How to Measure Chainsaw Bar

Your guide bar's length is represented by the cutting length (or "called length"), which is different from its total or overall length. The cutting length is the distance from the front of the saw to the tip of the guide bar, rounded to the nearest inch.

Tip: If you have an Oregon bar, look at the part number stamped on the motor end. The first two digits, such as 16, tell you the called length.

 

How Do I Measure the Length of My Saw Chain?

The length of your chain is determined by counting the number of drive links in your chain. A drive link is the saw chain component that guides the chain through the guide bar rails and around the sprocket. It is very important that the number of drive links are a match for the guide bar you are using since your chainsaw won’t function properly otherwise. 

The drive link count is included in the saw chain part number, after the chain type designation (example, 20BPX066, H66). Common examples of drive length count are 70 for "D" or "72" chain and 56 for "S" or "91" chain.

Note: Your drive link count correlates to your guide bar’s overall size, which can vary by manufacturer. Oregon bars may take a different drive link count than that of another brand.



 

What is the Saw Chain Product Family?

At Oregon, we recognize that the needs of woodcutters—whether professionals or novices—are as varied as the environments they work in.

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That’s why we’ve organized our saw chains and guide bars into distinct product families, each with key characteristics tailored to specific user preferences. These families make it easy to choose the right chain and bar for your everyday tasks, simplifying the process of understanding the differences between our products and ensuring you get the best fit for your cutting needs.