Tar vs. Pitch — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 30, 2024
Tar is a dark, thick liquid obtained from the distillation of organic materials, used in road surfacing and roofing, while pitch is a viscous substance derived from tar or plants, used in waterproofing and sealing.
Difference Between Tar and Pitch
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Tar is produced through the destructive distillation of organic materials, such as coal, wood, or petroleum, resulting in a thick, dark liquid. This substance is primarily used for road surfacing and roofing, thanks to its adhesive and waterproofing properties. Pitch, on the other hand, can be derived from tar by further distillation, or directly from plant resins, and is used for similar purposes such as waterproofing, sealing, and as a component in varnishes.
While both substances are viscous and have a dark appearance, tar is generally more fluid than pitch, which is known for its semi-solid state at room temperature. This difference in viscosity means that tar is easier to apply in some contexts, such as in road surfacing, whereas pitch's thicker consistency makes it ideal for sealing and creating a waterproof barrier.
Tar has a broader range of applications beyond just construction and waterproofing; it's also used in medicinal and therapeutic treatments, particularly in products like tar soap and shampoo for skin conditions. Pitch, however, is more limited in its use, primarily focused on waterproofing, sealing, and in the production of varnish.
The method of production also differs significantly between the two. Tar can be obtained from a variety of organic materials and through different processes, including dry distillation and the processing of petroleum. Pitch is typically produced through the distillation of tar or directly from the sap of pine and other coniferous trees, highlighting its more natural origin.
Despite their similarities, the environmental and health impacts of tar and pitch can vary. Tar, especially when derived from coal or petroleum, contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that may pose health risks, while natural pitch, especially from plant sources, is considered less hazardous, although still requiring careful handling due to its sticky nature and potential for causing skin irritation.
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Comparison Chart
Source
Coal, wood, petroleum
Tar distillation, plant resins
State at Room Temperature
Generally more fluid
Semi-solid, more viscous
Primary Use
Road surfacing, roofing, medicinal treatments
Waterproofing, sealing, varnish component
Method of Production
Destructive distillation, petroleum processing
Distillation of tar, extraction from plant sap
Health and Environmental Impact
Contains PAHs, potential health risks
Considered less hazardous, but still requires careful handling
Compare with Definitions
Tar
A dark, thick liquid used in construction and medical products.
Tar was applied to the road to create a smooth surface.
Pitch
A viscous substance used for sealing and waterproofing.
Pitch was used to seal the wooden boat's joints.
Tar
Has adhesive and waterproofing properties.
Tar is often used on roofs to prevent water leakage.
Pitch
Known for its semi-solid state at room temperature.
The pitch remained solid until heated for application.
Tar
Produced through the distillation of organic materials.
The production of tar involves heating coal in the absence of air.
Pitch
Less hazardous than tar but requires careful handling.
While handling pitch, gloves are necessary to avoid skin irritation.
Tar
Used in therapeutic treatments for skin conditions.
Tar shampoo is recommended for treating scalp psoriasis.
Pitch
Derived from tar or plant resins.
Pine pitch is collected directly from trees and used in traditional crafts.
Tar
Can be derived from coal, wood, or petroleum.
Petroleum tar is a byproduct of oil refining processes.
Pitch
Primarily focused on construction and varnish production.
Pitch is a key ingredient in some types of varnish for wood protection.
Tar
Tar is a dark brown or black viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon, obtained from a wide variety of organic materials through destructive distillation. Tar can be produced from coal, wood, petroleum, or peat.Mineral products resembling tar can be produced from fossil hydrocarbons, such as petroleum.
Pitch
A sticky resinous black or dark brown substance that is semi-liquid when hot and hardens when cold, obtained by distilling tar or turpentine and used for waterproofing.
Tar
A dark, thick flammable liquid distilled from wood or coal, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons, resins, alcohols, and other compounds. It is used in road-making and for coating and preserving timber.
Pitch
The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone
Her voice rose steadily in pitch
Tar
A sailor.
Pitch
The steepness of a slope, especially of a roof.
Tar
Cover (something) with tar
A newly tarred road
Pitch
A level of the intensity of something, especially a high level
The media furore reached such a pitch that the company withdrew the product
Tar
A dark, oily, viscous material, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, produced by the destructive distillation of organic substances such as wood, coal, or peat.
Pitch
An area of ground marked out or used for play in an outdoor team game
A football pitch
Tar
See coal tar.
Pitch
A delivery of the ball by the pitcher.
Tar
A solid residue of tobacco smoke containing byproducts of combustion.
Pitch
A form of words used when trying to persuade someone to buy or accept something
He put over a very strong sales pitch
Tar
A sailor.
Pitch
A place where a street vendor or performer stations themselves or sets up a stall
The traders had already reserved their pitches
Tar
To coat with or as if with tar.
Pitch
A swaying or oscillation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of motion
The pitch and roll of the ship
Tar
A black, oily, sticky, viscous substance, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons derived from organic materials such as wood, peat, or coal.
Pitch
The distance between successive corresponding points or lines, for example between the teeth of a cogwheel.
Tar
Coal tar.
Pitch
Set (one's voice or a piece of music) at a particular pitch
You've pitched the melody very high
Tar
(uncountable) A solid residual byproduct of tobacco smoke.
Pitch
Throw roughly or casually
He crumpled the page up and pitched it into the fireplace
Tar
A sailor, because of the traditional tarpaulin clothes.
Jack Tar
Pitch
Throw (the ball) for the batter to try to hit.
Tar
(uncountable) Black tar, a form of heroin.
Pitch
Make a bid to obtain a contract or other business
I've been pitching for this account for over a month
Tar
(computing) A program for archiving files, common on Unix systems.
Pitch
Set up and fix in position
We pitched camp for the night
Tar
(computing) A file produced by such a program.
Pitch
(of a moving ship, aircraft, or vehicle) rock or oscillate around a lateral axis, so that the front moves up and down
The little steamer pressed on, pitching gently
Tar
A Persian long-necked, waisted string instrument, shared by many cultures and countries in the Middle East and the Caucasus.
Pitch
Cause (a roof) to slope downwards from the ridge
The roof was pitched at an angle of 75 degrees
Tar
A single-headed round frame drum originating in North Africa and the Middle East.
Pitch
Pave (a road) with stones
Another sort of stone is used for pitching streets
Tar
(transitive) To coat with tar.
Pitch
(in brewing) add yeast to (wort) to induce fermentation.
Tar
(transitive) To besmirch.
The allegations tarred his name, even though he was found innocent.
Pitch
Cover, coat, or smear with pitch.
Tar
To create a tar archive.
Pitch
Any of various thick, dark, sticky substances obtained from the distillation residue of coal tar, wood tar, or petroleum and used for waterproofing, roofing, caulking, and paving.
Tar
A sailor; a seaman.
Pitch
Any of various natural bitumens, such as mineral pitch or asphalt.
Tar
A thick, black, viscous liquid obtained by the distillation of wood, coal, etc., and having a varied composition according to the temperature and material employed in obtaining it.
Pitch
A resin derived from the sap of various coniferous trees, as the pines.
Tar
To smear with tar, or as with tar; as, to tar ropes; to tar cloth.
Pitch
The act or an instance of pitching.
Tar
Any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
Pitch
A throw of the ball by the pitcher to the batter.
Tar
A man who serves as a sailor
Pitch
A ball so thrown
Hit the pitch into left field.
Tar
Coat with tar;
Tar the roof
Tar the roads
Pitch
(Sports) A playing field. Also called wicket.
Pitch
(Nautical) The alternate dip and rise of a vessel's bow and stern.
Pitch
The alternate lift and descent of the nose and tail of an airplane.
Pitch
A steep slope.
Pitch
The degree of such a slope.
Pitch
(Sports) A single interval between ledges or anchors used as belaying points in mountaineering
A climb of six pitches.
Pitch
The angle of a roof.
Pitch
The highest point of a structure
The pitch of an arch.
Pitch
A level or degree, as of intensity
Worked at a feverish pitch.
Pitch
(Acoustics) The distinctive quality of a sound, dependent primarily on the frequency of the sound waves produced by its source.
Pitch
(Music) The relative position of a tone within a range of musical sounds, as determined by this quality.
Pitch
(Music) Any of various standards for this quality associating each tone with a particular frequency.
Pitch
The distance traveled by a machine screw in a single revolution.
Pitch
The distance between two corresponding points on adjacent screw threads or gear teeth.
Pitch
The distance between two corresponding points on a helix.
Pitch
The distance that a propeller would travel in an ideal medium during one complete revolution, measured parallel to the shaft of the propeller.
Pitch
A line of talk designed to persuade
"[his] pious pitch for ... austerity" (Boston Globe).
Pitch
An advertisement.
Pitch
Chiefly British The stand of a vendor or hawker.
Pitch
(Games) See seven-up.
Pitch
(Printing) The density of characters in a printed line, usually expressed as characters per inch.
Pitch
To smear or cover with pitch.
Pitch
To throw, usually with careful aim.
Pitch
To discard by throwing
Pitched my worn-out sneakers.
Pitch
To throw (the ball) from the mound to the batter.
Pitch
To play (a game or part of a game) as pitcher.
Pitch
To assign as pitcher
The manager decided to pitch a left-hander.
Pitch
To erect or establish; set up
Pitched a tent.
Pitch camp.
Pitch
To set firmly; implant; embed
Pitched stakes in the ground.
Pitch
To set at a specified downward slant
Pitched the roof at a steep angle.
Pitch
To set at a particular level, degree, or quality
Pitched her expectations too high.
Pitch
(Music) To set the pitch or key of.
Pitch
To adapt so as to be applicable; direct
Pitched his speech to the teenagers in the audience.
Pitch
(Informal) To attempt to promote or sell, often in a high-pressure manner
"showed up on local TV to pitch their views" (Business Week).
Pitch
(Sports) To hit (a golf ball) in a high arc with backspin so that it does not roll very far after striking the ground.
Pitch
To lead (a card), thus establishing the trump suit.
Pitch
To discard (a card other than a trump and different in suit from the card led).
Pitch
To throw or toss something, such as a ball, horseshoe, or bale.
Pitch
(Baseball) To play in the position of pitcher.
Pitch
To plunge headlong
He pitched over the railing.
Pitch
To stumble around; lurch.
Pitch
To buck, as a horse.
Pitch
(Nautical) To dip bow and stern alternately.
Pitch
To oscillate about a lateral axis so that the nose lifts or descends in relation to the tail. Used of an aircraft.
Pitch
To oscillate about a lateral axis that is both perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and horizontal to the earth. Used of a missile or spacecraft.
Pitch
To slope downward
The hill pitches steeply.
Pitch
To set up living quarters; encamp; settle.
Pitch
(Sports) To hit a golf ball in a high arc with backspin so that it does not roll very far after striking the ground.
Pitch
A sticky, gummy substance secreted by trees; sap.
It is hard to get this pitch off my hand.
Pitch
A dark, extremely viscous material remaining in still after distilling crude oil and tar.
They put pitch on the mast to protect it.
The barrel was sealed with pitch.
It was pitch black because there was no moon.
Pitch
(geology) Pitchstone.
Pitch
A throw; a toss; a cast, as of something from the hand.
A good pitch in quoits
Pitch
(baseball) The act of pitching a baseball.
The pitch was low and inside.
Pitch
The field on which cricket, soccer, rugby, gridiron or field hockey is played. cricket pitch.}} Not often used in the US or Canada, where "field" is the preferred word.
The teams met on the pitch.
Pitch
(rare) The field of battle.
Pitch
An effort to sell or promote something.
He gave me a sales pitch.
Pitch
The distance between evenly spaced objects, e.g. the teeth of a saw or gear, the turns of a screw thread, the centres of holes, or letters in a monospace font.
The pitch of pixels on the point scale is 72 pixels per inch.
The pitch of this saw is perfect for that type of wood.
A helical scan with a pitch of zero is equivalent to constant z-axis scanning.
Pitch
The angle at which an object sits.
The pitch of the roof or haystack
Pitch
The rotation angle about the transverse axis.
Pitch
The degree to which a vehicle, especially a ship or aircraft, rotates on such an axis, tilting its bow or nose up or down. Compare with roll, yaw, and heave.
The pitch of an aircraft
Pitch
(aviation) A measure of the angle of attack of a propeller.
The propeller blades' pitch went to 90° as the engine was feathered.
Pitch
An area in a market (or similar) allocated to a particular trader.
Pitch
(by extension) The place where a busker performs, a prostitute solicits clients, or an illegal gambling game etc. is set up before the public.
Pitch
An area on a campsite intended for occupation by a single tent, caravan or similar.
Pitch
A level or degree, or (by extension), a peak or highest degree.
Pitch
A point or peak; the extreme point of elevation or depression.
Pitch
The most thrust-out point of a headland or cape.
Pitch
Collectively, the outermost points of some part of the body, especially the shoulders or hips.
Pitch
The height a bird reaches in flight, especially a bird of prey preparing to swoop down on its prey.
Pitch
A person's or animal's height.
Pitch
Prominence; importance.
Pitch
(climbing) A section of a climb or rock face; specifically, the climbing distance between belays or stances.
Pitch
(caving) A vertical cave passage, only negotiable by using rope or ladders.
The entrance pitch requires 30 metres of rope.
Pitch
(cricket) That point of the ground on which the ball pitches or lights when bowled.
Pitch
A descent; a fall; a thrusting down.
Pitch
The point where a declivity begins; hence, the declivity itself; a descending slope; the degree or rate of descent or slope; slant.
A steep pitch in the road
The pitch of a roof
Pitch
(mining) The limit of ground set to a miner who receives a share of the ore taken out.
Pitch
The perceived frequency of a sound or note.
The pitch of middle "C" is familiar to many musicians.
Pitch
(music) The standard to which a group of musical instruments are tuned or in which a piece is performed, usually by reference to the frequency to which the musical note A above middle C is tuned.
Are we in baroque pitch for this one?
Pitch
(music) In an a cappella group, the singer responsible for singing a note for the other members to tune themselves by.
Bob, our pitch, let out a clear middle "C" and our conductor gave the signal to start.
Pitch
To cover or smear with pitch.
Pitch
To darken; to blacken; to obscure.
Pitch
(transitive) To throw.
He pitched the horseshoe.
Pitch
To throw (the ball) toward a batter at home plate.
The hurler pitched a curveball.
He pitched high and inside.
Pitch
To play baseball in the position of pitcher.
Bob pitches today.
Pitch
(transitive) To throw away; discard.
He pitched the candy wrapper.
Pitch
(transitive) To promote, advertise, or attempt to sell.
He pitched the idea for months with no takers.
Pitch
(transitive) To deliver in a certain tone or style, or with a certain audience in mind.
At which level should I pitch my presentation?
Pitch
(transitive) To assemble or erect (a tent).
Pitch the tent over there.
Pitch
(intransitive) To fix or place a tent or temporary habitation; to encamp.
Pitch
To move so that the front of an aircraft or boat goes alternatively up and down.
The typhoon pitched the deck of the ship.
The airplane pitched.
Pitch
To play a short, high, lofty shot that lands with backspin.
The only way to get on the green from here is to pitch the ball over the bunker.
Pitch
To bounce on the playing surface.
The ball pitched well short of the batsman.
Pitch
To settle and build up, without melting.
Pitch
To alight; to settle; to come to rest from flight.
Pitch
(with on or upon) To fix one's choice.
Pitch
(intransitive) To plunge or fall; especially, to fall forward; to decline or slope.
To pitch from a precipice
The field pitches toward the east.
Pitch
To set, face, or pave with rubble or undressed stones.
Pitch
To set or fix.
Pitch
To discard for some gain.
Pitch
To attack, or position or assemble for attack.
Pitch
(intransitive) To produce a note of a given pitch.
Pitch
(transitive) To fix or set the tone of.
Pitch
A thick, black, lustrous, and sticky substance obtained by boiling down tar. It is used in calking the seams of ships; also in coating rope, canvas, wood, ironwork, etc., to preserve them.
He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith.
Pitch
See Pitchstone.
Pitch
A throw; a toss; a cast, as of something from the hand; as, a good pitch in quoits.
Pitch
That point of the ground on which the ball pitches or lights when bowled.
Pitch
A point or peak; the extreme point or degree of elevation or depression; hence, a limit or bound.
Driven headlong from the pitch of heaven, downInto this deep.
Enterprises of great pitch and moment.
To lowest pitch of abject fortune.
He lived when learning was at its highest pitch.
The exact pitch, or limits, where temperance ends.
Pitch
Height; stature.
Pitch
A descent; a fall; a thrusting down.
Pitch
The point where a declivity begins; hence, the declivity itself; a descending slope; the degree or rate of descent or slope; slant; as, a steep pitch in the road; the pitch of a roof.
Pitch
The relative acuteness or gravity of a tone, determined by the number of vibrations which produce it; the place of any tone upon a scale of high and low.
Pitch
The limit of ground set to a miner who receives a share of the ore taken out.
Pitch
The distance from center to center of any two adjacent teeth of gearing, measured on the pitch line; - called also circular pitch.
Pitch
The distance between symmetrically arranged or corresponding parts of an armature, measured along a line, called the pitch line, drawn around its length. Sometimes half of this distance is called the pitch.
Pitch
To cover over or smear with pitch.
Pitch
Fig.: To darken; to blacken; to obscure.
The welkin pitched with sullen could.
Pitch
To throw, generally with a definite aim or purpose; to cast; to hurl; to toss; as, to pitch quoits; to pitch hay; to pitch a ball.
Pitch
To thrust or plant in the ground, as stakes or poles; hence, to fix firmly, as by means of poles; to establish; to arrange; as, to pitch a tent; to pitch a camp.
Pitch
To set, face, or pave with rubble or undressed stones, as an embankment or a roadway.
Pitch
To fix or set the tone of; as, to pitch a tune.
Pitch
To set or fix, as a price or value.
Pitch
To fix or place a tent or temporary habitation; to encamp.
Pitch
To light; to settle; to come to rest from flight.
The tree whereon they [the bees] pitch.
Pitch
To fix one's choise; - with on or upon.
Pitch upon the best course of life, and custom will render it the more easy.
Pitch
To plunge or fall; esp., to fall forward; to decline or slope; as, to pitch from a precipice; the vessel pitches in a heavy sea; the field pitches toward the east.
Pitch
The property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
Pitch
(baseball) the throwing of a baseball by a pitcher to a batter
Pitch
A vendor's position (especially on the sidewalk);
He was employed to see that his paper's news pitches were not trespassed upon by rival vendors
Pitch
Promotion by means of an argument and demonstration
Pitch
Degree of deviation from a horizontal plane;
The roof had a steep pitch
Pitch
Any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
Pitch
A high approach shot in golf
Pitch
An all-fours game in which the first card led is a trump
Pitch
Abrupt up-and-down motion (as caused by a ship or other conveyance);
The pitching and tossing was quite exciting
Pitch
The action or manner of throwing something;
His pitch fell short and his hat landed on the floor
Pitch
Throw or toss with a light motion;
Flip me the beachball
Toss me newspaper
Pitch
Move abruptly;
The ship suddenly lurched to the left
Pitch
Fall or plunge forward;
She pitched over the railing of the balcony
Pitch
Set to a certain pitch;
He pitched his voice very low
Pitch
Sell or offer for sale from place to place
Pitch
Be at an angle;
The terrain sloped down
Pitch
Heel over;
The tower is tilting
The ceiling is slanting
Pitch
Erect and fasten;
Pitch a tent
Pitch
Throw or hurl from the mound to the batter, as in baseball;
The pitcher delivered the ball
Pitch
Hit (a golf ball) in a high arc with a backspin
Pitch
Lead (a card) and establish the trump suit
Pitch
Set the level or character of;
She pitched her speech to the teenagers in the audience
Common Curiosities
What is tar used for?
Tar is used for road surfacing, roofing, and in medicinal products for treating skin conditions.
How is pitch made?
Pitch can be made by distilling tar or extracting sap from plants, particularly pine trees.
What makes pitch different from tar?
Pitch is generally thicker and more viscous than tar, often solid at room temperature, and can be derived from plant resins, giving it different applications and properties.
Can pitch be used in medicinal applications like tar?
Pitch is not commonly used in medicinal applications, unlike tar, which is found in products treating skin conditions.
Is it safe to handle tar and pitch?
Both substances require careful handling to avoid skin irritation and potential health risks, especially tar, which contains compounds that may be carcinogenic.
Why is pitch preferred for waterproofing over tar?
Pitch's thicker consistency and semi-solid state make it more effective for creating durable waterproof seals.
What precautions should be taken when working with tar and pitch?
Appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and masks, should be used to avoid skin contact and inhalation of fumes.
Can tar and pitch be used interchangeably?
While tar and pitch have similar uses in waterproofing and sealing, their different consistencies and properties make them suited to specific tasks.
Is tar always derived from coal?
No, tar can also be produced from wood, petroleum, and other organic materials.
What role does viscosity play in the use of tar and pitch?
Viscosity determines the ease of application and the suitability of tar or pitch for specific uses, with tar being preferred for smoother applications and pitch for more solid seals.
Are tar and pitch harmful to the environment?
Both substances can have environmental impacts, especially tar derived from coal or petroleum due to its content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but natural pitch is considered less hazardous.
Do all types of tar have the same properties?
The properties of tar can vary depending on its source material and production process, affecting its suitability for different applications.
What is the historical significance of tar and pitch?
Tar and pitch have been historically important for shipbuilding, waterproofing, and preservation, showcasing their long-standing utility in human activities.
How are tar and pitch applied in construction?
Tar is commonly used in road surfacing and roofing for its adhesive properties, while pitch is used for sealing joints and waterproofing.
Can tar be environmentally friendly?
Tar's environmental friendliness depends on its source and processing, with plant-derived tar being more eco-friendly than those obtained from coal or petroleum.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
