What is the JIS standard?
In railway and industrial rail applications, the JIS standard refers to technical specifications issued by Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), which define the dimensions, tolerances, mechanical properties, and testing methods for steel rails and many other industrial products.
In railways, JIS standards are widely used for urban transit, industrial sidings, mining railways, and conventional passenger lines, and they are also adopted by many overseas projects that follow Japanese technical systems. Compared with some regional standards, JIS rails are known for tight dimensional control and stable material performance, which helps ensure consistent wheel–rail contact and long service life. As an international rail fastener and rail supplier, GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY provides JIS standard rails and matching fastening systems, as well as alternative standards for global projects.
JIS Steel Rail, JIS E1103/1101 & JIS E1103-91
Material: 50Mn, U71Mn, 55Q.
Size: 9kg, 10kg, 12kg, 15kg, 22kg, JIS30A, JIS37A, JIS40N, 50N, 60kg, CR73, CR100
Length: Standard rail lenght are furnished from 6-24meters(also support customization)
Standard: Japanese Industrial Standards, JIS E1101-2001
Accessories: GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY provides a complete set of accessories for rail systems, including rail clamps with rubber noses and weldable base clips, elastomer rail pads, base soleplates, rail connection fishplates, bolts and nuts for securing the clamps, and leveling bolts.
| JIS E1101-2001 | Rail Height (mm) | Base Width | Head Width (mm) | Waist Thickness (mm) | Nominal Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9kg | 63.50 | 63.50 | 32.10 | 5.90 | 8.94 |
| 10kg | 66.67 | 66.67 | 34.13 | 6.35 | 10.10 |
| 12kg | 69.85 | 69.85 | 38.10 | 7.54 | 12.20 |
| JIS 15kg | 79.37 | 79.37 | 42.86 | 8.33 | 15.20 |
| JIS 22kg | 93.66 | 93.66 | 50.80 | 10.72 | 22.30 |
| JIS 30kg(30A) | 107.95 | 107.95 | 60.33 | 12.3 | 30.10 |
| JIS 37kg(37A) | 122.24 | 122.24 | 62.71 | 13.49 | 37.20 |
| 40kgN(40N) | 140.00 | 122.00 | 64.00 | 14.00 | 40.9 |
| JIS 50kg(50PS) | 144.46 | 127.00 | 67.87 | 14.29 | 50.4 |
| 50kgN(50N) | 153.00 | 127.00 | 65.00 | 15.00 | 50.4 |
| 60kg | 174.00 | 145.00 | 65.00 | 16.50 | 60.8 |
| JIS E1103-93/JIS E 1101-93 | Rail Height (mm) | Base Width | Head Width (mm) | Waist Thickness (mm) | Nominal Weight (kg/m) |
| CR73 | 135.00 | 140.00 | 100.00 | 32.00 | 73.30 |
| CR100 | 150.00 | 155.00 | 120.00 | 39.00 | 100.20 |
How Is JIS Rail Different from GB and UIC Standards?
Although all modern rail standards aim to ensure safety and durability, JIS, GB, and UIC rails differ in profile geometry, testing methods, and application focus. JIS standards historically emphasize urban transit and industrial reliability, while UIC standards were developed for international mainline interoperability, and GB standards cover a very wide range of light rail, heavy rail, and crane rail applications.
Comparison of Typical Rail Standards:
| Standard | Typical Profiles | Main Focus | Common Steel Grades | Typical Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JIS | 22kg, 30kg, 37A, 50N | Urban rail, industrial tracks | JIS rail steel grades | Japan, SE Asia |
| UIC / EN | UIC54, UIC60 (54E1, 60E1) | Mainline & high-speed | R260, R350HT | Europe, global |
| GB | 22kg, 38kg, 50kg, 60kg, QU rails | Light, heavy & crane rails | Q235, 50Mn, U71Mn | China, export |
Because of these differences, JIS rails are not directly interchangeable with UIC or GB rails even if the weight per meter looks similar. Fastening systems, sleepers, and even grinding profiles must match the rail standard. This is why project procurement usually specifies the rail standard very clearly. GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY supports projects using JIS, GB, UIC, BS, DIN, AREMA, and other standards, and can provide complete fastening solutions, technical drawings, and installation guidance.
When Should JIS Standard Rails Be Selected?
JIS standard rails are particularly suitable for metro systems, tramways, factory railways, ports, and mining transport lines where Japanese design systems are adopted or where compact and stable profiles are preferred. They are also frequently selected in overseas projects financed or designed under Japanese technical cooperation frameworks.
From a procurement standpoint, selecting JIS rails can offer advantages such as stable quality control, consistent rolling accuracy, and proven performance in high-frequency urban operations. However, for heavy-haul freight or high-speed passenger lines, UIC60 or GB 60kg heavy rail is usually more appropriate due to higher axle load requirements. GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY helps customers evaluate traffic load, curve radius, climate, and maintenance strategy before recommending the most suitable rail standard and steel grade.
| Classification | Height(mm) | Head (mm) | Bottom (mm) | Thick(mm) | Weight (kg/m) | |
| Heavy Rail | 38 KG/M | 134 | 68 | 114 | 13 | 38.733 |
| 43 KG/M | 140 | 70 | 114 | 14.5 | 44.653 | |
| 45 KG/M | 145 | 67 | 126 | 14.5 | 45.546 | |
| 50 KG/M | 152 | 70 | 132 | 15.5 | 51.514 | |
| 60 KG/M | 176 | 73 | 150 | 16.5 | 60.64 | |
| Standard: UIC860 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Dimension(mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
Length(m) | |||
| Head | Height | Bottom | Thickness | |||
| UIC50 | 70 | 152 | 125 | 15 | 50.46 | 12-25 |
| UIC54 | 70 | 159 | 140 | 16 | 54.43 | |
| UIC60 | 74.3 | 172 | 150 | 16.5 | 60.21 | |
Since 2008, GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY has been supplying steel rails of different grades for more than 18 years, steel rails from GNEE RAILWAY is highly recommened in China and abroad.Wtih cutting edge equipment, GNEE RAILWAY produces high quality steel rails that meet with requirements of most countries. Standard rail, head hardened rail, heavy rail,light rail,crane rail and other types are all available here, as one of the China main rail supplier, GNEE RAILWAY RAILWAY has been working on supplying economical green railway products all over the world.