What Size is a Garden Hose Thread?

Introduction

Garden hoses are a common way to help distribute water from a faucet to different areas of a garden. The hose thread size is an important aspect of these hoses and one that is off-putting and confusing to many gardeners. Understanding these thread sizes allows for a better understanding of the application of different garden hoses and the equipment one needs to attach it to the faucet.

Thread Sizing Basics

Threads are a uniform size in order to ensure a secure connection between two different pieces of equipment. Specifically for garden hoses, strong connections are necessary in order to minimize the risk of water leakage. Different fittings may be found for the hose, such as those for attaching it to the faucet, another hose, or a garden nozzle.

Male vs. Female Threads

Malethreads stick out from the fitting and are cylindrical in shape. Female threads fit into a piece of equipment and have a ridge or groove in their interior. Standard US garden hoses have a 5/8 inch male-threaded fitting on one end and a female threaded fitting on the other end.

Types of Threads

National Pipe Thread (NPT) is the most common type of threads used for garden hose fittings in the United States. NPT threads are a series of ridges with alternating peaks and valleys which form threads.

Garden hose fittings include National Pipe Straight (NPS), National Pipe Tapered (NPT), Garden Hose Thread (GHT), and British Standard Pipe (BSP).

What Size is a Garden Hose Thread?

The size of the garden hose fitting thread depends on the type of thread. It is always good to have an understanding of the type and size of thread used for each piece of equipment so that a proper fitting can be found.

NPS (National Pipe Straight):

NPS threads have a constant diameter along its entire length, and is of 11.5 threads per inch (13/16th inch diameter) and is not tapered. These fittings are commonly found on the end of garden hoses in the US.

NPT (National Pipe Tapered):

NPT threads taper along their entire length, which helps to form a tighter and secure connection when attaching to fittings. NPT fittings have a diameter of 11.5 threads per inch (27/16th inch diameter) and are commonly used for hot and cold water systems.

GHT (Garden Hose Threads):

The GHT thread is 11.5 threads per inch (13/16ths inch diameter) and is commonly used for garden hoses in the US. The GHT thread, unlike the NPT, is slightly flattened and has an oval shape. This thread type allows for an easy connection to other equipment such as nozzles and other hoses, but is not as strong as a NPT thread.

BSP (British Standard Pipe):

British Standard Pipe threads are commonly used in the UK for garden hose fittings. BSP fittings typically have a diameter of 14 threads per inch (15/16th inch diameter).

Insights

Understanding the type and size of garden hose thread is important for finding the right fitting to secure the hose properly. In the United States and United Kingdom, the most common thread type used for garden hose fittings are NPS, NPT, GHT, and BSP, all with different sizes. Knowing the type and size of the thread one needs and the different thread types available is an essential part of finding the right hose fittings for one's needs.

For more information on types of threads and their sizes, websites like HoseFittings.com and McMaster-Carr are good sources of information to help one find the type and size of thread for gardening applications.

Closing Remarks

Garden hose threads are essential for ensuring that hoses are securely attached and that no water leakage occurs. Understanding the type and size of the thread is essential for finding the right pieces of equipment and fittings to attach the hose. NPS, NPT, GHT, and BSP are the most common types of threads used for garden hoses in the United States and United Kingdom, and each thread type comes in various sizes. Knowing the size of the thread for the hose is important for making sure that the right fitting is used to secure the hose and minimize water leakage.