Garden Hose Thread Size Chart: Quick Guide 2026

Most garden hoses use 3/4-11.5 NH threads; see sizes, adapters, and compatibility here.

I build and fix hose systems for homes and farms. In this guide, I break down the garden hose thread size chart in plain language. You will learn standards, exact sizes, how to measure threads, and what adapters to buy. If you want zero leaks and no returns, this garden hose thread size chart is the map you need.

What garden hose thread means: standards, names, and how they seal

Garden hose threads are different from pipe threads. The common US hose thread is straight, not tapered. It seals with a flat washer at the face, not with tape in the threads.

Key terms you will see in any garden hose thread size chart:

GHT or NH means Garden Hose Thread, also called National Hose. It is straight thread.
MHT means Male Hose Thread. FHT means Female Hose Thread.
NPT means National Pipe Taper. It is a tapered pipe thread. Do not mix it with GHT.
BSPP/BSPT means British Standard Pipe, parallel or tapered. Many UK and EU taps use BSPP.
Washer or gasket makes the seal on GHT. Use a flat rubber or O-ring. Teflon tape is for NPT, not for GHT.

Why this matters: GHT and NPT can look close in size. They do not fit right. Cross-threading wrecks fittings and leaks waste water.

Garden hose thread size chart

Use this garden hose thread size chart to match faucets, hoses, and adapters. It lists the most common standards you will meet at home, in the garden, and on small farms.

United States and Canada (home and light commercial)

Standard thread: 3/4-11.5 NH (also called 3/4 GHT), straight thread, 60-degree form
Names on packages: MHT/FHT, Garden Hose Thread, Hose Bib Thread
Seal type: Flat washer in the female swivel
Quick ID: Count about 11 to 12 threads in one inch. The outside of the male thread measures about 1.06 inches

United Kingdom and much of Europe (taps and accessories)

Common outdoor tap: 3/4 BSPP (parallel), 14 TPI, 55-degree form
Other sizes you may see: 1/2 BSPP indoors, 1 BSPP for high-flow taps
Seal type: Often a washer or a captive O-ring at the face or with a separate gasket

Pipe threads you may need behind the wall or on pumps

US NPT (tapered): 1/2 NPT, 3/4 NPT, 1 NPT are common feed sizes
UK/EU BSPT (tapered): Similar use cases to NPT but different angle and pitch

Quick-connect systems

The plug and socket convert to the base thread
In the US, the base is 3/4-11.5 NH
In the UK/EU, the base is often 3/4 BSPP

Important note for the garden hose thread size chart

Hose inner size, like 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4 inch, is the inside diameter of the hose, not the thread size
In the US, a 1/2-inch hose still uses 3/4-11.5 NH ends by default

If you only remember one line from this garden hose thread size chart: US hoses and hose bibs use 3/4-11.5 NH, straight thread, sealed by a washer.

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How to identify your hose threads at home

You can match threads in minutes with simple checks. No lab tools needed.

Steps

Measure the outside across the male thread. About 1.06 inches points to 3/4-11.5 NH. About 26.4 mm points to 3/4 BSPP.
Count threads per inch. Use a ruler. If you count 11 or 12 in 1 inch, it is likely NH/GHT. If you count 14, it is likely 3/4 BSPP.
Check how it seals. If there is a flat washer in the female end, it is likely GHT or BSPP face seal. If it needs tape in the threads, it is likely NPT or BSPT.
Try a known good match. Take a new hose washer and test against a clean spigot. It should hand-tighten and stop square.

Pro tip from the field

If it only grabs at the first turn or feels gritty, stop. You may have a mismatch. Recheck the garden hose thread size chart before forcing it.

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Common adapters and when to use them

The right adapter saves time and leaks. Here are the ones I keep in my kit.

Useful adapters

MHT to 1/2 NPT male or female to hook hoses to pumps or filters
MHT to 3/4 NPT for larger pipe runs
GHT to 3/4 BSPP for UK/EU gear mixing with US hoses
Dual-thread aerator adapters for indoor faucets to MHT/FHT
Vacuum breaker or backflow preventer with MHT/FHT for code and safety
Quick-connect bases that screw to MHT/FHT, then any plug snaps on

Choose brass for long life. Choose nylon for light duty and to avoid galling. Check the garden hose thread size chart on the package before you buy.

Compatibility pitfalls and easy fixes

Most leaks and returns come from a few common traps. Here is how to dodge them.

Watch out for

Mixing GHT and NPT. The pitch and shape are different. It will leak or crack.
Overtightening. GHT seals at the washer. Snug by hand, then a tiny turn with pliers if needed.
Bad or missing washer. If it drips at the face, replace the washer first.
Teflon tape on GHT. Tape does not help a face seal. It can even block the seal.

Fast fixes I use on service calls

Replace the washer and clean the face. It solves most drips in seconds.
Add a swivel repair end if the crimp is bent. It brings the hose back to life.
Use the garden hose thread size chart to pick the right adapter before you leave the store.

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Performance notes: hose ID vs thread size

Thread size does not set flow. Hose inner diameter and length do. That is why a 5/8-inch hose moves more water than a 1/2-inch hose at the same pressure.

Quick rules that work

Short and wide flows best. A 3/4-inch hose beats a long 1/2-inch hose.
Keep bends smooth. Kinks act like narrow pipes.
The spigot and the nozzle also limit flow. A narrow nozzle can choke a big hose.

Use the garden hose thread size chart for the ends. Then pick hose ID for the job.

Real-world tips from years in the field

I have installed and repaired hundreds of hose bibs and yard taps. These are the small habits that saved me calls and saved clients money.

What works

Carry spare washers. They fix nine out of ten face leaks.
Label adapters by thread. A paint pen with GHT, NPT, BSP saves mix-ups.
Test by hand first. If it does not spin on smooth by hand, it is wrong.
Keep a pocket thread gauge. Count is king when in doubt.

Mistakes I made so you do not have to

I once forced a 3/4 NPT into a brass Y splitter. It felt close. It ruined both parts. Now I check the garden hose thread size chart first, every time.
I used tape on a GHT once. It leaked worse. The fix was a fresh washer and a clean face.

Source: youtube.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard US garden hose thread?

The standard is 3/4-11.5 NH, also called GHT. It is a straight thread that seals with a flat washer.

Does 5/8-inch hose mean 5/8-inch thread?

No. 5/8 inch is the hose inner diameter. The thread on the ends is still 3/4-11.5 NH in the US.

Can I connect NPT to a garden hose?

Yes, but only with an adapter. GHT and NPT have different shapes and pitches, so do not screw them together directly.

How do I tell GHT from BSP?

Count threads and measure. GHT is about 11.5 TPI and 1.06 inches OD, while 3/4 BSPP is 14 TPI and about 26.4 mm OD.

Do I need Teflon tape on garden hose threads?

No. Garden hose threads seal with a flat washer at the face. Tape is for tapered pipe threads like NPT.

What size is a hose bib on my house?

The outlet is 3/4-11.5 NH male in the US. The pipe feeding it is often 1/2 NPT or 3/4 NPT behind the wall.

Where can I find a garden hose thread size chart?

Use the chart in this guide or check packaging that lists GHT/NH, NPT, or BSP. Match the letters and the thread count to avoid leaks.

Conclusion

You can solve most hose problems with clear thread ID and a fresh washer. Know that US garden hoses and spigots use 3/4-11.5 NH, straight thread, and seal at the face. Use this garden hose thread size chart to pick exact adapters and avoid cross-thread pain.

Your next step is simple. Check your spigot, count the threads, and note the size. Then buy the right adapter once, not twice. Want more guides like this garden hose thread size chart? Subscribe and drop your questions in the comments.