The bar length affects cutting capacity, safety, maneuverability, and the type of work your chainsaw can handle. Whether you’re a beginner, homeowner, farmer, or professional logger, understanding chainsaw bar lengths and how they match engine sizes is essential.
This guide includes a full chainsaw bar length chart, recommended uses, power requirements, and what size bar is best for different cutting jobs.
Chainsaw Bar Length Chart
| Bar Length | Recommended Engine Size (cc) | Cutting Capacity (single pass) | Best Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 inch | 25–30 cc | Up to 8″ diameter | Light pruning, small branches, yard trimming |
| 12 inch | 25–35 cc | Up to 10″ | Pruning, storm cleanup, small household tasks |
| 14 inch | 30–40 cc | Up to 12″ | General yard work, small logs, limbing |
| 16 inch | 35–45 cc | Up to 14″ | Firewood cutting, small tree felling |
| 18 inch | 40–50 cc | Up to 16″ | Medium trees, firewood, farm use |
| 20 inch | 45–60 cc | Up to 18″ | Felling medium/large trees, land clearing |
| 22 inch | 50–60 cc | Up to 20″ | Larger trees, mid-size hardwoods |
| 24 inch | 60–70 cc | Up to 22″ | Heavy-duty cutting, professional felling |
| 28 inch | 70–85 cc | Up to 26″ | Logging, large hardwood removal |
| 30 inch | 80–95 cc | Up to 28″ | Professional forestry, milling |
| 32 inch | 85–100 cc | Up to 30″ | Very large timber, milling lumber |
| 36 inch | 90–120+ cc | Up to 34″ | Professional milling, giant hardwoods, logging |
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How to Choose the Right Chainsaw Bar Length
1. Match Bar Length to Engine Size
A longer bar requires a more powerful engine.
If the bar is too long for the engine, the saw will overwork, stall, or kick back.
Rule of thumb:
For every additional 2 inches of bar length, you need 5–10 more cc of engine power.
2. Consider the Type of Cutting Work
Light Duty Work
Small branches, pruning, shrubs
Best bar length: 10″–14″
Medium Duty (Home + Farm)
Cutting firewood, felling small/medium trees
Best bar length: 16″–20″
Heavy Duty / Professional Use
Large hardwoods, milling, and forestry
Best bar length: 24″–36″
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3. Safety & Maneuverability
Shorter bars =
✔ Less kickback
✔ Better control
✔ Safer for beginners
Longer bars =
✔ Greater reach
✔ Cuts bigger trees
✘ Harder to control
✘ More kickback risk
If you’re a beginner, avoid jumping straight to a 24″+ bar.
4. Cutting Diameter
Although you can cut logs larger than your bar by cutting from both sides, the ideal log diameter for one-pass cutting matches the bar length minus 2 inches.
Example:
A 16-inch bar easily cuts logs up to 14 inches in one pass.
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Chainsaw Bar Length by Use Case
| Task | Recommended Bar Length |
|---|---|
| Flower pruning, small branches | 10″–12″ |
| Limbing small trees | 12″–14″ |
| Cutting firewood | 16″–18″ |
| Felling small trees | 14″–16″ |
| Felling medium trees (8–14″ diameter) | 16″–20″ |
| Felling large trees | 20″–28″ |
| Heavy logging | 24″–36″ |
| Chainsaw milling | 28″–36″ |
Gas vs. Electric Chainsaw Bar Lengths
Electric Chainsaws
Electric and battery chainsaws typically use shorter bars:
10″–18″ range
They excel at:
- Yard trimming
- Home use
- Occasional firewood cutting
Gas Chainsaws
Gas saws can power larger bars:
16″–36″+
They excel at:
- Logging
- Land clearing
- Milling
- Professional tree felling
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When to Use a Longer Bar (Pros & Cons)
Advantages
- Cuts larger trees
- More reach for thick logs
- Efficient for professional forestry
Disadvantages
- Heavier
- Higher kickback risk
- Requires more power
- More fatigue during prolonged use
When to Use a Shorter Bar (Pros & Cons)
Advantages
- Lighter and easier to handle
- Safer for beginners
- Better for pruning and limbing
- Uses less fuel
Disadvantages
- Limited cutting capacity
- Not ideal for large logs
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FAQs
What chainsaw bar length do I need?
The bar length you need depends on the size of the wood you plan to cut. For light pruning and yard work, 10″–14″ is ideal. For firewood and general property use, choose 16″–20″.
For large trees, forestry, or milling, go with 24″–36″. A good rule is to choose a bar at least 2 inches longer than the diameter of the trees you commonly cut.
How long is a 20 inch bar chainsaw?
A 20-inch bar chainsaw has a usable cutting length of about 18–20 inches, depending on the brand. The total physical length of the bar is slightly longer than the advertised cutting length. This bar size is commonly used for cutting medium to large trees, firewood, and general farm work.
How to measure chainsaw chain length?
To measure chainsaw chain length, you need two numbers:
- Pitch – the distance between three rivets divided by two.
- Drive link count – the total number of drive links around the chain.
Chain length is written like: .325 pitch, 72 drive links, .050 gauge.
Measuring the bar alone won’t give you chain length, you must count the drive links for accuracy.
What is the maximum bar length for a Stihl 462?
The Stihl MS 462 can typically handle bars from 16″ to 28″, depending on the bar type and cutting application. The maximum recommended bar length for most setups is 28 inches, which provides a good balance of performance, power, and control.
Are longer chainsaw bars safer?
Not always. Longer bars offer better reach and can cut large trees, but they are not safer for beginners. Longer bars increase:
- Kickback risk
- Weight and fatigue
- Difficulty in maneuvering
Shorter bars (14″–18″) are usually safer and easier to control for most users.
What is the best size chainsaw for cutting down trees?
For small trees, 14″–16″ works well. For medium trees (8–14″ diameter), choose 16″–20″. For large trees or hardwoods, 24″–28″ is ideal. Professionals often use 28″–36″ bars for large timber. The “best size” depends on tree diameter and your experience level, but for most users, a 20-inch bar offers the best all-around capability.
Final words
Understanding chainsaw bar lengths helps you choose the right size for your cutting tasks, stay safe, and extend the life of your chainsaw. Whether you’re trimming branches with a 12-inch bar or milling timber with a 36-inch bar, using the correct size ensures better performance and safer operation.
If you’re unsure, a 16″–20″ bar is the best all-around choice for most homeowners and farm users.
