{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "ball-chain-sizes",
 "name": "Ball chain sizes #2 to #30: ball (bead) diameter and the connector hole sizes (#3, #6, #10, #13 and more)",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Mechanisms",
 "group": "Mechanism parts",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What are the ball sizes of #3, #6, #10 and #13 ball chain, and which connector fits?",
 "tags": [
  "ball chain",
  "bead chain",
  "pull chain",
  "dog tag chain",
  "lamp pull chain",
  "ball chain connector",
  "#6 ball chain",
  "#10 ball chain",
  "tool"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "ball chain sizes",
  "#6 ball chain diameter",
  "#3 ball chain size mm",
  "ball chain connector size chart",
  "#10 ball chain ball diameter",
  "#13 ball chain size",
  "bead chain size chart",
  "dog tag chain size",
  "ball chain pitch",
  "lamp pull chain size",
  "ball chain connector hole size"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": null,
  "width": null,
  "height": null
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "not-scanned",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 0,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/ball-chain-sizes/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/ball-chain-sizes/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "McMaster-Carr's bead-chain tables (trade size, bead diameter, link mounting-hole diameters) cross-checked against Lucky Line's #3, #6, #8, #10 listings; numbers only",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": null,
   "width": null,
   "height": null
  },
  "notes": [
   "Ball chain (also bead chain) is sold by a trade size number. McMaster-Carr prints the bead diameter per size: #2 and #3 3/32 in, #6 1/8 in, #8 5/32 in, #10 3/16 in, #13 1/4 in, #20 3/8 in, #30 1/2 in. Lucky Line's listings agree for #3 (3/32), #6 (1/8), #8 (5/32) and #10 (3/16), and Wikipedia calls #3 a 2.4 mm steel ball chain (3/32 in = 2.38 mm). An Eaton lamp-chain listing gives 0.13 in for #6 without saying whether that is the ball or the chain, so it is not used.",
   "Connectors are matched by trade size: McMaster sells connectors, loop links and couplings by the same size number, and Lucky Line's listing says the connector 'matches' the chain size; neither printed a size-by-size chart of connector body dimensions. The hole diameters in the table are McMaster's mounting-hole diameters for its screw-mount and push-mount links, as printed, and vary by material and finish.",
   "Ball spacing (pitch) is not given in any source read, so it is not on this page; neither are the chain's overall width or the connector body. McMaster also lists bead-chain loop links (4, 6, 8 and 12 in), lanyards (3 to 18 in, 3/16 in bead) and tag rings (ID 1-7/16 to 3-7/8 in, 1/8 in bead); not tabulated here.",
   "No file: with the pitch unpublished, a chain drawing would be invented. McMaster-Carr sells ball chain and fittings with per-part STEP; linked, not copied."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "trade size",
    "bead diameter",
    "screw-mount link hole (in)",
    "push-mount link hole (in)",
    "source"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "#2",
     "3/32 in (2.38 mm, computed)",
     "not listed",
     "0.13 (nickel-plated brass) in",
     "McMaster-Carr"
    ],
    [
     "#3",
     "3/32 in (2.38 mm, computed)",
     "0.13 in",
     "0.13 in",
     "McMaster-Carr; Lucky Line agrees"
    ],
    [
     "#6",
     "1/8 in (3.17 mm, computed)",
     "0.13 in",
     "0.16 in",
     "McMaster-Carr; Lucky Line agrees"
    ],
    [
     "#8",
     "5/32 in (3.97 mm, computed)",
     "0.19 (nickel-plated brass) in",
     "0.22 in",
     "McMaster-Carr; Lucky Line agrees"
    ],
    [
     "#10",
     "3/16 in (4.76 mm, computed)",
     "0.19 in",
     "0.22 in",
     "McMaster-Carr; Lucky Line agrees"
    ],
    [
     "#13",
     "1/4 in (6.35 mm, computed)",
     "0.19 in",
     "0.31 (nickel-plated brass) in",
     "McMaster-Carr"
    ],
    [
     "#20",
     "3/8 in (9.52 mm, computed)",
     "0.26 (nickel-plated brass) in",
     "not listed",
     "McMaster-Carr"
    ],
    [
     "#30",
     "1/2 in (12.70 mm, computed)",
     "not listed",
     "not listed",
     "McMaster-Carr"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Ball chain sizes #2 to #30: ball (bead) diameter and the connector hole sizes (#3, #6, #10, #13 and more) — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/ball-chain-sizes/  (sheet CC BY 4.0)\nBasis: McMaster-Carr's bead-chain tables (trade size, bead diameter, link mounting-hole diameters) cross-checked against Lucky Line's #3, #6, #8, #10 listings; numbers only\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- Ball chain (also bead chain) is sold by a trade size number. McMaster-Carr prints the bead diameter per size: #2 and #3 3/32 in, #6 1/8 in, #8 5/32 in, #10 3/16 in, #13 1/4 in, #20 3/8 in, #30 1/2 in. Lucky Line's listings agree for #3 (3/32), #6 (1/8), #8 (5/32) and #10 (3/16), and Wikipedia calls #3 a 2.4 mm steel ball chain (3/32 in = 2.38 mm). An Eaton lamp-chain listing gives 0.13 in for #6 without saying whether that is the ball or the chain, so it is not used.\n- Connectors are matched by trade size: McMaster sells connectors, loop links and couplings by the same size number, and Lucky Line's listing says the connector 'matches' the chain size; neither printed a size-by-size chart of connector body dimensions. The hole diameters in the table are McMaster's mounting-hole diameters for its screw-mount and push-mount links, as printed, and vary by material and finish.\n- Ball spacing (pitch) is not given in any source read, so it is not on this page; neither are the chain's overall width or the connector body. McMaster also lists bead-chain loop links (4, 6, 8 and 12 in), lanyards (3 to 18 in, 3/16 in bead) and tag rings (ID 1-7/16 to 3-7/8 in, 1/8 in bead); not tabulated here.\n- No file: with the pitch unpublished, a chain drawing would be invented. McMaster-Carr sells ball chain and fittings with per-part STEP; linked, not copied.\n\ntrade size  bead diameter  screw-mount link hole (in)  push-mount link hole (in)  source\n#2  3/32 in (2.38 mm, computed)  not listed  0.13 (nickel-plated brass) in  McMaster-Carr\n#3  3/32 in (2.38 mm, computed)  0.13 in  0.13 in  McMaster-Carr; Lucky Line agrees\n#6  1/8 in (3.17 mm, computed)  0.13 in  0.16 in  McMaster-Carr; Lucky Line agrees\n#8  5/32 in (3.97 mm, computed)  0.19 (nickel-plated brass) in  0.22 in  McMaster-Carr; Lucky Line agrees\n#10  3/16 in (4.76 mm, computed)  0.19 in  0.22 in  McMaster-Carr; Lucky Line agrees\n#13  1/4 in (6.35 mm, computed)  0.19 in  0.31 (nickel-plated brass) in  McMaster-Carr\n#20  3/8 in (9.52 mm, computed)  0.26 (nickel-plated brass) in  not listed  McMaster-Carr\n#30  1/2 in (12.70 mm, computed)  not listed  not listed  McMaster-Carr\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- McMaster-Carr: Ball (bead) chain, trade sizes 3 to 30, with bead diameter and connector hole diameters (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution) — STEP, IGES, PDF — McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution [verify license at link] — https://www.mcmaster.com/ball-chain\n- McMaster-Carr: Ball chain fittings (connectors, loop links, couplings) (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution) — STEP, IGES, PDF — McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution [verify license at link] — https://www.mcmaster.com/ball-chain-fittings\n- Lucky Line (listed by Mr. Lock): Ball chain #3, #6, #8, #10: ball diameter per size (3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 in); connectors and couplings sold by size — web — Retailer page; numbers only — https://mrlock.com/brand-index/lucky-line/key-tags-chains-and-rings/chain-and-connectors\n- Wikipedia: Ball chain — web — CC BY-SA 4.0 (text) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_chain\n\nNo true-size file yet: the published figures do not fix the whole shape; a measured scan is planned.\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=ball-chain-sizes\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "McMaster-Carr",
   "title": "Ball (bead) chain, trade sizes 3 to 30, with bead diameter and connector hole diameters (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution)",
   "url": "https://www.mcmaster.com/ball-chain",
   "formats": [
    "STEP",
    "IGES",
    "PDF"
   ],
   "license": "McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution",
   "license_verified": false,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "McMaster-Carr",
   "title": "Ball chain fittings (connectors, loop links, couplings) (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution)",
   "url": "https://www.mcmaster.com/ball-chain-fittings",
   "formats": [
    "STEP",
    "IGES",
    "PDF"
   ],
   "license": "McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution",
   "license_verified": false,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Lucky Line (listed by Mr. Lock)",
   "title": "Ball chain #3, #6, #8, #10: ball diameter per size (3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 in); connectors and couplings sold by size",
   "url": "https://mrlock.com/brand-index/lucky-line/key-tags-chains-and-rings/chain-and-connectors",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Retailer page; numbers only",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Wikipedia",
   "title": "Ball chain",
   "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_chain",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0 (text)",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "not-scanned",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "split-key-rings",
  "silicone-tube",
  "eye-bolts-din-580"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no tolerance added)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no tolerance added. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn. Typical accuracy by process and ISO 286 fits: https://xemstudio.com/tolerances/",
 "mating": [],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "What size is #6 ball chain?",
   "a": "Bead diameter 1/8 in (3.18 mm), per McMaster-Carr and Lucky Line. Its connectors are the #6 ones; McMaster's screw-mount link hole for #6 is 0.13 in, push-mount 0.16 in."
  },
  {
   "q": "What is the ball size of #10 and #13 ball chain?",
   "a": "#10 is 3/16 in (4.76 mm) and #13 is 1/4 in (6.35 mm), per McMaster-Carr. No source read gave the spacing between balls."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": null,
 "offers": [],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/ball-chain-sizes/index.md"
}