Standard Garden Hose Size Measuring Guide
Last updated: 10/30/21
You’re shopping for a new water hose because the old and tired current regular hose you inherited has sprung a leak and you’re tired of getting wet every time you turn it on to water your plants.
Maybe your spouse has decided that they need a new hose and you just don’t know what to buy.
Just a few years ago, most people just bought your typical garden hose. So before you venture into your local home improvement store, looking for the basic vinyl hose and then see the different sized hoses and types of hoses.
It can be a little confusing. So what do you buy? What types of hose are available? Let me help you out.
Green thumb Gardener occasionally links to product and/or services offered by vendors to assist you with all your gardening needs. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased.
Want to Download a Garden Hack Guide for FREE
Enter your email below and we will send you a guide to help you SAVE money in your garden.
What is The Standard Garden Hose Size?
There are three typical diameter sizes of standard garden holes:
- 5/8 inch Hoses
- 3/4 inch Hoses
- 1/2 inch Hoses
Just remember that the bigger the diameter, the more adequate water flow you will get, but you also need to think if you are going to get too much water flow.
Different Lengths of Garden Hoses & Uses
Now you need to decide what length you need. Are you doing light watering or deep watering. Sizes for hoses typically range from 25 feet (7.62 m) to 100 feet (30.48 m). How much do you need, that depends on your yard and the uses.
Why buy a 100-foot hose when a 25-foot hose will easily suit your purpose.
Do you have a smaller yard with a spigot in the front and back of your house? Are all your plants in one area of your yard or do you have plants throughout your yard?
You need the one that’s going to do the size and type of hose for you. You can also buy a hose joiner if you only need to use a longer one occasionally and prefer your current hose to be smaller.
- For a smaller yard or use a faucet adapter, stick with your 25 or 50 foot hose. They are easier to coil back up and are less likely to kink on you as you are watering your garden. You can choose from a rubber hose, a soaker hose or sprinkler hose for watering the lawn, a flat hose that roll up or expandable hose that will shrink back to the smaller size when the water is turned off. Remember that a lightweight hose can work as well as a heavy rubber hose.
- If you have a large yard or only one outdoor faucet on the property, by all means go with a 75 or 100-foot option or you might be filling up your watering can and carrying it to those far plants. Just remember that the hose weight will be heavier and slightly more difficult to maneuver. You will probably want a coiled hose and a hose reel for easier storage, but expandable hoses in longer lengths are also available.
- You also want to consider the warranty of the hose you choose, such as if it has a 5-year warranty or a 10-year warranty. A few years down the road, you might be thankful that you did.
Measuring a Hoses Diameter
The hose diameter is the distance across the inside of your hose. There are two very easy ways to measure this.
If you want the same size as you already have, take a ruler out to your hose and measure across the inside. Or take a paper tube and put it in the inside of the opening and measure across.
You might also check if your current type of fitting for your spray attachment will take that size. Most fitting like a 1 quick-connect coupler are universal, but it never hurts to check.
Different Diameter Sizes Of Garden Hoses
While picking the length you need can be straight forward due to your yard size, choosing the diameter has more to do with how you use your hose and the flow rate you desire.
There also choose your preference of different types of fittings for your hose, such metal fitting, aluminum fitting, brass fittings or plastic fittings.
- The most standard diameter found is the 5/8 diameter. It is an all-around good size for your yard. It also has a heavier flow. You want to control that flow with accessories like a hose nozzle. You don’t want to flood your yard, especially if you have to lay it down during the course of your watering. It’s also great for watching your car or filling up that kiddie pool. It is a great all-around hose.
- You will also find many a hose diameter of 3/4 and 1/2 inch will also work well as it’s just a little smaller than the 5/8 size, and are wonderful for your baskets and container plants. It allows a nice stream of water that won’t damage your delicate plants and flood your yard. To put it simply, don’t crush your pretty and delicate flowers with too much water. There are spray nozzles that fit all these standard sizes.
- You can find larger size, such as a 1-inch hose, but those are mostly used by professional gardeners and those who use a pressure washer and need a heavy duty hose and the flow may too much for your home gardener, so it’s best to go with one of the standards for your gardening needs.
- Remember that the larger your house is, the more minute flow rate you will receive. Typically, your hose flow rate is between nine and 17 gallons per minute. If you are trying to conserve water for lower your water bill, that is a big thing to consider. The smaller sizes will have a lower flow rate. The water pressure that you have also make a difference.
Final Thoughts
Who knew there were so many options on picking out a hose! Now you know why there are so many options to choose from at the store and you are an informed consumer. Go get out there and buy your new hose and happy gardening.
