What Size Is My Drip Tubing?
Tip: Check compression ring color
What Size Is My Drip Tubing?
The tubing used for drip irrigation mainline varies in size. Even drip hose referred to as "1/2" drip tubing" will differ depending on where it was purchased. The inner and outer diameters vary slightly between tubing numbers. This is especially important when 
adding on to an existing drip system. An easy way for you to tell what size mainline tubing you have is by looking at the inner compression ring of the fitting as they are color coded. Compression fittings fit over the outside diameter of the tubing.Compression fittings have color coded rings that correspond to tubing sizes.
Refer to the table below and match the tubing size with the appropriate fitting rings.
| Drip Hose US Dimensions (inches) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubing # | Size (commonly called) | Inner Diameter | Outer Diameter | Wall Thickness | Compression Fitting Ring Color |
| 185 | 1/8" | 0.125 |
0.185 | 0.030 | n/a |
| 220 | 7/32" | 0.160 | 0.220 | 0.030 | n/a |
| 250 | 1/4" | 0.170 | 0.250 | 0.040 | Orange |
| 307 | 5/16" | 0.250 | 0.307 | 0.028 | Grey |
| 350 | 11/32" | 0.250 |
0.350 | 0.050 | n/a |
| 455 | 3/8" | 0.375 | 0.455 | 0.040 | Red |
| 580 | 1/2" | 0.500 | 0.580 | 0.040 | Yellow |
| 620 | Raindrip 1/2" | 0.520 | 0.620 | 0.050 | Green |
| 700 | 1/2" or 5/8" |
0.600 | 0.700 |
0.050 | Black |
| 710 | 1/2" or 5/8" | 0.620 | 0.710 | 0.045 | Blue |
| 830 | 3/4" | 0.720 | 0.830 | 0.055 | Grey |
| 940 | 3/4" | 0.820 | 0.940 | 0.060 | Black |
| 940 | 3/4" | 0.830 | 0.940 | 0.055 | Black |
| 1200 | 1" | 1.060 |
1.200 | 0.070 | n/a |
The most popular drip tubing used in the United States is 1/2" (700) for mainline applications and 1/4" (250) for micro tubing applications. We recommend 700 tubing for most drip irrigation projects. We do offer an assortment of adapters and compression fittings for other sizes of drip tubing.
Upgrade Your Drip Hole Punch & Save Time
A clean cut makes it easier
Some drip irrigation hole punches are shaped like a pencil and simply poke a hole as they push through the drip irrigation tubing. They require more force and can slip off of the drip tubing before they make the hole. The Super Punch (shown here) has a squeeze handle and is only $9.90. A less expensive option is our Deluxe Hole Punch which has a sharp, circular cutting edge. It's comfortable, easy on your hands, and costs only $3.60.
A Paper Clip Quickly Cleans a Hole Punch
Insert the wire to clear the tool
A good hole punch will actually cut a tiny circle out of the drip irrigation tubing. The plug of drip irrigation tubing can be removed from the cutting edge of the punch with a paper clip. Push it through the cutting end to clear any plastic debris.
Fix Little Holes With a Goof Plug
Doubles as a 1/4" end plug
If you make a mistake and poke a hole in the wrong place on a drip line, insert a goof plug (small barb). If the hole gets worn and leaks a little, pull the plug out and use the large barbed end. Goof plugs are also used to plug the end of 1/4" micro tubing.
Adjust Water Flow to Garden Boxes With a Flow Control Valve
1/2" Valve fits over mainline tubing
These drip irrigation valves are great when you have garden boxes or drip areas that you may want to turn off seasonally. You can reduce the flow or shut it off completely. 1/2" Flow Control Valves are installed just like a compression coupler.
Fix Big Holes With a Coupler
If a goof plug won't do the trick
If you have a hole in a mainline poly pipe that is bigger than a goof plug, a compression coupling is the fitting to use. Make a clean cut and insert the two tubes into each end of the coupler. No glue required.
Threaded End Caps Make Winterizing Easy
Unscrew cap to flush or drain drip tubing
Install them now and thank yourself later. A threaded cap at the end of the drip line allows you to flush the drip line to clean it and drain the line of water before freezing winter temperatures set in. Learn more about winterizing your drip irrigation system.
Here's a list of all the parts discussed in this tutorial.
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$11.90
For main and lateral lines of a drip irrigation system. Use 1/2" compression fittings (700 series) or Direct-Loc fittings. 100 foot roll.
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$51.90 - $54.90
Volume discounts 1 - 4 $54.90 5 - 9 $53.90 10 + $51.90 For main and lateral lines of a drip irrigation system. Use 1/2" compression fittings (700 series) or Direct-Loc fittings. 500 foot roll. -
$5.90 - $6.50
Volume discounts 1 - 4 $6.50 5 + $5.90 1/4" micro tubing is most-often run from 1/2" poly drip tubing to individual plants with a drip emitter at the end. This drip irrigation tubing may also be used as the main supply line in small flower pot projects on decks and patios. 100 foot roll. -
$44.90 - $46.90
Volume discounts 1 - 4 $46.90 5 + $44.90 1/4" micro tubing is most-often run from 1/2" poly drip tubing to individual plants with a drip emitter at the end. This drip irrigation tubing may also be used as the main supply line in small flower pot projects on decks and patios. 1,000 foot roll. -
$6.00 - $6.50
Volume discounts 1 - 4 $6.50 5 + $6.00 1/4" micro tubing is most-often run from 1/2" poly drip tubing to individual plants with a drip emitter at the end. Vinyl drip irrigation tubing is more flexible & easy to work with than Polyethylene tubing. 100 foot roll. -
$49.50 - $52.00
Volume discounts 1 - 2 $52.00 3 + $49.50 1/4" micro tubing is most-often run from 1/2" poly drip tubing to individual plants with a drip emitter at the end. Vinyl drip irrigation tubing is more flexible & easy to work with than Polyethylene tubing. 1,000 foot roll.
For a complete listing of all our irrigation products, Irrigation Direct
Last modified: September 21, 2011
