National standard taper pipe threads size npt chart includes both external and internal pipe thread data. You should have between 35 and 6 engaged threads.

Assembling Threaded Plastic Fittings Lasco Fittings
How many turns npt thread. Fluids piping and hydraulic design data. Npt thread taper angle 116 taper 1 deg. The taper rate for all npt threads is 116 34 inch per foot measured by the change of diameter of the pipe thread over distance. Tighten fitting by hand and then turn it 2 turns with a wrench until it reaches the desire torque. Continue to turn the male pipe fitting in a clockwise direction until you can no longer do so approximately two to four full revolutions depending on the size and type of fitting. 14 18 npt lh for pressure tight joints it is intended that taper pipe threads be made up wrench tight with a sealant.
The angle between the sides of the thread is 60 deg. Your seal is made at the thread root with the sealant so overtightening will not fix a leak. Brass and steel pipe thread npt installation procedure and torque specification table and chart. Engagement tighten 2 full turns for sizes up to 1 inch for npt thread fittings. This is the taper which is 116 inch per inch which is equivalent to 34 inch per foot. The angle between the taper and the center axis of the pipe is 1 47 24 17899.
If i did not have at least 4 threads engaged on 18 or 14 npt fittings i would remove clean use thread cutting oil and re tap the fitting. They should be hand tightened and then another 1 or 2 turns but no more. All 18 through 2 npt threads theoretically are 7 turns total. For left hand threads include lh to the designation. Any number outside of this range may indicate either under or over tightening of the joint or out of tolerance threads. Tfft assembly turns from finger tight with pipe thread sealant or teflon tape applied.
Step 4 fit the pipe wrench onto the outside of the male pipe fitting. How tight do you have to tighten national pipe thread. Larger fittings will turn more easily than smaller diameter fittings. Available at many hvac or refrigeration supply houses. More turns will put to much pressure on the fitting and may crack it and cause a leak. Rule of thumb.
The nominal pipe size number of threads per inch and the thread series symbol in sequence. So in the real world unless working to nrc specs 5 8 turns total will do. If you were to take the cross section of a npt threaded end you would see that the bottoms of the threads arent on a cylinder but a cone. I tighten by feel. Pipe thread installation torque table chart. Npt thread calculator for npt thread dimensions according to ansiasme b1201 standard.
3 5 turns for hand tight then 2 3 turns power makeup. 47 min 075 inft.