Garden Hose Thread Size – Complete Guide

Watering a garden using a garden hose is a common practice. Along with a garden hose, you can consider using a sprinkler or spray gun. That is when you will need fittings to attach different equipment with the garden hose properly.

Garden hose fittings ensure the proper flow of water without leakage or loss of pressure. Garden hose fittings are available in different sizes, and that is where you have to get garden hose thread measurement perfectly. In this article, we will discuss the thread measurement and size of your garden hose fittings and how to measure the size of the hose.

What Is Garden Hose Thread?

Garden Hose Thread

A garden hose thread refers to the lines on garden hose fittings that allow the hose to fit the tap or external equipment perfectly. There are different garden hose thread sizes available. Getting the perfect water hose thread size ensures tight fittings with uniformity. For standardization, garden hose thread size is referred to in National Hose (NH) and Garden Hose Thread (GHT). The most common thread size is 11.5 NH for gardening hose.

Garden Hose Fittings Thread Size

While garden hoses come in various internal diameters, the thread size for connecting hoses and fittings is generally standardized.

Common Garden Hose Thread Sizes:

  • ¾ inch (19mm): This is the most common size for residential and commercial use. It offers a good balance of water flow and pressure.
  • 5/8 inch (16mm): Less common than ¾ inch, but still widely available. Often used for smaller hoses or specific applications.
  • ½ inch (12.7mm): Primarily used for lightweight hoses and low-pressure applications.

While industry standards like NHR, MHT, and FHT exist for precise specifications, these details are primarily relevant for manufacturers and engineers. For most homeowners, focusing on the overall hose diameter is sufficient for selecting the correct fittings.

In the United States, the outer thread diameter is 1.0625-inch and the thread pitch is 11.5 TPI. A 19 mm GHT fitting is perfect with an inner diameter of 125 mm and 15 mm. However, it has to be noted that GHT is not suitable with NPT. Although some hoses are suitable for National Pipe Straight Hose (NPSH) female. The US also has non-tapered parallel threads which make them unsuitable for sealing with a PTFE tape. To prevent leakages, fittings are combined with O-rings.

Unlike the United States, the rest of the world uses two versions of the British Standard Pipe Thread standard (BSP) namely British Standard Pipe Tapered (BSPT) and British Standard Pipe Parallel (BSPP). For garden hoses, BSPP is an ideal consideration. Garden taps come with a BSP thread of 3/4-inch. In commercial applications, we use a 7/8-inch BSP.

Sizes of Garden Hose Connectors

Garden hose connectors usually come in 3/4 or 5/8-inch. It is according to the inside diameter of the hose. Garden hose fittings also vary accordingly and the most popular size is 3/4-inch or 11.5NH. This size is also perfect for commercial purposes. It has to be noted that garden hose fittings will usually fit most hoses generally.

How Do You Measure the Size of a Hose?

To accurately measure a garden hose, you need to determine its inner diameter (ID). This is the measurement across the inside of the hose.

For measuring the garden hose size, you need the matching connectors.

For precise measurement of hose size, a digital caliper is ideal. Measure the inside diameter of the hose.

By taking a tape, you can measure the fittings’ internal diameter as well as external diameter. The inside diameter is for female threads and the outside diameter is for male threads.

What you will have to do is lay the tape measure on the connector’s mouth and measure it from the inside top to the bottom. This will give you the fittings size. Measuring the outside can provide a higher number. People also tend to use vernier calipers or a ruler.

Importance Of Correct Garden Hose Connector Size

Using the correct size for your garden hose threads is crucial for several reasons:

  • A proper fit ensures a tight seal between the hose and its attachments, preventing water wastage and damage to your property.
  • The right thread size allows for maximum water flow without restrictions, enhancing the efficiency of your watering tasks.
  • Mismatched connectors can put undue stress on your hose and fittings, leading to premature wear and tear.
  • Correct thread size ensures compatibility with a wide range of garden accessories and tools.

Also check:

Conclusion

From the above, we have found the different garden hose thread sizes. We have also known how to measure the hose size. These are simple tasks and do not require professional help. As hose sizes are available in different ranges, you will have to know your usage and see if it suits the purpose. Just know that hoses are measured by the interior diameter. When you measure the outside diameter, it is the size of the tubes.

FAQs: Garden Hose Fitting Size

1. What is the standard garden hose thread size?

Ans: The most common garden hose thread size is ¾ inch. This standard dimension ensures compatibility with a wide range of garden hoses, faucets, and accessories. Adhering to this standard guarantees a secure and leak-free connection, allowing for optimal water flow and efficient watering.

2. Can I use a ¾ inch connector on a 5/8 inch hose?

Ans: While it might seem tempting to use a larger connector on a smaller hose, it’s strongly discouraged. Using a mismatched connector can lead to poor water flow, leaks, and potential damage to the hose or connector. Always prioritize using connectors that match the exact thread size of your garden hose to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

3. Are there different types of garden hose threads?

Ans: While there are technical specifications for thread types and profiles, such as NHR, MHT, and FHT, these details are primarily relevant for manufacturers and engineers. For most homeowners, focusing on the standard ¾ inch thread size is sufficient. Understanding these technicalities is unnecessary for general garden hose usage.

4. Is garden hose thread the same as NPT?

Ans: No, they are different. Garden hose threads are parallel, while NPT threads are tapered. They are not compatible.

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