Whether you need a belt repair or replacement, learning how to measure your belt allows you to find the correct conveyor belt size and type for your operation. Continue reading to discover how to determine conveyor belt width, length, and more.
Belt Type
Measuring conveyor belt widths and lengths will vary depending on many factors. That’s why identifying the type of belt you’re using is crucial when it comes to navigating conveyor belt sizes. In the following sections, we’ll cover the most common types of wire mesh belts and their unique characteristics.
Spiral Woven Mesh Belts
As one of the most popular and versatile belt types, spiral woven belts suit various industries. There are many types of spiral woven belts, all with unique advantages, including but not limited to:
- Balanced Weave. Popular in a variety of industries, balanced weave belts are a series of left and right-hand wire mesh spirals joined by a connecting rod or crimped rod.
- Compound Balanced Weave. Typically used in the heat treatment industry and food industry, compound balanced weave belts consist of left and right-hand spirals compounded together to form a tight conveying surface.
- Double Balanced Weave Belts. Made up of a series of left and right-hand wire mesh spirals that have two interwoven left-hand spirals and two interwoven right-hand spirals, these belts offer a stronger edge compared to balanced weave belts. Double balanced weave belts are often used for airflow or where clearance is needed for cleaning purposes.
Flat Wire Belts
Known for their great airflow and drainage capabilities, flat wire belts are open-style flat strip belts connected with a straight rod. Their design makes them easy to clean and highly durable. Flat wire belts are available in standard and heavy-duty versions with either clinched or welded selvage. Additionally, they come in a variety of materials with positive drive sprockets.
Flat Flex Belts
Offering the lightest weight and thinnest positive drive in the conveyor belt industry, flat flex belts also have an open-area design. These belts are not only economical, but also known for being easy to clean and USDA-acceptable, making them especially popular in the food industry.
Chain Belts
Chain belts are often positively driven by sprockets mounted on shafts. The primary advantage of this chain-driven approach is its ability to maintain straight tracking, particularly within ovens or furnaces. This makes them common in the food processing and heat treatment industries.
Belt Material
Before we dive into how to determine conveyor belt sizes, it’s essential to determine the proper belt material you’re currently using. Conveyor belt materials can be categorized by the temperatures they can withstand. Typically, these are broken down into low, medium, and high temperatures.
Understanding what materials can and cannot withstand the requirements of your industry helps you choose a conveyor belt best suited for your environment. Furthermore, getting help from experienced professionals can go a long way in ensuring you don’t run into belt problems in the future.
Interested in learning more? Download our belt materials chart or contact a belt specialist today.
Low Temperature
The first category of belt materials covers processes that range from 600℉ and under. These are known as low-temperature materials and include:
- Carbon Steel
- 430 Stainless Steel
- Galvanized Steel
Medium Temperature
Materials that can withstand temperatures ranging from 600 ℉ to 1250 ℉ are considered medium-temperature. These are often types of stainless steel, including:
- 304 Stainless Steel
- 316 and 316Ti Stainless Steel
High Temperature
Conveyor belt materials in high temperatures vary more than those in the low or medium categories. Withstanding temperatures ranging from 1250 ℉ and higher, these include:
- 314 Stainless Steel
- 3519 CB (NB)
- Inconel 600 and 601
- Inconel 601 GC
Conveyor Belt Size Guide
Conveyor belts can generally be any size, but standard conveyor belt sizes range from 5 to 500 feet long and 2 to 180+ inches wide. If you need a custom belt size, we recommend talking to specialists who can help you determine the exact measurements of your repair or replacement.
Below, we have broken down how to measure your belt by type, with links to our measuring resources and some of the products we offer.
Spiral Woven Conveyor Belt Sizes
To properly identify and measure spiral woven conveyor belts, follow these steps:
- Measure the loops across the conveyor belt width in 12” increments.
- Measure the spirals down the conveyor belt length in 12” increments.
- Measure the connecting rod wire diameter.
- Measure the spiral wire diameter.
We offer a variety of balanced weave options including:
- B-18-15-12
- B-24-15-10
- B-30-10-6/8
- B-40-10-8/10
- B-42-24-12
- B-48-48-18
- B-60-60-18
- B-72-60-16
- B-110-36-18
Need help to measure your balanced weave belt? Download our step-by-step guide or contact a belt specialist today.
We offer a variety of compound balanced weave options including:
- CB-3-28-72-14
- CB-3-30-56-12/14
- CB-5-28-90.5-16
- CB-3-56-126-18
- CB-5-27-84-14-16x18F
- CB-3-42-72-14/16F
- CB-3-96-186-21/23
Need help to measure your compound balanced weave belt? Download our step-by-step guide or contact a belt specialist today.
We offer a variety of double balanced weave options including:
- DB-18-7-6/8
- DB-30-10-8/10
- DB-24-24-10
- DB-60-32-18
Need help to measure your double balanced weave belt? Download our step-by-step guide or contact a belt specialist today.
Flat Wire Conveyor Belt Sizes
To properly identify and measure a flat wire conveyor belt, follow these steps:
- Measure the overall conveyor belt width, including the rods.
- Count the number of openings across the width of the belt. This will always be an odd number.
- Measure the width of the second opening from the belt edge. Be sure to measure at the middle of the opening.
- Measure the width of the second opening from the belt edge
- Measure the longitudinal pitch of the belt.
As we mentioned before, the belt gauge for flat wire belts will either be standard or heavy-duty. There are 2 ways to determine this:
Determine the height of the strip by placing the belt flat on a table and measuring from the table to the top of the belt. A standard belt will measure ⅜” and a heavy-duty belt will measure ½”.
Determine the diameter of the connecting rod. Standard-duty rods can be 0.105” or 0.120” and heavy-duty rods are 0.192”.
We offer a variety of flat wire belt options including:
- 1.2 x 1 SD
- 1 x 1 SD
- 1 x 1 HD
Need help to measure your flat wire belt? Download our step-by-step guide or contact a belt specialist today.
Flat Flex Conveyor Belt Sizes
To properly identify and measure a flat flex conveyor belt, follow these steps:
- Measure the overall conveyor belt width to the nearest 1/16”, from outside edge to outside edge.
- Determine the mesh size (this is the strands per foot (SPF) multiplied by the wire diameter).
- Count the number of rectangular openings (or spaces) across the width of the belt.
- Check to see if you are using a C-Cure Edge, single loop edge, or double loop edge.
We offer a variety of flat flex belt options including:
- FF 42 x .062
- FF 24 x .072
Need help to measure your flat flex belt? Download our step-by-step guide or contact a belt specialist today.
Chain Belt Conveyor Belt Sizes
To properly identify and measure a chain belt, follow these steps:
- Measure the overall width from the outside of the chain.
- Measure the width from the chain center to the chain center.
- Measure the width from the outsides of the mesh.
- Measure the chain pitch by measuring the distance from link to link.
Note: We can determine what chain you are using based on the pitch. However, some chains have the specific chain number engraved into the side of the chain.
- Measure the rod pitch from one rod to the next across the width of the belt.
- Measure the rod diameter.
- Roller chain belt
- Larger roller chain belt
- Pintle/drag chain
- Roller chain with CB belt
- ¾” U link belt
Need help measuring your chain belt? Contact a belt specialist today.
At Wire-Mesh, we’re dedicated to helping you choose the right conveyor belt size and type for your needs — no matter how specific. Our team will help you navigate your options and find the perfect fit.
Looking for belt repair or replacement services? See how we can help today.