Abstract: A threaded pin and box pipe connection having makeup shoulders that contact when the pin and box threads are fully engaged. Upon initial engagement of the shoulders, load flanks of the pin and box threads furthest from the makeup shoulders engage each other and begin progressively separating from each other by an increasing amount along the length of the engaged threads in a direction from the end of the pin to a gauge point of the connection. Upon application of the makeup torque, the separation between the load flanks distributes the torque forces between the makeup shoulders along the length of the engaged threads to prevent concentration of stress forces near the base of the pin thread. The progressive separation of the load flanks is achieved by progressively changing the pitch of the load flank of the pin and/or box thread to vary the thread width. The separation of load flanks is achieved without modifications of the stab flank pitch.