H Timing Belts (1/2" Pitch)
H timing belts are the heavy-duty workhorse of the imperial trapezoidal family. With a 1/2" (12.7 mm) pitch, H belts handle significantly higher torque loads than L pitch (3/8") belts and are the standard choice for large industrial drives, machine tools, compressors, pumps, and heavy conveyor systems. Texas Belting stocks H timing belts from Gates, Continental, Bando, and Diesel Belting in widths from 3/4" to 3" with same-day shipping from Houston.
Pitch: 1/2" (12.7 mm) | Tooth height: 0.100" (2.54 mm) | Profile: Trapezoidal (imperial)
Standard widths: 3/4" (075), 1" (100), 1-1/2" (150), 2" (200), 3" (300)
Part number format: [pitch length in tenths of inch]H[width in hundredths] | Example: 700H100 = 70.0" pitch length, 1" wide
Material: Neoprene (standard), urethane (FDA/chemical resistant) | Tensile cord: Fiberglass
H Timing Belt Part Number Decoder
H timing belt part numbers follow the imperial trapezoidal format: pitch length in tenths of an inch, the letter H, then width in hundredths of an inch.
| Part Number | Pitch Length | Width | Teeth | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 270H150 | 27.0" | 1-1/2" | 54 | Medium industrial drives, machine tool spindles |
| 300H100 | 30.0" | 1" | 60 | General industrial, compressor drives |
| 390H100 | 39.0" | 1" | 78 | Pump drives, large blowers |
| 480H150 | 48.0" | 1-1/2" | 96 | Heavy conveyor drives, machine tools |
| 700H100 | 70.0" | 1" | 140 | Long center distance drives, large conveyors |
How to decode any H part number: Take the number before "H" and divide by 10 to get the pitch length in inches. The number after "H" divided by 100 gives the width in inches. Example: 510H200 = 51.0" pitch length, 2" wide, 102 teeth (51.0 / 0.5 = 102). For help decoding any part number, see our Timing Belt Pitch Chart. If the part number is worn or missing, see our How to Measure a Timing Belt guide.
H Timing Belt Width Guide
H belts are available in wider options than XL or L profiles because they serve heavier drives. Width directly determines the belt's torque capacity at H pitch.
| Width Code | Width (Imperial) | Width (Metric) | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 075 | 3/4" | 19.1 mm | Medium duty drives where space is limited. Least common H width. |
| 100 | 1" | 25.4 mm | Most popular H width. General industrial, compressors, pumps, machine tools. |
| 150 | 1-1/2" | 38.1 mm | Heavy duty drives, large conveyors, high-torque applications. |
| 200 | 2" | 50.8 mm | Very heavy duty. Mining equipment, steel processing, large compressors. |
| 300 | 3" | 76.2 mm | Maximum H width. Heaviest industrial loads. Often custom order. |
H vs. L vs. 8M: Which Pitch Do You Need?
H pitch (12.7 mm) overlaps with L pitch (9.525 mm) on the lighter end and with 8M HTD (8.0 mm) on the performance side. This comparison helps determine whether H is the right choice or if another pitch is more appropriate for your application.
| Factor | L (3/8" / 9.525 mm) | H (1/2" / 12.7 mm) | 8M HTD (8.0 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth shape | Trapezoidal | Trapezoidal | Curvilinear (rounded) |
| Load capacity per tooth | Medium | High | Higher than H (better stress distribution) |
| Torque range | Light to medium duty | Medium to heavy duty | Medium to heavy duty |
| Minimum pulley size | Smaller (fits compact drives) | Larger (requires more space) | Medium (smaller than H for same load) |
| Noise at speed | Moderate | Higher (larger tooth engagement) | Lower (smooth curvilinear mesh) |
| Backlash | Moderate | Higher (larger tooth clearance) | Lower |
| Best for | HVAC, printing, textile, moderate industrial | Heavy compressors, pumps, machine tools, large conveyors | Heavy industrial where lower noise and better performance are needed |
| When to choose this pitch | Loads too light for H. Pulleys too small for H. | Existing H equipment. Heavy loads. Legacy drives. | New heavy-duty designs. Upgrading from H for better performance. |
When to Step Up: H vs. XH and XXH
If H pitch does not provide enough torque capacity for your drive, the next steps up in the imperial trapezoidal family are XH (7/8" / 22.225 mm pitch) and XXH (1-1/4" / 31.75 mm pitch). These are used in the heaviest industrial applications including mining, steel, and large marine drives.
| Profile | Pitch | Tooth Height | Typical Load Class | Common Widths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | 1/2" (12.7 mm) | 0.100" | Heavy duty industrial | 3/4" to 3" |
| XH | 7/8" (22.225 mm) | 0.200" | Very heavy duty | 2" to 4" |
| XXH | 1-1/4" (31.75 mm) | 0.250" | Maximum load trapezoidal | 2" to 5" |
For very heavy-duty new designs, also consider 14M HTD (14 mm pitch curvilinear) as a modern alternative to XH. The 14M profile delivers comparable load capacity with better tooth stress distribution, lower noise, and smaller pulleys.
H Timing Belt Materials
Neoprene (standard): The vast majority of H timing belts are neoprene with fiberglass tensile cord and nylon tooth facing. Neoprene H belts handle -30F to 185F and provide good oil and ozone resistance for general industrial environments. Gates, Continental, Bando, and Diesel Belting all manufacture neoprene H belts.
Urethane: Polyurethane H timing belts are available for food processing (FDA compliant), pharmaceutical, chemical exposure, and washdown applications. Urethane H belts are available with steel cord (near-zero stretch for positioning) or Kevlar cord (high flex life). Open-end urethane H belts can be cut to any length.
Double-sided: Double-sided H timing belts have teeth on both sides and are used in serpentine drive layouts where both sides of the belt engage pulleys. Less common than single-sided but available on special order.
Common H Timing Belt Applications
| Application | Why H Pitch | Typical Width |
|---|---|---|
| Machine tools (lathes, mills, grinders) | High torque, precise speed control, heavy spindle loads | 100, 150, 200 |
| Air compressors and pumps | Continuous heavy-duty operation, high starting torque | 100, 150 |
| Large conveyor drives | Long center distances, heavy load conveying | 150, 200, 300 |
| Industrial blowers and fans | High-torque, continuous duty, large diameter pulleys available | 100, 150 |
| Printing presses | Precise registration, heavy impression cylinder drives | 100, 150 |
| Woodworking equipment | Heavy planer, moulder, and saw drives | 150, 200 |
| Mining and aggregate equipment | High torque, abrasive environments, heavy loads | 200, 300 |
| Marine and offshore drives | Corrosion resistant with urethane construction, high torque | 150, 200 |
| Packaging machinery | Heavy-duty packaging lines with high indexing loads | 100, 150 |
H Timing Belt Brands We Stock
| Brand | H Product Line | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gates | PowerGrip Timing Belts | Industry standard. Widest availability. Neoprene with fiberglass cord. |
| Continental (ContiTech) | Synchrobelt | Direct cross to Gates. Neoprene construction. Strong European market presence. |
| Bando | Synchronous Belts | Japanese manufacturer. Competitive pricing. Neoprene construction. |
| Diesel Belting | Synchronous Belts | Value-priced alternative. Same pitch and dimensions. Good general-duty option. |
| Megadyne | Megalinear | Italian manufacturer. Urethane H belts available in open-end rolls. |
All brands listed above are dimensionally interchangeable at H pitch. A Gates 480H150 can be replaced with a Continental, Bando, or Diesel Belting 480H150. Texas Belting cross-references all manufacturers. Call 888-203-2358 with your part number and we will confirm the match.
Or call 888-203-2358 for immediate help.
H Drive Components
Every H belt needs a matched H timing pulley. The pulley tooth profile must match the belt profile exactly. Browse our trapezoidal timing pulleys, or see our Sprocket Selection Guide for help choosing the right one.
Related Pages
H Timing Belt FAQs
An H timing belt is an imperial trapezoidal synchronous belt with a 1/2" (12.7 mm) pitch. It is the heavy-duty member of the imperial trapezoidal family (MXL, XL, L, H, XH, XXH), designed for high-torque industrial drives including machine tools, compressors, pumps, and heavy conveyors.
The number before "H" is the pitch length in tenths of an inch. The number after "H" is the width in hundredths of an inch. Example: 480H150 = 48.0" pitch length, 1-1/2" wide, 96 teeth (48.0 / 0.5 = 96). See our Timing Belt Pitch Chart for all part number formats.
H pitch is 1/2" (12.7 mm) and L pitch is 3/8" (9.525 mm). H belts have larger teeth that handle higher torque loads but require larger pulleys. L belts are better suited for lighter loads and more compact drives. They use the same trapezoidal tooth shape but are not interchangeable because the pitch and tooth size differ.
Not directly. H is a trapezoidal profile at 12.7 mm pitch. 8M is a curvilinear (HTD) profile at 8.0 mm pitch. They use different tooth shapes and different pulleys. Switching from H to 8M requires replacing both the belt and all pulleys. However, 8M provides higher load capacity per unit width with smaller pulleys, so the upgrade is often worthwhile for new drive designs.
Standard H widths are 3/4" (075), 1" (100), 1-1/2" (150), 2" (200), and 3" (300). The 1" (100) width is the most commonly stocked size. Wider sizes (200, 300) may require longer lead times for some lengths. Call 888-203-2358 for availability on specific size combinations.
Yes. Food grade urethane H timing belts are available with FDA 21 CFR compliant compounds and steel or Kevlar tensile cord. These replace neoprene H belts on food processing equipment where the belt may contact product or where washdown and chemical sanitation are required.
Yes. All manufacturers produce H timing belts to the same RMA/ISO dimensional standard. A Gates 480H150 is directly interchangeable with a Continental, Bando, Diesel Belting, or Megadyne 480H150. Texas Belting cross-references all brands daily. Call 888-203-2358 with your part number.
The minimum recommended pulley for H pitch is 14 teeth (approximately 2.8" pitch diameter). Using fewer teeth increases tooth stress and reduces belt life. For precision drives and maximum belt life, 20+ tooth pulleys are recommended. Always verify the minimum pulley specification in the manufacturer's catalog for your specific belt width and load.
Measure the pitch by spanning 10 teeth and dividing by 10. A result close to 0.500" (12.7 mm) confirms an H belt. Verify the teeth are straight-sided (trapezoidal). Measure width straight across. Count total teeth and multiply by 0.500" to get pitch length. See our How to Measure a Timing Belt guide for the full step-by-step process.
