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Stihl MS 170 / MS 180 chain size
Stihl's entry-level saws. Stock 16″ setup: 3/8″ Picco low-profile, .043″ gauge, 55 drive links — Stihl 61 PMM3.
The MS 170 and MS 180 (including C-BE variants) are Stihl's lightest homeowner saws, sold with 12″, 14″ and — most commonly in recent years — 16″ bars. All use Stihl's Picco Micro Mini low-profile chain in .043″ gauge. The 16″ specification below is confirmed from the OEM chain listing; the shorter bars share the pitch and gauge but not the drive-link count, which is why we list the 16″ row as fact and point the other lengths at your bar stamp.
Chain specifications by fitted bar
| Bar | Pitch | Gauge | Drive links | File | OEM chain | Equivalent chains |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16″ VERIFIED | 3/8″ Low Profile | .043″ (1.1 mm) | 55 | 5/32″ (4.0 mm) | Stihl 61 PMM3 55 — part 3610 005 0055 | Oregon 90PX055 Carlton N4C-55 Husqvarna H38-55 |
| The stock fitment for current MS 170 / MS 180 saws. Discontinued pre-2023 examples on the older .050″ Picco setup exist — if your stamp reads .050″ / 1.3 mm, your chain is the 63 PM3 type instead. | ||||||
| 12″ / 14″ VERIFY ON BAR STAMP | 3/8″ Low Profile | .043″ (1.1 mm) | Verify on your bar stamp | 5/32″ (4.0 mm) | Stihl 61 PMM3 (length by drive links) | Oregon 90PX series |
| Both lengths were factory options. We have not traced their drive-link counts to an OEM listing we can cite, so we do not print a number — the stamp on the bar tail states it. | ||||||
Sources: 16″ spec from a Stihl dealer listing of OEM part 3610 005 0055 (61 PMM3 55: 3/8″ pitch, .043″ gauge, 55 drive links; fitments include MS 170, MS 171, MS 180, MS 181) and cross-reference listings naming Oregon 90PX, Carlton N4C and Husqvarna H38 equivalents — checked Oct 2026.
Source list (2)
- Stihl dealer listing — OEM part 3610 005 0055 — 61 PMM3 55 (3/8″ pitch, .043″ gauge, 55 drive links; fitments include MS 170, MS 171, MS 180, MS 181) [dealer listing · retrieved 2026-10-23]
- Dealer cross-reference listings — Cross-references naming Oregon 90PX, Carlton N4C and Husqvarna H38 equivalents [dealer listing · retrieved 2026-10-23]
The 60-second check for this saw
- Take the clutch cover off (two nuts) and lift the bar out.
- Read the stamp on the bar tail: length, pitch, gauge, and the drive-link count on most bars.
- Match all three numbers to the table above. If your stamp disagrees with the table, your saw is wearing a non-standard bar — order to the stamp, and tell us via the contact page so we can note the variant.
Full method, with diagrams: How to verify your chain size · Chain identification chart
Match these three numbers at any of the retailers below — the brand on the box matters less than the numbers on it:
- 16″ bar: 3/8″ Low Profile, .043″ (1.1 mm), 55 drive links — look for Oregon 90PX055 or OEM Stihl 61 PMM3 55 — part 3610 005 0055.
- Oregon Products — the chain maker's own site: full spec data for every Oregon loop, sold through its dealers.
- Acme Tools — US outdoor-power retailer carrying Oregon chain.
- Amazon — widest selection of Oregon and OEM loops in the US and Canada; check the seller's stated pitch/gauge/drive links against the table above.
- Your local saw dealer — the right call for genuine Stihl chain, which Stihl sells through dealers rather than online.
Price guide from listings checked 23 Oct 2026: a single Oregon loop was listed at about $21.43 and 3-packs at about $47.94–$67.99. These are dated examples, not live prices — the checkout price is the real one. The links above are plain retailer links with no affiliate tags and earn no commission: our disclosure.
Questions about the Stihl MS 170 / MS 180 chain
What size chain does a Stihl MS 170 / MS 180 take?
16″ bar: 3/8″ Low Profile pitch, .043″ (1.1 mm) gauge, 55 drive links (Stihl 61 PMM3 55 — part 3610 005 0055). Other bar lengths are listed as "verify on your bar stamp" because we only print drive-link counts we can trace to a citable source. Always confirm pitch, gauge and drive links on your own bar stamp.
How do I check the chain size on my Stihl MS 170 / MS 180?
Take the clutch cover off, lift the bar out and read the stamp on the bar tail: it shows bar length, pitch, gauge and usually the drive-link count. Match all three numbers; if your stamp disagrees with a chart, order to the stamp.
What file size sharpens the Stihl MS 170 / MS 180 chain?
5/32″ (4.0 mm) round file, depending on the pitch of the chain fitted. File size follows pitch: 3/8 inch low-profile takes 5/32 inch, .325 inch takes 3/16 inch, and standard 3/8 inch takes 7/32 inch.