Updated: July 23, 2026

PVC Pipe Fittings Explained: Types, Sizes & How to Choose the Right One

Quick Summary

PVC pipe fittings are the connectors that join, redirect, branch, and terminate pipe runs. The main types include elbows (for changing direction), tees and wyes (for branching), couplings and unions (for joining), reducers (for changing size), and end caps and valves. Choosing the right fitting means matching the type, size, and class to your pipe. This guide explains every common fitting and how to select it.

Whether you’re plumbing a house or building a drainage system, knowing your fittings makes the job faster and leak-free.

A pipe by itself is just a straight line. It’s the fittings that turn a pile of pipe into a working plumbing or drainage system – bending it around corners, splitting it into branches, joining lengths together, and connecting it to taps, tanks, and fixtures.

Get the fittings right and your system is fast to build and leak-free. Get them wrong and you’re back at the hardware store mid-job. Here’s a complete rundown of the common fitting types and how to choose them.

Elbows: Changing Direction

PVC Pipe Elbow Fittings 90 and 45 Degree

Elbows are the most common fitting – they change the direction of a pipe run. The two standard angles are:

90° elbow: Makes a right-angle turn. Used where a pipe needs to change direction sharply, such as at wall corners.
45° elbow: Makes a gentler turn. Common in drainage systems where a smoother flow angle reduces blockages.

Elbows come in both equal (same size both ends) and reducing (different sizes) versions.

Tees & Wyes: Branching the Line

When you need to split one pipe into two, or join a branch into a main line, you use a tee or a wye:

Equal tee: A T-shaped fitting that branches a pipe at 90°, with all three openings the same size.
Reducing tee: A tee where the branch outlet is a smaller size than the main run – common for connecting a smaller feed off a larger main.
Wye (Y) fitting: Branches at a 45° angle rather than 90°. Preferred in drainage for smoother flow into the main line.

Couplings, Unions & Sockets: Joining Lengths

PVC Pipe Coupling Union and Socket Fittings

These fittings connect two pipes end to end:

Coupling / socket: A short sleeve that joins two pipes of the same diameter in a straight line.
Union: A three-part fitting that allows the joint to be unscrewed and disconnected later – useful where you may need to dismantle the system for maintenance.
Reducing coupling: Joins two pipes of different diameters.

Reducers & Adapters: Changing Size or Type

When your pipe run needs to change diameter or connect to a different type of fitting or thread:

Reducer: Steps a pipe down (or up) from one diameter to another – for example from 4″ to 2″.
Threaded adapter: Converts a solvent-weld (glue) socket to a threaded connection, allowing PVC to connect to metal fittings, taps, or valves.
Male/female adapters: Provide the correct thread orientation to mate with other components.

End Caps, Plugs & Valves

These fittings terminate or control the flow in a pipe run:

End cap: Seals the open end of a pipe permanently.
Plug: Seals a fitting socket, often used for inspection points or future connections.
Valves (gate, ball): Allow you to control or shut off flow within the system.

For water control components, browse our range of valves alongside your fittings order.

How to Choose the Right Fitting

Selecting fittings correctly comes down to three checks:

1. Match the Size

The fitting must match your pipe’s diameter exactly. A 4″ pipe needs a 4″ fitting (or a reducer if changing size). Mismatched sizes won’t seal properly.

2. Match the Class/Pressure

For pressurised systems, use fittings rated to the same pressure class as your pipe. An under-rated fitting is the weak point that fails first.

3. Match the Jointing Method

Decide between solvent-weld (glue) fittings for a permanent bond or threaded/push-fit for connections you may need to dismantle. See our guide on joining PVC pipe for the full method.

Conclusion

Fittings are what make a piping system work – and choosing the right type, size, and class ensures your project goes together quickly and stays leak-free for years. Plan your fitting list before you start: count your direction changes (elbows), branches (tees/wyes), joins (couplings), and terminations (caps/valves), and match everything to your pipe size and class.

At NY Hardware, we stock a complete range of PVC pipe fittings to match our full pipe range – elbows, tees, couplings, reducers, adapters, caps, and more, in all common sizes and classes.