A drill pipe is a steel tube featuring threaded ends, used to connect surface drilling equipment to the downhole drilling tools or assemblies located at the bottom of a wellbore. The primary functions of a drill pipe are to convey drilling fluid to the drill bit and, in conjunction with the bit, to raise, lower, or rotate the downhole assembly. Drill pipes must be capable of withstanding immense internal and external pressures, torsional forces, bending stresses, and vibrations. In the process of oil and gas exploration and production, drill pipes are designed for repeated use.

Raw steel tubes and plain pipes undergo a series of processing steps to be transformed into finished drill pipes.

First, through a process known as "upsetting," the outer surface of the plain pipe is inwardly deformed to thicken the pipe wall. The next step involves threading the pipe ends and applying a copper plating to enhance structural strength. This is followed by non-destructive quality control inspections, after which the tool joints are welded to the pipe body. Subsequently, the pipe body undergoes heat treatment and final finishing of the welded joints to relieve residual welding stresses. Before the finished drill pipes are coated with protective lacquer and packaged, they undergo a final series of inspections-including hardness tests, pressure tests, and additional non-destructive testing.

The typical length of a drill pipe is approximately nine meters.