First, what is the standard garden hose size?
The three most popular garden hose diameters are ¾ inch, five-eighths inch, and half inch. These measurements are based on the hose’s inside diameter, not its exterior. The capacity of the hose increases with increase in diameter.
The most practical hose width is typically five-eighths of an inch.
Please continue reading after I give you the more specific information.
Table of Contents
How Do You Calculate A Hose’s Size?
For water to continue flowing at the rate you are used to while watering plants or washing your car, you must know how to measure the size of your current hose.
Standard garden hose size comes in measurements such as:
- 1/2 inch
- 5/8 inch
- 3/4 inch
- 1 inch
The key to getting the right size is realizing that the measurement you use to determine size is the garden hose inner diameter.
Don’t make the mistake of measuring the metal part of the hose because it is likely that the metal ends are slightly larger than the actual hose diameter.
The best way to gauge the size of your garden hose is to follow these easy steps:
Disconnect Hose
Your hose should be disconnected from the water source, and any fittings that were not originally on the hose should be taken off.
Slice off the outdated fitting if you’re going to replace an end fitting. This cut will leave the hose hole exposed with no obstructions, which facilitates measurement.
Check Opening
The opening inside the metal fitting that screws onto the spigot can be seen by turning the hose’s end upward.
Measure Diameter
If at all possible, use a measuring tape to determine the diameter of the rubber hose opening. I am aware that getting an exact measurement can be challenging because the metal fitting prevents the tape from lying flat against the hose opening.
The diameter can also be marked on a small scrap of paper and transferred to the measuring tape as another trick.
If you have a good selection of metal drill bits on hand or wooden dowels, those are the two best measuring tools. You probably only need three sizes of dowel or drill bit to measure this way because the majority of hoses sold are 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4 inch in size.
HINT: Today, 5/8-inch garden hoses make up the majority of sales.
Start by inserting the 1/2-inch dowel into the opening.
The size is 1/2 inch if the dowel fits perfectly. Moving up to the 5/8-inch and then the 3/4-inch dowels will help you achieve a tight fit if the dowel has any wiggle room.
Anything bigger indicates that the hose opening is one inch wide, which is not common but is still a possibility.
Double Check Measurements
By measuring diagonally across the end of the dowel or drill bit with your ruler, you can double-check the size. See more about What Is The Difference Between Hose And Pipe?
What Is Garden Hose Fittings Thread Size?
Your garden hose fittings are not measured and threaded based on the external or internal diameter. There are two different types of garden hose. When used with thin-walled couplers, NHR is cut into full-form threads. GHT typically uses female hose thread (FHT) and male garden hose thread (MHT) for hose connections.
The outer thread diameter and thread pitch in the US are 1.0625 inches and 11.5 TPI, respectively. With an inner diameter of 125 mm and a 15 mm outer diameter, a 19 mm GHT fitting works perfectly. It should be noted, though, that GHT is incompatible with NPT. Even so, some hoses can be used with female National Pipe Straight Hose (NPSH). Additionally, the parallel threads in the US are not tapered, making PTFE tape seals inappropriate for use. O-rings are combined with fittings to stop leaks.
British Standard Pipe Tapered (BSPT) and British Standard Pipe Parallel (BSPP) are the two variations of the BSP standard that are used outside of the United States. BSPP is the best option when it comes to garden hoses. A 3/4-inch BSP thread is included with garden taps. For business purposes, we employ a 7/8-inch BSP.
Sizes Of Garden Hose Connectors
Common sizes for garden hose connectors are 3/4 and 5/8 inches. It is in accordance with the hose’s internal diameter. The most popular size for garden hose fittings is 3/4-inch (11.5NH), which comes in a variety of sizes. Additionally ideal for commercial use is this size. It should be noted that garden hose fittings typically fit the majority of hoses in general.
The Definition Of Garden Hose Thread
The lines on garden hose fittings that enable the hose to perfectly fit the tap or other external equipment are referred to as garden hose threads. There are various garden hose thread sizes to choose from. A tight fit with uniformity is guaranteed by using the ideal thread size. Garden hose thread size is denoted by the letters National Hose (NH) and Garden Hose Thread (GHT) for the purpose of standardization. The most typical gardening hose thread size is 11.5 NH.
Types Of Garden Hoses
You can read our recommendations and descriptions of the most popular garden hose types below. For pricing information, hover your cursor over each product name or image.
Lightweight / Light Duty Hoses
These hoses tend to be made of vinyl and can kink more easily. They frequently have plastic fittings and tend to have thinner diameters, but their prices are in the lower range.
A lightweight hose should be sufficient if you’re gardening on a tight budget, won’t be using it frequently, don’t need a long hose (over 50 feet), have low water pressure, or don’t use a sprinkler or hose nozzle.
Light duty hoses are available online, but your best bet is to go to your neighborhood garden center or home improvement store. Although many of them are ideal for light duty use, you will also find some of the heavier duty hoses there.
Expandable Hoses
It’s likely that you have seen television commercials for these scrunchie-like hoses that, when filled with water, can expand up to three times their original length. They typically weigh less than 1 lb and are available in vibrant colors. The majority are ½ inch in diameter and have a sufficient water flow akin to a non-expandable garden hose of that diameter, but not as much as a regular hose.
Even though expandable hoses do expand as promised, they eventually lose their ability to properly contract, making them difficult to coil or store. Be aware that as the water pressure in the hose decreases after you open the nozzle after it has been expanded, the nozzle will oftentimes shrunk dramatically.
Additionally, due to the thin (non-reinforced) and highly flexible inner tube, expandable hoses are vulnerable to rupturing if you have high water pressure or leave the hose fully extended in the sun. See more about What Is TED Hose
How Should I Select A Garden Hose?
Examine the specifics and truly comprehend what the options mean to make the best water hose choice for your garden. Let’s examine the characteristics of a hose that will really matter in more detail.
Hose Materials
The best garden hose is durable enough to withstand repeated use. You know how annoying it can be if a hose ever splits, cracks, or becomes brittle. Before making a purchase, pay attention to the material a hose is made of; this will give you a good idea of how simple it will be to use and how long it will last.
Gilmour’s Flexogen Hoses are more than just plastic tubes; they are made of eight layers, starting with an outer layer that is resistant to abrasion and ultraviolet (UV) light damage. Flexogen hoses are flexible and easy to bend as you move around the garden or yard thanks to inner layers of nylon and foam.
When shopping for hoses, the end of the hose is a crucial component that many people overlook. Lighter-weight couplings can bend easily, even with only light use—even if you just accidentally step on them. A hose can be a real pain if the coupling sustains even minor damage. Your heavy duty garden hoses may be difficult to connect to spigots, nozzles, and sprinklers if the couplings are bent. Check to see if your hose has a sturdy brass coupling that can withstand bumps and drops. Nobody intentionally backs over the end of a hose, but in the unlikely event that you do, a brass coupling should hold up just fine.
Hose Length
Another crucial factor is the length of the hose. If your yard is small, there is no need to purchase a 100-foot hose, but a hose that is too short will cause you frustration each time you use it. Purchase a hose that extends just past the distance that is furthest from the spigot. Always purchase a hose that is a little longer than you anticipate needing.
With no need to step through your flowerbeds or bushes, you can walk around a tree on either side in the garden, down the front walkway, and around to the lawn. A hose that is the proper length will prevent you from pulling on it, which over time may cause it to become stretched out. Four different hose lengths, ranging from 25 feet to 100 feet, are available for Gilmour’s Super Duty Flexogen hoses.
Hose Diameter
There are several options for garden hose diameter when looking for the best one. Which do you ultimately decide? Most homeowners only need a standard garden hose size of ½ inch in diameter because common household piping is typically ½ inch in diameter. Although a garden hose with a diameter of 5/8 inches might also work for you, doing so will probably result in extra weight. A ¾ inch diameter might be preferable for those with demanding watering requirements and wider piping, such as commercial landscapers. The larger diameter can not only deliver more water but also compensate for variations in water pressure, such as running a hose uphill.
Hose Extensions
Consider purchasing two hoses that you can connect with quick connectors if you have a sizable yard. By doing this, you can use a shorter, lighter garden hose size whenever it’s not necessary to carry the extra weight.
Hose Durability
As you go through the various garden hose types, you’ll come across the word “duty” (light duty, medium duty, heavy duty, super duty), and you might not know where to go from there. Although it might seem like a lighter-weight garden hose would be easier to maneuver, these hoses can also kink annoyingly. A super duty hose with top-of-the-line materials will last you season after season and is ideal for routine watering and cleaning tasks.
The patented foam layer construction of Gilmour’s Flexogen Super Duty Hose reduces the weight of the hose while maintaining kink resistance. The layers are connected by the tri-extrusion process for the highest level of strength and durability. In order to avoid abrasions when dragging the hose across the driveway, it also has a protective outer cover.
A hose’s PSI rating can be used to determine how much static burst pressure it can withstand while in use. A hose that has a higher PSI will be more durable and have a longer lifespan so that it can withstand temperature changes, increased water pressure, more pressure spikes, and a wider range of cleaning and gardening tasks. For instance, the Flexogen Super Duty Hose from Gilmour has a 600 PSI rating.
Hose Care
The best garden hoses are weather-resistant in all conditions, but you can extend their lifespan by giving them extra care during the winter. Your hoses should be drained and kept away from frost before the first overnight freeze.
Put your hose on an elevated surface in the fall, like a picnic table, and let the end fall to the ground. The hose will naturally empty itself due to the difference in elevation creating a siphon. You could also simply lay the hose out on the lawn, grab one end, and pull it towards you by hand. At the very end, the water will empty. Aside from that, you can stroll along it while draining it.
After draining your garden hose, keep it inside and out of the elements. In the event that water in a hose freezes and expands, leaving it outside all season can seriously harm its structure. A hose can develop permanent kinks if it is kept coiling up on a long nail. Instead, spend money on a high-quality hose hanger. The hose can be neatly coiled and stored on the hanger until the springtime weather tempts you back into the garden.
Hose Repair
Lawnmowers typically prevail over hoses in battles of will. But a damaged hose doesn’t necessarily need to be thrown away. – All you need to repair a good hose is a hose-mending kit. Not even a fancy tool is required. Simply cut the hose on either side of the break with Gilmour’s compression mender; smooth the edges with scissors. After that, slide each new end onto the mender like sleeves by threading it through one of the threaded collars. To tighten, reposition the collars in the middle. Your favorite water hose can be restored to perfect condition in just a few seconds!
Material – Rubber Is Best
Garden hoses come in a range of colors and materials
Rubber, vinyl, or a combination of the two are the most frequent materials used to make garden hoses.
A basic vinyl hose (usually reinforced with a radial cord) is the least expensive and most lightweight option but also the least sturdy. In comparison to other materials, it is more prone to kinking, splitting, and cracking, and it can quickly deteriorate in the sun or in adverse weather. A vinyl garden hose can be a good option, though, if money is tight and you only plan to use the hose for light gardening work.
Rubber hoses are generally the strongest and most long-lasting, but also carry the highest price tag and can be heavy to haul around the garden. Rubber also has the added advantages of being able to transport hot water, being less prone to kinking, and being resistant to cracking and ozone deterioration (so they won’t disintegrate if left in the sun). Rubber is the best material to use for heavy-duty applications and a hose that lasts through several seasons.
A middle-of-the-road option is a composite rubber/vinyl garden hose.
Reinforced hoses (usually reinforced with a mesh lining between layers of vinyl and/or rubber) are more resistant to kinking and splitting, and can take higher water pressure levels.
Although additional layers (or “plies”) tend to suggest a stronger hose, don’t put too much stock in this figure—the number of layers doesn’t matter as much as what those layers are made from. Under similar circumstances, a thickening “mesh” layer is a positive development.
Be careful with both rubber and vinyl garden hoses as they leach chemicals into the water than make it unsafe to drink. Invest in a “drinking water safe” hose if you or your pets will be drinking from it. These are typically made of polyurethane and have been specially constructed to not leak dangerous chemicals.
The Bottom Line
What size garden hose should I buy?
A half-inch hose may be ideal if hose weight is a concern for you. Despite having a smaller diameter and a tendency to be lighter in weight, they don’t carry as much water. In order to perform light-duty gardening tasks, such as watering hanging baskets and containers, half-inch garden hoses should be kept to a length of 50 feet or less. Sprinklers and other water-intensive activities (like washing a car) should not be done with these hoses.
Have a try!
Thank you for reading!
