Tenkara Line Size Conversion Chart?

[BH Spey]

Does anyone have a conversion chart to convert Tenkare level line sizes into 0.0XX inch / X.X lb Mono/Floro line sizes/weights?

[CM_Stewart]

The most popular line sizes used for tenkara are 3, 3.5, 4 and 4.5.
The diameters are as follows (conversions to inches are rough and subject to rounding error)
Line size - Diameter
3 - .285mm - .011"
3.5 - .310mm - .012"
4 - .330mm - .013"
4.5 - .350mm - .014"
5 - .370mm - .015"

Tenkara line packages do not list breaking strength (since the light tippet is always what breaks first, to a Japanese tenkara angler it would be like asking what is the breaking strengh for a 4 wt fly line - who cares - it will never break). However, because you can use fluorocarbon spinning line for tenkara, and in the US at least, it is sold by breaking strength, there is a reason to ask. The rough equivalent is to take the Japanese line size and multiply by 4, so size 3 line is roughly 12# test. Size 4 is roughly 16# test.

[BH Spey]

Thanks for the info Chris, that helps a lot!

PS - Great website you've got Chris! It was the deciding factor on my recent purchase of a Tenkara rods for my son and I, and thanks for the Tip Grip you threw in with my recent order of a pair of line holder spools!

[LynnMCF]

I sat down one day and made out my own chart to compare not only Tenkara/Japanese line numbers but also compare the pound test of a good quality fluorocarbon and also compare that to what Rio says it's tippets test out at. It left me skeptical of stated pound test for tippet materials.

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line Diameters
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Japan -- mm. -- inches - Tippet* - Lb. Test** - Rio Tippet***
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# 7? = .435mm = .017" ............... 30 lb
# 6 = .405mm = .0159" ............... 25 lb
# 5 = .370mm = .0146" ................20 lb
# 4 = .330mm = .013" ..................16 lb
# 3.5 = .310mm = .0122" ............ 14 lb
# 3 = .285mm = .011" -- 0X .........12 lb ........ 15 lb
# 2.5 = .260mm = .010" - 1X ........10 lb ........ 13 lb
# 2 = .235mm = .009" --- 2X ..........8 lb ..........12 lb
# 1.5 = .205mm = .008" - 3X ......... 6 lb .......... 8.5 lb
# ? = .190mm = .0075" -- 3.5X .........5 lb
# ? = .175mm = .0068" -- 4X .........4.5 lb .........7 lb
# 1 = .165mm = .0065" - 4.5X ........4 lb
# ? = .157mm = .0062" -- 5X ..........3.5 lb.........5 lb
# ? = .148mm = .0058" -- 5X ..........3 lb
# ? = .128mm = .005" --- 6X ...........2 lb .......... 3.6 lb
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* Tippet Size is approximation
** Lb. Test is that of Sunline Shooter Line.
*** Stated Lb. Test of Rio Fluoroflex Plus Tippet Material

[CM_Stewart]

Japanese line size number 1 is .165mm. Sunline size 1 line is rated at 4lb. Varivas Master Spec fluorocarbon tippet that is .165mm is described as 4X and is rated at 5.1 lb. Their 3X is size 1.5 and is rated at 7.2lb. Varivas 2X is size 2 and is rated at 9.6 lb. 1X is size 2.5 and is 11.2 lb.

[LynnMCF]

Thanks Chris, I changed that Japanese size 1 line.