What Are Garden Hose Threads? A Quick And Easy 5 Step Guide

Beginner gardeners and landscapers may wonder, ‘what are garden hose threads’? The phrase ‘garden hose threads’ is thrown around throughout the internet, including in many informational blogs and videos, but what are they? Although you may think that garden hose threads have something to do with fabric, this is not the case.

Garden hose threads are pieces of a garden hose where a new accessory is fitted. Technically, the threads are not a piece by themselves, but part of the garden hose fitting. Not all accessories and garden hose threads fit together, which is why it is important to know the differences and which size or type goes with which style.

What Are Garden Hose Threads?

A garden hose has many parts. For example, the main part of a garden hose is the actual hose itself, where water rushes through. One opening is attached to a water pump or reliable water supply, while the other releases water as needed. At the end, where water is released and used, you can attach accessories to make gardening easier.

The way that these accessories attach, though, is through a garden hose’s threads. The threads are small lines inside and outside of the garden hose that have their own unique pattern. The pattern needs to match the attachment. If not, the pieces are not compatible.

Most companies work together to come up with common terms that they can share as well as a standard size for all garden hose threads. For example, most garden hose threads are about 11.5″, which answers your question what is are garden hose threads and the average size of one.

Garden hose threads are also referred to as the National Hose (NH) and Garden Hose Thread (GHT). The names for this item are interchangeable. However, threads like the NPT are not garden nose threads, but threads used for plumbing and water line piping.

Where To Purchase Garden Hose Threads

So, where do you find garden hose threads? Are they expensive or hard to find? Not exactly. Garden hose threads are easy to purchase because they are part of the hose itself. Usually, these hard ridges are on the outside of the hose. However, if you want to look for attachments that fit your size, try going to hardware stores.

There are also mass speciality stores that focus on outdoors, lawn care, and gardening. Your best bet, though, is to look online and specify the thread size you are looking for and the attachments. Start small, though, and purchase a garden hose before looking for attachments.

Quick Five-Step Guide To Choosing The Best Garden Hose Threads

Listed below is a five-step guide that can assist you in learning what are garden hose threads and how to find the best ones for your unique task.

Step 1: Read the Instructions

When you buy a new accessory or garden hose, it comes with a manual or set of instructions.  First, you need to start by reading the instructions. Usually, the instructions tell you exactly what kind of garden hose thread, your garden hose has been installed. If it does not tell you directly, look for information about comparable accessories.

Step 2: Find the Size of your Garden Hose Threads

 What does BSP thread stand for?

Step 2 is the hardest part since you will need to know more than just what garden hose threads are. Instead, it is important to measure and estimate the size or type. The threads inside of your garden hose have a unique way of twisting, bending, and moving. If you choose the wrong size, the garden hose accessory will not work.

Step 3: Research Attachments

As soon as you have found the size and the type of your garden hose threads, you can move on to researching and looking for attachments to buy. Ask yourself questions like, why do I need my garden hose now? What plants require the most watering? What attachments am I missing?

Once you know the answers to the questions listed above, you can specifically look for the attachments and extras.  Search online and in-person stores for attachments that are compatible with the size and type of garden hose threads.

Step 4: Confirm the Attachments and Garden Hose Threads are a Fit

Nothing good will come out of forcing the attachment and the garden hose threads to mesh together and fit. Instead of slamming two pieces that do not fit, you will need to confirm the attachment and the garden hose have the same inner threads. Usually, the threads are on the outer layer, though, for the accessories.

You can determine if they are a fit by looking as closely as possible at the inner marks or garden hose threads. However, if you want to try to place the two items together, you can do so safely as long as it is slowly. Any restriction and push-back, though, show that the garden hose and the attachment are not a strong fit.

Step 5: Attach the Accessory to the Garden Hose

Once you reach step five of our guide to looking for the best garden hoses and their threads, you can relax and rejoice! Attach and connect the accessory to the garden hose. You will need to insert the attachment inside of the small garden hose pipe. Screw it in as slowly as possible, turning the knob or cap to your left.

 What is a NH thread?

Conclusion

What do you think about our unique buying guide to looking for the best garden hose threads according to your garden hose’s purpose and accessories? There is a lot of information in the internet about garden hoses, which can be confusing. It is good to always do your research using credible websites with data.

If you have questions about garden hose thread types like BSP, NH, or FIP threads, leave us a comment down below! Know any other uncommon garden hose thread sizes or types? Share them with our readers! If you know any other gardeners still looking for the answer to what are garden hose threads, share this blog with them!

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