A lush green garden is everyone’s dream. Consistency and regularity with watering your garden are requisite. The size of the hose you use for watering your plants and lawn affects your garden’s health.
To figure out your hose’s diameter and size, you need to be aware of the sizes of each of your hose and hose fitting! There are the right size and length of a garden hose pipe to use for different purposes.
Standard garden hose length for commercial purposes is usually 25 to 250 feet long. The inside diameter of the hose thread size ends determines the water flow and water pressure of the pipe.
Table of Contents
The Most Common Diameter of Garden Hoses
When selecting a garden hose to water your lawn, you need to know the hose size. While most garden hoses come with a marked diameter and thread size, most don’t. You need to measure the diameter of the hoses by yourself.
Sometimes, even experienced gardeners find it tricky to precisely measure the garden hose diameter. Don’t panic since most hoses diameter is either 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 3/8 inch, or 5/8 inch in diameter. Keep in mind that the hose fittings of the garden hose and the garden hose diameter may not be the same always.
Some unique measurements of 2 inch 5/8, 1/2 inch 5 are available. The pressure, flow, and connect of the fitting in these hoses sizes vary, and options are often limited.
The most common inner diameter of hoses are as follows:
- 3/8-inch ght: 10 mm
- 1/2-inch ght: 12.5 mm
- 5/8-inch ght: 15 mm
- 3/4-inch ght: 19 mm
- 1-inch ght/Nh
The inner diameter of a garden hose dictates the flow of water. The sizes in inches reflect the inner diameter. A small garden hose diameter will produce lesser gallons of water per minute with higher water pressure. Hoses with a large inside diameter of about 3/4 inch will produce less water pressure with more quantity of water. As a homeowner, a 5/8 inch diameter hoses will meet your end needs
How to Measure The Diameter Of A Garden Hose ?
Measuring the diameter of a garden hose fittings and thread is key information. The diameter affects the water pressure, water output, and the distance the water can travel when using the garden hose. Read carefully below about each step related to measuring the diameter of a garden hose.
1. Look for Markings on Garden Hose Fittings
Most of the time, garden hoses have markings on them that state the measurement related to their diameter. Look at the end of the hose and garden hose fittings closely and try to search for these markings.
If you cannot find them, you can approach a garden equipment professional to ask them for the right step to take. Such experts are experienced and will tell you the inside diameter of the hose just based on a mere look. They can connect you to the best products related to garden hose too.
2. The Simplest Method: Using Dowels
The easiest way to measure the diameter of a garden hose is to use a dowel. Make sure you remove all fittings and accessories before you try to measure garden hose using this method.
If you have a 3/4-inch dowel, insert it into the end of the hose. If it fits perfectly and sits snugly, then your hose size has a diameter of 3/4 inches. This helps you determine the inside diameter of the hose.
Does the same dowel not fit into the garden hose thread or fit loosely? If yes, you should safely assume that it is either 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch in size. Garden hoses with a diameter of 1/2 inch are rather uncommon as compared to 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch.
It is understandable if dowels of these sizes are not at your disposal. There are other and more accurate methods.
3. Using the Outer Diameter
You can also use a garden hose’s outer diameter to get an idea about the inner diameter. Most 5/8-inch garden hoses consist of an inner diameter with a measurement of somewhere between 0.77 inches and 1.00 inches.
When you measure the outer diameter and find it less than 0.77 inches, your hose is most likely a 1/2-inch garden hose. If its measurement turns out to be more than 1 or 2 inches, then your garden hose is probably a 3/4-inch hose.
4. Employing an Index Card
It is perhaps the most complicated way of finding out the diameter of a garden hose. You will have to start by removing any accessories and fittings from the hose. Then, use a rolled-up index card and put it inside the hose to determine the hose size.
The index card you use should be in a proper tube shape. It should be at least half within the hose when you insert it. Step 3 is taping the card so that it maintains the tube shape when you finally remove it from the pipe.
Once you have taped the card, remove it from the hose without allowing it to open up. When you have the tube securely in your grasp, measure it with a tape measure or ruler. You must measure the side which you put into the hose to get the diameters of the inside of the hose.
Why Can’t You Use A Tape Measure?
There are so many different ways to measure the diameter of a garden hose! It must have left you wondering why you cannot just use a measuring tape to get the diameters or measurements you seek. There are various reasons for this: it is not the best way to find the inside diameter of a hose.
The diameter of the opening of a garden hose is often different than the rest of the hose. The connections on the ends of a garden hose are generally wider in size and sport a larger diameter than the rest of it. In addition to this, different brands have different sizes of connections, and there is no general uniformity in the opening and size of the garden hose.
You can measure the outside connection and then subtract its width from the measurement. These steps, however, will not yield accurate results. The size will be measured inaccurately in this method.
Endnotes
The outside and inside diameter of garden hoses dictates their suitability to water your garden. A smaller diameter opening means that you will have a lesser flow of water but with larger water pressure. You need to be aware of the diameter of your garden hose when you choose one.
You can measure a hose’s inch in diameter using dowels without the fittings through the opening, the outside male or female opening’s diameter, or an index card on one end in a quick manner.
In this manner, you will be able to find the perfect use for the hoses and hose fittings you already have. It will also help you check which type of hose and fitting to choose to buy next.
FAQs
Some Frequently Asked Questions regarding measuring garden hoses size and its fitting.
1. What are the standard sizes of garden hose and hose fitting found in the market?
The standard size of a garden hose is generally 3/4 11.5nh or 5/8 11.5nh. You also have other sizes like the 3/8 inch hose.
2. Can you use a ruler to measure your hose diameter?
The male and female end of a hose opening is larger than the inside diameters. So, the inside diameter size cannot be measured with a ruler. This size needs to be measured using dowels or the index card method.
3. What material is used for standard hose pipe and hose fitting usually?
A standard garden hose is made of metal/plastic. Check that the spray nozzle of metal for ease of use.
James Fields is the founder of Gardener to Farmer. His passion for gardening goes back to his childhood days when he would visit his grandfather during the holidays and help him with the plants in the backyard. This has now translated to creating a dependable resource for gardening.