The global fuel hoses market was worth around USD 4.2 billion in 2023. According to expert estimates, it will grow at a 6.5% CAGR by 2030. This is mainly because fuel hoses are used in several sectors, including automotive and marine etc.
One hose size cannot fit every equipment or vehicle, so you need varieties in fuel hose specifications. If you want to understand fuel hose dimension range, then this well-researched guide will help you today.
Standard Fuel Hose Size Chart
You can find fuel hoses in cars, trucks, boats, agricultural and many industrial machines. The fuel tube sizes can directly affect fuel flow and performance of these all equipment.
Therefore, you should match the hose dimensions with your vehicle and its fuel system and operating conditions. This table will show you common fuel hose sizes and their suitable uses.
| ID (inches) | ID (mm) | OD(mm) | Wall Thickness | Working Pressure | Burst Pressure | Uses |
| 3/16″ | 5 mm | 11 mm | 3 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Small engines & small fuel lines |
| 1/4″ | 6.3 mm | 13 mm | 3.4 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Motorcycles and generators |
| 5/16″ | 8 mm | 15 mm | 3.5 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Passenger cars, light duty vehicles |
| 3/8″ | 9.5 mm | 17 mm | 3.8 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Cars & trucks |
| 7/16″ | 11 mm | 18.4 mm | 3.7 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Small industrial fuel systems |
| 1/2″ | 12.7 mm | 21 mm | 4.2 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Trucks & generators |
| 9/16″ | 14.3 mm | 22 mm | 3.85 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Larger automotive or industrial fuel systems |
| 5/8″ | 16 mm | 26 mm | 5 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Trucks/machinery and high-flow fuel systems |
| 3/4″ | 19 mm | 29 mm | 5 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Heavy or large fuel systems |
| 7/8″ | 22 mm | 31 mm | 4.5 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Industrial machinery |
| 1″ | 25.4 mm | 36 mm | 5.3 mm | 300 psi | 900 psi | Large engines, industrial equipment & bulk fuel systems |
How To Read a Fuel Hose Size Chart?
If you are new to fuel hose sizes, then terms in the above chart can make you confused. Each factor tells you something different about the hose such as its size and strength. You must be aware of these measurements, so you can compare hoses more easily and choose the right one for your application.
Inside Diameter: It is the size of the opening inside the tube which tells you about space available for fuel to flow.
Outside Diameter: OD is the total distance across the outside of the hose. Basically, it is the complete hose construction including the inner tube, reinforcement layers and outer cover.
Wall Thickness: Wall thickness is the distance between the hose’s inner and outer walls. It decides the hose’s strength and durability. Suppose you choose a hose with a thicker wall, then it will provide greater strength against pressure. However, it will bend less easily than a thinner-wall hose.
Working Pressure: Working pressure tells you the maximum pressure for normal operation. For example: a fuel hose has a 100 psi working pressure. The system should operate at or below this range.
Burst Pressure: This is the maximum pressure limit a fuel tube can handle before it completely breaks down. It is always higher than the normal working pressure. In case a tube has a 100 psi working pressure and a 300 psi burst pressure. It means, you should use the hose at 100 psi or below during normal tasks, otherwise it can fail.
AN Fuel Hose Size Chart
AN is abbreviated as Army-Navy. Originally, US Army and Navy used this sizing system for fluid hoses, tubes & fittings. Later, AN size standards became popular for other industries such as aerospace and racing cars. In general, AN sizing uses a dash number to give you a nominal size for the identification of a hose. It does not guarantee the actual inside diameter ID or OD of a flexible fuel hose.
Different manufacturers can use unique liner thicknesses & reinforcement layers. Hence, two hoses with the same AN size can have different actual ID and OD. If you are a wholesaler or B2B buyer, you can take help from this table when you purchase fuel hoses in bulk.
| AN Size | Nominal Size (Inches) | Applications |
| -4 AN | 1/4 in | Small fuel lines, brake systems, gauges & fluid lines |
| -5 AN | 5/16 in | Small fuel and fluid lines |
| -6 AN | 3/8 in | Automotive fuel systems, oil/coolant lines |
| -8 AN | 1/2 in | High-flow fuel systems and performance vehicles |
| -10 AN | 5/8 in | Larger fuel systems & oil coolers |
| -12 AN | 3/4 in | High-flow fuel systems & industrial fluid lines |
| -16 AN | 1 in | Large fuel systems & industrial applications |
| -20 AN | 1-1/4 in | Large capacity fuel and fluid systems |
Note: The number after the dash shows you dimensions of pipe in 1/16-inch steps. For example, -2AN means 2 × 1/16 inch. It is equal to 1/8 inch. You will always see a dash before the number like -6AN or -8AN.
Fuel Hose Size Chart Based on Horsepower
Horsepower is a unit that is used to measure an engine’s output. A higher horsepower rating means your vehicle engine needs greater fuel flow to produce more power. So if fuel demand increases, you have to use a larger hose to maintain enough fuel flow.
We prepared this fuel hose size chart based on horsepower, so you can choose the right fuel hose inside diameter (ID) for your automobile engine.
| Power Range | Comparable AN Size | Recommended Fuel Hose ID | Best For |
| 650 to 1000 hp | AN-10 | 5/8 inch (16 mm) | High-flow fuel pumps & racing engines |
| 450 to 650 hp | AN-8 | 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) | Turbocharged engines & high-flow EFI |
| 350-450 hp | AN-6 | 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) | Standard forced-induction setups plus EFI systems |
| Up to 350 hp | AN-5 | 5/16 inch (8 mm) | Basic EFI and Carbureted systems |
Fuel Hose SAE J30 Standards
In North America, SAE International introduced SAE J30 as a standard for automotive fuel, oil and emission control hoses. It basically defines requirements for hose materials, performance, pressure & fuel compatibility.
The “R” rating is a code that displays the type of hose and where you can use it. If we talk about permeation rate, it is the amount of fuel vapor that can pass through a hose wall over a specific period of time.
For wholesale buyers, SAE J30 gives you a clear reference when you compare fuel hoses from different suppliers. You can consider SAE fuel hose standards to see if a fuel hose is suitable for your specific use.
| SAE Fuel Hose Type | Common Inner Liner | Pressure Rating (psi) | Suitable Fuels | Permeation Performance | Recommended For |
| SAE 30R10 | Viton rubber (FKM) | 100 psi | Harsh/corrosive fuels, high-ethanol and Methanol fuel | Very low fuel vapor loss | Fuel tanks and fuel pump modules |
| SAE 30R9 | Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) | 100 psi | Petrol or gasoline, diesel & 10-25% ethanol fuel | Minimal (meets EPA requirements) | Fuel injection systems |
| SAE 30R7 | NBR | 50 psi | Ethanol-blended fuel, gasoline, diesel | Normal | Carburetors, fuel return lines, emission systems |
| SAE 30R6 | NBR | 50 psi | Diesel and gasoline | Normal | Carburetors, filler necks & tank connections |
Reminder: The material, pressure and fuel compatibility in above table are representative values. They can vary by hose construction, size, manufacturer and specific product specification. We suggest that you always check the manufacturer’s datasheet before you select a fuel hose for your application.
Fuel Hoses Material Specifications
Manufacturers use different rubber and plastic materials to make fuel hoses for unique applications. The substance of a fuel tube actually decides how well it handles fuel, heat and chemicals. Temperature range tells you the lowest and highest temperature a fuel hose can safely handle.
Further, ethanol performance is the resistance of the tube to fuels that contain ethanol such as E10 or E85. Chemical resistance is the ability of hose material to resist fuel or other chemicals without getting cracked, swollen or weak.
| Hose Material | Temperature Range | Suitable Fuel | Ethanol Performance | Chemical Resistance |
| NBR (Nitrile Rubber) | -40°F to 212°F | Gasoline, diesel, E10 | Fair (up to E25) | Good resistance to gasoline, diesel & petroleum-based fluids |
| ECO (Epichlorohydrin Rubber) | -40°F to 212°F | Gasoline and low-ethanol fuels | Fair | Exceptional resistance to gasoline, biofuels & aliphatic hydrocarbons |
| FKM (Viton Rubber) | -15°F to 400°F | Gasoline, E85, methanol and other fuels | Excellent | Can handle petroleum, biodiesel & additive-heavy racing fuels |
| PTFE (Teflon) | -65°F to 450°F | Most fuels and solvents | Excellent | Virtually universal chemical resistance |
Note: Some materials have higher strength, so engineers can design the hose with a thinner wall. But other materials like NBR-made hoses need a thicker wall to handle the same pressure. This way, material can directly change the hose’s inside diameter (ID), outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness.
Fuel Hose Manufacturers and Supplier
Our company RONTEIX is located in China. With more than 18 years of experience, we are a professional manufacturer of industrial and automobile hoses. We have served 2000+ customers worldwide.
If you are a hose distributor or industrial buyer who is looking for fuel hoses in bulk or custom sizes, then RONTEIX is your top choice. Contact our team and share your requirements. Following are some other brands that also supply fuel hoses.
- Gates Corporation
- Parker Hannifin Corporation
- Eaton Corporation plc
- JGB Enterprises
FAQs
How To Measure Fuel Hose Size?
To find the accurate size of the fuel tube, you need to check the inside diameter. Because the hose must fit properly over the pipe. We recommend you to use a caliper or ruler and measure straight across the inside opening.
Do All Fuel Hose Brands Use Same Sizing Standard?
No, companies that manufacture fuel hoses do not always use exactly the same sizing. Most of them follow common fractional-inch or AN sizes. But the outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness vary based on the hose material and construction.
Does a Larger Fuel Hose Always Give Better Performance?
It is not true that if you use a larger fuel hose than your vehicle system requires will always improve performance. Well, oversized hoses provide no extra benefit but it can increase cost and installation problems. So our suggestion is to choose the hose size based on fuel flow requirements & system design.
Conclusion
If you are a B2B or bulk product buyer, you must have a clear strategy when you talk to manufacturers. Our recommendation is to verify the production standards (SAE, ISO & ASTM) company follows to make hoses.
Moreover, you should confirm customized options and shipping policy. The safest approach is to request samples before large-quantity production. This way, you can check hose size and quality. Never forget to ask them clearly if they can deliver your order directly to your desired destination.
