Watering your garden or lawn is easy with a garden hose and faucet. The connection of the faucet and hose have to be fit and firm for proper transportation of water. The thread fittings of these fittings play the prime role in snug connections.
What is the standard size of garden hose thread?
Garden hose threads in the USA come in one standard size of ¾ inches or 0.75 inches. It is the diameter of the threaded fitting. This measurement is not engraved in garden hose threads because they come solely in this size, unlike pipe threads. MHT and FHT are the two thread fittings of this type.
Garden hose threads are efficient fittings that ensure a tight grip and no leakage. They must be compatible in their size and type to be the most effective and last longer.
Loose fittings on these threads can leak water and cause a mess. Moreover, if these fittings do not fit in the ridges between the male and female thread, the fittings might snap. They have to fit snugly and in the exact gaps.
They come in different price ranges depending on the material of the fitting. The expensive ones last longer because of their quality. But they should all fit irrespective of the manufacturing material.
The standard for garden hose threads is 0.75 inches in diameter. Measure the inner and outer diameter of the hose threads to connect them with the fittings in your house.
What size are garden hose threads?
The lines at the fitting joints of taps and garden hose fittings are the garden hose threads. These threads are found on the outside and inside of these taps or hoses.
Connectors of this type are of two kinds or categories. One is the FHT, and the other is the MHT. FHT is the female hose thread, and MHT is the male hose thread.
When the ridgelines are outside the fitting, it is the male fitting. And the inside ridge line ones are the female hose thread. These threads connect for a connection that does not leak. But their sizes may be the same for a sound and leak-free joint or connection.
GHT is the unit for measuring garden hose threads. Garden hose threads are of the same size throughout the country. The measurement is 3/4 inches in diameter. There are 11.5 TPI or threads per inch in these hose threads.
There are two types of threads, viz., pipe threads that come in different sizes, and hose threads have only one size.
There is no mention of the size or designations in a hose thread. But there are size mentions in the pipe thread. It is because garden hose threads are everywhere of the same size.
To make a connection, you will need both FHT and GHT of ¾’’. Otherwise, the connection will be loose or too tight.
How do you measure outside hose threads?
Garden Hose Threads are measured by their inner and outer diameter. You can use Vernier slide calipers or rulers to measure the circumference of garden hose threads.
There are two types of garden hose thread. Since we are talking about outside hose threads, the thread is a male thread.
Clean and dry the hose threads:
Clean the hose threads with water and dry them. It will help in the removal of any dirt or greasy element on the ridges. It will give you the correct measurement.
White string and a marker:
Take a white string and a marker, using which we will measure the outside of the threaded fitting.
Wrap the string:
Wrap the white string all around the measuring hose thread fitting in a parallel manner. Make one full rotation.
Mark the point:
Mark the connecting point of the strings with a marker.
Measure the length:
Open the string straight and measure its length up to the marked portion with a tape or ruler.
Get the O.D:
This is the circumference of the threaded fitting. Now divide it with 3.1416 to get the O.D. or Outside Diameter of the hose thread.
Convert:
Now convert the outside diameter into nominal diameter by using a standard chart or calculator.
What if your hose and faucet have threads of different sizes?
When hose and faucet threads are of different sizes, adapters and other methods to deal with them are available. So of the ways are:
Three-way adapters:
If your hose thread and adapter thread do not match, then you can buy adapters. Three-way connectors or adapters serve multi-purposes. You can connect as many as three hoses and faucets using this adapter.
Male-male adapters:
Male adapters help to connect hoses and faucets that both have female joints. The adapter then comes in two male fitting ends to join them.
Female-female adapters:
Similarly, female adapters join fittings with male fitting on the faucet and hose.
Male-female adapters:
You can also have one female and one male faucet and hose, but they differ in size. In that case, these adapters connect them.
Balloon and duct tape:
This is a temporary solution to unsized faucets and hoses. Cut the circular end of a balloon and then introduce the tip of the balloon opening into the hose.
And then pull the open part of the balloon along with the faucet, and they fix the connection with lots of duct tape.
Couplings:
couplings can hold up your hose to the faucet. These couplings are effective in case of broken fittings as well.
Is garden hose thread the same as pipe thread?
Garden hose threads and pipe threads are not the same types of threads. They are different in their design and application purposes.
Pipe threads are the threads that are in use for plumbing purposes. But garden hose threads are the ones used for household gardening and outdoor usage.
There is no mention of size in garden hose threads. But you will find the size of pipe threads engraved on each end of the connections you are using.
There can be ¾“ pipe threads as well. But garden hose threads are of one standard size.
Pipe threads have a more tapered end. Whereas the garden hose threads are non-tapered.
Garden hose threads are general on bibs or faucet connection that goes outside from inside the house. Pipe thread connections are familiar on the plumbing connections inside the house or garden hoses as well.
How to connect a sprinkler to a garden hose
A sprinkler is an instrument that sprinkles water all over your garden or lawn. Sprinklers are in use in places with huge fields or lawns with small grass.
Steps to connect a sprinkler to a garden hose:
Make the hose even:
At first, you need to make sure the end of the garden hose where you will attach your sprinkle is evenly cut. If it is uneven, cut the hose and make it even.
Screw the connector:
Take a garden hose connector. Put the hose inside the connecter and fit it tightly and then screw the connector properly.
Wrap with a thread tape:
Then, take a thread tape and wrap the threaded end of the sprinkler head. It will prevent any leakage through the connection point.
Connect the sprinkler:
Now, you are ready to connect the garden hose to the sprinkler.
Connect the sprinkler to the connecter, attached to the garden hose, and screw it tightly to finish connecting the hose to the sprinkler.
Garden hose thread vs pipe thread –
Garden hose threads and pipe threads are different types of threads that are not compatible.
GHT stands for Garden Hose Thread and NPT for National Pipe Taper.
Some of their main differences are:
Diameter or Size:
GHT comes in one size or diameter of ¾”.
NPT varies in size due to the availability of manufacturers. They come in a diameter of 1 inch, ¾ inch, ¼ inch, and ½ inch.
Usage:
GHT is particularly in use for hose connections.
NPT is for connections of pipe.
Material:
GHT comes in options of steel, copper, brass, and plastic.
NPT does not come in plastic. They are available in stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, and copper.
Types of fittings:
GHT usages are for faucets, bibs, spigots, etc.
NPT is for valves, tees, caps, elbows, etc.
Best for:
GHT is best for transportation of water for landscapes and gardening. NPT is best for the transportation of water, air, gas, steam, etc.
TPI:
The standard for GHT is 11.5 threads per inch. They are non-tapered.
For NPT, the standard is 14 threads per inch. They are a little tapered at the end.
Costing:
GHT prices ranges from 2$ – 500$.
NPT ranges from 1$ – 600$.
Types of sealant:
Rubber washers and O-rings are the sealants for GHT.
For NPT, there are Teflon tapes, i.e., PTFE tapes.
Final Thoughts
0.75 inches or ¾’’ garden hose threads are available all over the country. All manufacturers produce this size of garden hose threads. For connecting the hose with the faucet, use female and male threads of the same size. Other than that, it might leak or snap.