ASME B36.10M-2015 covers the standardization of dimensions of welded and seamless wrought steel pipe for high or low temperatures and pressures. The word pipe is used, as distinguished from tube, to apply to tubular products of dimensions commonly used for pipeline and piping systems. Pipe NPS 12 (DN 300) and smaller have outside diameters numerically larger than their corresponding sizes. In contrast, the outside diameters of tubes are numerically identical to the size number for all sizes.

The size of all pipe is identified by the nominal pipe size. The manufacture of pipe NPS ⅛ (DN 6) to NPS 12 (DN 300), inclusive, is based on a standardized outside diameter (O.D.). This O.D. was originally selected so that pipe with a standard O.D. and having a wall thickness that was typical of the period would have an inside diameter (I.D.) approximately equal to the nominal size. Although there is no such relation between the existing standard thickness - O.D. and nominal size - these nominal sizes and standard O.D.s continue in use as "standard." The manufacture of pipe NPS 14 (DN 350) and larger proceeds on the basis of an O.D. corresponding to the nominal size.