What Are Radiator Pipe Centres?

What Are Pipe Centres?

Pipe centres are simply the distance between the two pipes that connect your radiator to the heating system. It sounds like a small detail, but if you get it wrong, your new radiator may not line up with the existing pipework. That usually means more time, more cost, and sometimes ripping up floors or walls.

How Do You Work Them Out?

Let’s take our example radiator:

  • H660mm × W735mm × D140mm

Here’s the general rule:

  • Start with the width (735mm).

  • Pipe centres are usually 40–50mm less than the total width (to account for the inlets and valves).

  • That means this radiator’s pipe centres would be around 685mm to 695mm.

But it’s not always that straightforward. Different radiator styles can follow different rules:

  • Panel radiators usually follow the “width minus 50mm” guideline.

  • Column radiators often match the overall width exactly.

  • Vertical radiators may have their pipe centres underneath rather than on the sides.

Why It Matters

Imagine finishing a bathroom renovation, only to find the pipe centres don’t match your new radiator. Even a difference of 20mm can mean extra plumbing work, extra cost, and delays.

Getting the pipe centres right from the start avoids all of that.

The Smart Approach

Before ordering a radiator, always check the manufacturer’s technical drawing for the exact pipe centres. This is the most reliable source of truth. Retailer listings usually only give the headline dimensions, but the spec sheet tells you exactly where the connections sit.

The Bottom Line

Pipe centres may not be the most exciting detail when choosing a radiator, but they’re one of the most important. Spending two minutes to double-check them can save hours of work and unexpected costs later on.

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