS 170/180 uses .043" gauge, the MS 211 uses .050" gauge, and the MS 250/271 uses .063" gauge. Three different gauges on 16" bars, make sure you check yours.
Husqvarna 16" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Notes |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|-------|
|120 Mark II | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Most popular small Husqvarna |
130 | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Same chain as 120 |
135 Mark II | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Same chain as 120 |
235 | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Same chain as 120 |
240 | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Same chain as 120 |
435 | .325" | .050" | 66 | Different pitch AND drive links |
440 | .325" | .050" | 66 | Same chain as 435 |
Key point for Husqvarna owners: The homeowner saws (120–240) all use the same 3/8" LP .050" 56DL chain. The mid-range saws (435, 440) switch to .325" pitch with 66 drive links.
Echo 16" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Notes |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|-------|
CS-310 | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Same as Husqvarna 120 |
CS-352 | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Same chain |
CS-370 | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 | Same chain |
CS-400 | 3/8" | .050" | 60 | Full 3/8" pitch, different chain |
CS-490 | 3/8" | .050" | 60 | Same chain as CS-400 |
Victa 16" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|
16" 40cc 2-Stroke | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 |
VCE1640 (Cordless) | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 |
Both Victa 16" models use the same common chain, 3/8" LP, .050", 56DL.
Battery/Cordless 16" Chainsaws
| Brand & Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links |
|---------------|-------|-------|-------------|
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" | 3/8" LP | .043" | 56 |
| DeWalt DCCS670 (60V) | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 |
| Makita UC4051A (Electric) | 3/8" | .050" | 56 |
| Ryobi RCS4040C (40cc) | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 |
| Ozito PXCCSS-016 (36V) | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 |
| Worx WG303.1 (Electric) | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 |
| Bosch AKE 40-19 S | 3/8" LP | .050" | 56 |
Watch out: Milwaukee uses .043" gauge while most other battery saws use .050". Don't assume they're the same.
The Most Common 16 Inch Chains
If you strip away the model numbers, there are really only a handful of different 16 inch chains:
Chain 1: 3/8" LP, .050", 56DL
The most common 16 inch chain in Australia. Fits: Husqvarna 120/130/135/235/240, Echo CS-310/352/370, Victa 16" models, DeWalt DCCS670, Ryobi, Ozito, Worx, Bosch, and more.
If you walk into any hardware store and ask for a "16 inch chainsaw chain," this is probably what they'll hand you. Oregon S56 is the most common aftermarket version.
Chain 2: 3/8" LP, .043", 55DL
The Stihl small-saw chain. Fits: Stihl MS 170, MS 171, MS 180, MS 181, MSA 220. Also fits Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" (but with 56DL, not 55).
The .043" gauge is thinner than the .050" gauge, these chains are NOT interchangeable even though they're both called "3/8 LP."
Chain 3: .325", .050", 66DL
The Husqvarna mid-range chain. Fits: Husqvarna 435, 440.
Chain 4: .325", .063", 62DL
The Stihl mid-range chain. Fits: Stihl MS 230, MS 250, MS 251.
Chain 5: .325", .063", 67DL
The Stihl Farm Boss chain (16" bar). Fits: Stihl MS 271, MS 290, MS 291 with a 16" bar.
How to Confirm Your Chain Size
If you're not sure which chain fits your 16 inch saw:
Check the Bar
Flip your saw over and look at the guide bar. Near the tip or where the bar enters the saw body, you'll see numbers stamped into the metal. These tell you the pitch, gauge, and drive link count.
Count the Drive Links
If the bar markings are worn off, count the drive links on your old chain. They're the small tabs on the bottom of the chain that sit in the bar groove.
Check Your Model
Use the tables above, or try our free Chainsaw Chain Finder tool, select your brand and model and it shows you the exact specs.
Standard vs Tungsten Carbide
All the chains listed above are available in standard steel and tungsten carbide versions. The specs (pitch, gauge, drive links) are the same, the difference is the cutting teeth.
Standard chain, cheaper, easier to sharpen with a round file, dulls faster
Tungsten carbide chain, 10x longer edge life, ideal for hardwood and dirty timber, needs a diamond file to sharpen
If you're cutting Australian hardwood or dirty fallen timber, tungsten carbide on a 16 inch saw is a great combination, the smaller bar is easier to handle and the carbide chain means you're not stopping to sharpen every 20 minutes.
Need a 16 inch chain? Browse our chainsaw chains and bars, we stock all common 16 inch sizes in standard and tungsten carbide.
Not sure which one fits? Send us your saw model or a photo of your bar, call 0431 183 421 or email us farmandacreco@gmail.com
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