Garden Hose: Flow Rates

A good quality garden hose is crucial to deliver the right amount of water to your yard. The flow rate of a garden hose plays an important role in determining how well water gets to your lawn, plants, and outdoor spaces. Garden hoses provide vital water to plants, shrubs, bushes, trees, and vegetables. Therefore, it is essential to understand the hose flow rate to apply an ideal amount of water to plants. The flow rate is also important to know before buying a hose for your watering requirements. Being aware of your hose flow rate and using an appropriate hose will benefit the watering of your plants. This will also prevent you from buying a garden hose that isn't suitable for your needs.

In this guide, we'll explore everything about garden hose flow rates so you can become an expert on them and maximize your gardening experience.

What is the Garden Hose Flow Rate?

The garden hose flow rate is the amount of water passing from the garden hose per minute. It is typically measured in gallons per minute (GPM) or liters. Knowing the hose's GPM allows you to calculate the number of gallons per hour delivered, which will help you provide sufficient water to your plants.

Several factors affect the hose flow rate, including hose diameter, hose length, water pressure level, and obstructions in the hose or nozzle. An average garden hose flow rate is around 9-17 GPM, but it can vary depending on the hose type. A good flow rate will be between 10-15 gallons per minute or above 15 for an effective flow rate.

A larger diameter hose allows more water to pass through, leading to a greater flow rate. Likewise, the higher water pressure also results in a higher flow rate. If the hose is kinked or the attached nozzle restricts the water flow, the flow rate will be reduced. Understanding the hose flow rate and choosing the right diameter hose is important for achieving the desired flow rate for your watering needs.

Read More: Garden Hoses: How to Select a Garden Hose for Home Task

Factors that Affect Garden Hose Flow Rate

Here are three significant aspects that determine the strength of your hose flow rate.

Hose Diameter

The diameter of the hose highly affects the flow rate of water passing through the hose. The standard hoses in the US are available in three diameters: ½, ¾, and ⅝ inches. These are the internal diameters of the garden hose. With a smaller diameter hose, the flow rate will be lower, and less water can pass through the hose and nozzle. A wider hose diameter allows for a higher flow rate. It has more space for water to pass through, which results in less friction and a high flow rate.

Use a wider diameter hose for tasks such as quickly watering a large garden or filling large containers. A narrower hose is used for precise watering or tasks that do not require much water volume.

Hose Length

The longer the garden hose, the lower the flow rate there'll be. When you move water over a greater distance, the flow rate is naturally reduced because water must travel through a large distance. When water travels through longer hoses, it experiences more friction, which results in less pressure and flow rate when the water reaches the end of the hose.

Garden hose length can range from 25 feet to 100 feet. A 25-foot-long hose could have a flow rate of 24 GPM based on hose diameter and pressure. If you use the same four hoses together or a 100-foot hose, the flow rate will be reduced by 75%. If you want to efficiently water your garden, choose a shorter hose. However, if you need a long hose for your task, opt for a larger diameter to maintain better water pressure and reduce the velocity of moving water.

Hose Water Pressure

Find the PSI of your water source before estimating the hose flow rate. PSI, or pounds per square inch, measures the speed at which water passes through your hose. The water pressure of your connection greatly impacts the hose flow rate. The average pressure of a home water faucet ranges from 40 to 60 PSI or can be as high as 80 PSI. Therefore, homeowners may have to install pressure regulators to control the PSI and avoid damage to the hose.

Read More: Hose Nozzle Types, Spray Patterns, and Uses

How to Measure Garden Hose Flow Rate

You can use one of the following methods to find out the flow rate of your garden hose.

Use an Online Garden Flow Rate Calculator

This is the best method to get an instant answer. Use an online flow rate calculator. Know your hose length, size, and water pressure, input these details in the respective fields in the calculator and the calculator will give you an accurate flow rate of your garden hose.

Use a Container and Stopwatch

Turn on your home water faucet and put the hose end in a container or bucket. Turn the stopwatch on for a minute until the container fills up. After a minute, turn off the water supply. Know how many gallons of water the container holds, and this is your hose flow rate in GPM.

Typical Flow Rates of Garden Hoses

Here are some calculations based on popular garden hose varieties and common hose diameters and lengths homeowners use. These calculations are derived based on 50 PSI pressure.

Hose Length (feet)	Hose Diameter (inches)	Hose Flow Rate (GPM)
100	½	7
100	⅝	12
100	¾	20
50	½	14
50	⅝	24
50	¾	40

Tips to Improve Garden Hose Flow Rate

Over time, you may find the water pressure of your garden hose is decreasing, which can occur for several reasons. Check these things to ensure everything is working properly and find the source of the issue.

Looks for Leaks

Leaks in the hose are a common reason for reduced water pressure and flow. If you notice a sudden decrease in pressure, check the hose for leaks. Leaks can occur due to cracks, twists, or damage caused by weather. You can use a hose connector or strong duct tape to repair a leaking hose. If the hose leak is irreparable, replace your hose with a new one.

Ensure Everything is Connected Properly

Ensure all your hose connectors, nozzles, and tap fittings are properly connected. Sometimes, a reduction in hose water pressure is due to insecure connections. Additionally, make sure all valves connected to faucets are open.

Check Hose for Kinks

Kinks in the garden hose can also decrease the flow rate because they interrupt the water flow. So, make sure your hose is not twisted or kinked at any point.

Check the Hose for Dirt and Clogs

Dirt or debris in garden hoses can also impact the water pressure by causing unwanted blocks in the hose. These blockages can restrict the water flow.

Choose the Best Garden Hose for Your Watering Needs

Efficient watering is one of the most important secrets to achieving a flourishing garden. For optimal watering, you need a suitable garden hose with an ideal flow rate. You can choose a suitable garden hose depending on your watering needs. Consider the size of your garden, the plants you grow, the climate in your area to determine the best hose flow rate for your needs. If your garden often has standing water, reduce your watering time to allow water to absorb into the ground. If your garden soil absorbs water quickly, using a hose with a high flow rate will be beneficial. Overwatering can cause other issues, so choose the garden hose that fits your garden needs.

Follow the above tips, get a high-quality garden hose with your desired flow rate, and you will have a vibrant, hydrated, and thriving garden. DripWorks offers robust, high-quality garden hoses at different diameters. With our Gilmour lightweight and medium-duty garden hoses, you will have the right tool for the best results and adequate watering.