Possessing a garden hose is, without a doubt, one of the crucial necessities for any gardener.
With a myriad of options currently saturating the market, it’s hardly surprising that many people find themselves perplexed by the dimensions of standard hoses.
The go-to size for garden hoses in the US typically sits at 5/8 inches in diameter. But don’t feel restricted; there’s a whole array of other sizes, like the 3/4 and 1/2 inch options that you’ll likely come across in numerous garden supply and hardware outlets.
When it comes to residential use, garden hose fittings usually sport an 11.5 NH thread size. You’ll find this to be a universal standard across the US, with a variety of fittings readily available to suit this thread size and your hose’s diameter.
However, just grabbing any garden hose off the shelf may not be quite enough…
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What Are The Standard Garden Hose Sizes?
There are many parts of a garden hose, all with different sizes. It’s essential to find the perfect match of garden hose and fittings to avoid unnecessary water wastage plus saving time and money.
Standard garden hose sizes vary in aspects like internal diameter size, length, weight, ply layers, thread size, and hose washer size. Each aspect contributes to the hose’s performance, durability, and its suitability for different tasks.
So, let’s dig a little deeper into the standard garden hose sizes you’ll encounter:
Internal Diameter Size
A typical garden hose comes with a standard internal diameter size of ½ inch, ⅝ inch, or ¾ inch. The larger the diameter, the more water the hose can carry and provide a higher flow rate (GPM).
Many hose owners don’t know the diameter of the tool they use regularly. So they need to measure the garden hose diameter to find the correct fittings.
Length
The length of a hose can range anywhere from 25 feet to 300 feet, with the most common being 50 feet.
Weight
The weight of a hose depends mainly on its material and size. Rubber hoses tend to be heavier than their vinyl or expandable counterparts. A 50ft rubber hose can weigh around 10lbs
Ply Layers
A hose might have one to six-ply layers. They often consist of a core layer, reinforcement layer, and jacket layer. Hoses that are heavy-duty will normally have more ply layers and a higher burst pressure rating.
Thread Size
The standard garden hose thread size, often referred to as the Garden Hose Thread (GHT), typically comes in ¾ inch with 11.5 threads per inch or 11.5 NH. This is in an industry standard where NH means National Hose.
Hose Washer Size
Standard garden hose washers are typically 25mm or 1 inch in outer diameter. The inner diameter is 16mm or 5/8 inches. They usually have a thickness of 3mm or 1/8 inches.
Garden Hose Size Chart
Since there are various sizes and types of garden hoses, a garden hose size chart can be a handy tool to refer to.
This chart lists the various tasks and my recommended hose sizes:
| Task | Hose Internal Diameter | Hose Length |
| Small gardening tasks | 50ft | ⅝ inch |
| Large gardening tasks | 100ft | ⅝ inch |
| Pressure washer | 50ft | ¾ inch |
| Garden irrigation | 100ft | ¾ inch |
Why Does Size Matter?
The critical element in the functionality and efficacy of a hose undeniably resides in its size.
Consider this: a hose equipped with a larger diameter presents the capacity to convey water in greater volumes and at a higher velocity than its narrower counterparts. Bear this in mind when deciding between a 3/4 vs a 5/8 diameter hose.
Larger hoses can present a paradoxical downside in the form of decreased water pressure at the point of delivery when compared to smaller hoses.
To match the water output pressure achievable with a smaller diameter hose, one might find it necessary to increase the faucet’s flow for a larger hose. Consequently, despite their more substantial size, larger hoses may not invariably guarantee a higher gallons per minute flow rate if your faucet cannot supply enough water to it.
This proportional relationship between the hose’s size and its performance merits careful contemplation, especially when choosing a garden or watering hose.
For instance, if the task at hand involves irrigating a large expanse of lawn or grass from a distance, a larger hose is recommended.
It can be seamlessly paired with a sprinkler, allowing it to accumulate enough pressure to disperse water across a broader area effectively.
Conversely, should your horticultural endeavors remain confined to the vicinity of your home, a smaller and cheaper hose may be sufficient. This more compact option obviates the need for elevated flow rates, making it the ideal choice for watering domestic plants.
Size and Flow Rates
The size of your garden hose directly affects the flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM). A larger hose diameter means a higher GPM, allowing faster and more efficient watering.
However, it’s important to note that water pressure from your source can also greatly influence the flow rate.
Finding Correct Size Fittings For Your Hose
When it comes to fittings, a standard garden hose fitting size is essential. Female fittings, or the part that connects to the water source, and the male fittings, or the part that connects to the hose nozzle, are typically ¾ inch in size for a standard garden hose.
Standard Garden Hose Fitting Size
Standard garden hose fittings come in a ¾ inch size, with a thread count of 11.5 threads per inch. These are designed to fit most standard faucets and hose attachments.
Common Sizes For Standard Garden Hose
The most common sizes for a standard garden hose are ½ inch, ⅝ inch, and ¾ inch in terms of diameter, and 25 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet in terms of length.
Shorter hoses are excellent for simple tasks like watering plants or cleaning nearby outdoor furniture, while longer ones are ideal for larger yards or commercial cleaning
What Size Garden Hose For A Pressure Washer?
For a pressure washer, you’ll generally need a garden hose with a larger diameter, typically a ⅝ inch or ¾ inch hose. This is to ensure a sufficient water flow rate to generate the necessary water pressure.
How Do I Know What Size Garden Hose I Need?
Determining the right size garden hose depends on your specific needs. Consider the distance from your water source to the area you’re watering, the type of tasks you plan to perform, and the water pressure your tasks require.
If you’re using the hose for heavy-duty watering tasks, you might need a larger garden hose diameter and length. If you’re just using it to water plants or for cleaning purposes, a smaller, more manageable hose might suffice.
Here is what I recommend:
- Light gardening with small garden: 50ft hose with ⅝ inch diameter
- Light gardening with large garden: 100ft hose with ⅝ inch diameter
- Pressure washing: 50ft hose with ¾ inch diameter
- Irrigation: 100ft hose with ¾ inch diameter
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect garden hose size can be a game-changer. With the right size, you can efficiently maintain your garden, ensure your tasks are completed more efficiently, and even extend the life of your hose.
So next time you’re shopping for a garden hose, remember to keep these sizing factors in mind to select the best option for your needs.
FAQs
1. What’s the most common garden hose size? The most common size for a garden hose is ⅝ inch in diameter and 50 feet in length.
2. Is a bigger hose diameter better? A bigger hose diameter allows for higher water flow, making it better for tasks requiring more water. However, it can be heavier and harder to manage.
3. What size hose is best for a pressure washer? A ⅝ inch or ¾ inch hose is generally recommended for a pressure washer. A larger internal diameter is better.
4. How does the length of the hose affect its performance? The longer the hose, the more the water pressure drops over the distance it has to travel. So, a shorter hose will provide higher pressure at the output end.
5. What’s the standard thread size on a garden hose? The standard thread size on a garden hose is ¾ inch with 11.5 threads per inch (11.5 NH).