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Drip line: flow, spacing, pressure and run length

Choose drip line irrigation by emitter flow and spacing, pressure range, the maker's maximum run at your pressure and the fittings it names.

By Watchmarks EditorialPublished Research-based

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Picks that fit

All picks and how to choose

Short answer

Use drip line for rows and beds where plants sit close together, and loose emitters for scattered plants. Choose the line by its emitter flow and spacing, its pressure range and the maximum run the maker publishes at your pressure. Then use only the fittings that maker names: for Rain Bird XFD, that is XF insert fittings or Easy-Fit compression fittings.

Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose

What drip line is

Drip line is tubing with emitters built in at a fixed spacing. You lay it along a row or snake it through a bed, and every emitter waters the soil next to it. It comes in two size classes: 1/2 in class lines that run as their own mainline, and 1/4 in lines that branch off a 1/2 in supply.

Rain Bird XFD is a 1/2 in class line at 0.536 in ID x 0.634 in OD.[1] Netafim's Techline CV is 0.56 in ID x 0.66 in OD.[2] DIG's Microline is a 1/4 in line at .170 in ID x .250 in OD, with emitters every 6, 9 or 12 in.[3] These ODs differ from blank 1/2 in tubing, so the fittings differ too.

The decisions, in order

  1. Rows and beds, or scattered plants. Drip line suits plants spaced along a line. For shrubs, pots and trees far apart, loose emitters on 1/4 in tubing usually fit better. The drip line vs emitters vs micro-sprays guide compares them.
  2. 1/4 in or 1/2 in class. A 1/4 in line like Microline runs short distances off a mainline. A 1/2 in class line like XFD or Techline CV can run much longer.
  3. Emitter flow and spacing. Rain Bird offers XFD with 0.6 or 0.9 GPH emitters at 12 or 18 in spacing.[1] Netafim lists Techline CV at 0.26, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9 GPH.[2] DIG's professional Microline gives a nominal 0.52 GPH at 15 psi.[4] Rain Bird's 1/4 in Landscape Dripline is 0.8 GPH at 30 psi in 6 or 12 in spacing, rated 10 to 40 psi.[5]
  4. Pressure range and filter. XFD operates from 8.5 to 60 psi with 120 mesh filtration.[1] Techline CV lists a 14.5 to 58 psi compensation range and at least 120 mesh.[2]
  5. Maximum run at your pressure. Coil length is not run length. Rain Bird's XFD table allows 273 ft at 15 psi but 460 ft at 60 psi for 0.6 GPH at 12 in spacing.[6] DIG lists Microline's longest single run at 25 psi on level ground as 16 ft at 6 in spacing, 22 ft at 9 in and 28 ft at 12 in.[4] See the spacing and maximum run guide.
  6. Fittings the maker names. Rain Bird specifies XF dripline insert fittings or Easy-Fit compression fittings for XFD.[1]

Does it drain after shut-off?

That depends on the model. Netafim says Techline CV has a check valve that keeps water from draining out of the dripline after zone shut-down.[2] Rain Bird's XFD page does not mention a check valve; Rain Bird puts that feature in a separate model, XFCV.[7] So do not treat XFD as check-valve dripline.

Soaker hose is not drip line

Raindrip's 015005T 1/4 in soaker hose is porous rubber that seeps along its whole length, is not pressure-compensating and is meant for short runs on flat ground.[8] It has no emitters or spacing to choose. The soaker hose vs drip line guide covers the difference.

How to choose

For long rows on a 1/2 in system, pick a 1/2 in class line with a published run table and the fittings its maker names. Rain Bird XFD-09-12-100 is 0.9 GPH at 12 in spacing, 8.5 to 60 psi, with 120 mesh filtration.[1] For short runs in a raised bed, DIG Microline SHB106 is the 6 in spacing version of Microline, which DIG limits to about 16 ft per single run at 25 psi.[4]

Picks that fit7 products

Rain Bird XFD-09-12-100: the 0.9 GPH, 12 in spacing, 100 ft coil; join it with XF insert or Easy-Fit compression fittings.

More on choosing

DIG B18250: the 1 GPH, 18 in spacing, 250 ft coil of .700 in OD PC dripline; join it with .700 OD compression, DIG Nut Lock or DIG 17 mm barbed fittings. Orbit 67376: 100 ft of brown .700 in tubing with 1 GPH PC emitters every 12 in; Orbit states no pressure range, so join it with .700 OD fittings such as Drip-Lock. DripWorks DET121: a 500 ft roll of 0.600 x 0.700 in tubing with 1 GPH PC emitters every 12 in, for 10 to 50 psi and runs up to 250 ft per DripWorks; join it with 1/2 in Easy Loc, barbed or compression fittings. DIG Microline SHB106: the brown 6 in spacing, 100 ft coil, cut into runs of about 16 ft or less at 25 psi. DIG Microline ML-112 (100 ft) or SH512 (500 ft): the black 12 in spacing coils, cut into runs of about 28 ft or less at 25 psi. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.

If you want porous tubing for a short, flat run instead, Raindrip's 015005T is a 50 ft coil.[8]

Picks that fit1 product

Choose 015005T, the 50 ft coil of 1/4 in soaker tubing, for short runs on flat ground. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Raindrip.

Every page on drip line

Guides

Tool

Drip line systems

Key terms

Emitter spacing, lateral, maximum lateral length, pressure-compensating, compensation range, inline emitter, soaker hose and GPH.

Everything in this topic

Guides

Shortlists

Common questions

How long can a drip line run?

As long as its maker's table allows for your spacing, flow and inlet pressure. Rain Bird's XFD table gives 273 ft at 15 psi and 460 ft at 60 psi for 0.6 GPH at 12 inch spacing. More in Drip line spacing and maximum run length: read the maker's table

How long can 1/4 inch drip line be?

For DIG Microline, about 16 ft at 6 inch spacing, 22 ft at 9 inch and 28 ft at 12 inch, at 25 psi on level ground. Other 1/4 in lines need their own maker's figure. More in Drip line spacing and maximum run length: read the maker's table

Does emitter spacing change run length?

Yes. Closer spacing puts more emitters on each foot, so DIG's Microline limit drops from 28 ft at 12 inch spacing to 16 ft at 6 inch. More in Drip line spacing and maximum run length: read the maker's table

Can I use a whole 100 ft roll of 1/4 in drip line as one run?

Not per DIG's table for Microline, which tops out at about 28 ft per run at 25 psi. Cut the coil into several runs fed from a 1/2 in supply line. More in Drip line spacing and maximum run length: read the maker's table

Is drip line or emitters better for a raised bed?

Drip line suits a densely planted bed because the emitters are already spaced along it; DIG's ML50 raised-bed kit, for example, has emitters every 9 inches. Loose emitters suit plants spaced far apart. More in Drip line, loose emitters or micro-sprays for a bed or row

Can I mix drip line and micro-sprays?

In one garden, yes, but not on one line. Colorado State University Extension advises a separate zone for micro-sprays, and Raindrip says never to mix drippers and sprinklers on the same line. More in Drip line, loose emitters or micro-sprays for a bed or row

What spacing drip line for a vegetable garden?

Makers offer 6 to 24 inch spacing, and no source sets a spacing by plant. CSU gives soil-based guidance of about 12 inches in sand, 18 in loam and 24 in clay. More in Drip line, loose emitters or micro-sprays for a bed or row

When should I water a vegetable garden on drip?

Colorado State University Extension advises irrigating when the top two to four inches of soil feel dry. More in Drip line, loose emitters or micro-sprays for a bed or row

Questions

What is drip line?

Tubing with emitters built in at a fixed spacing, laid along a row or through a bed. Rain Bird XFD, for example, comes with 0.6 or 0.9 GPH emitters at 12 or 18 in spacing.[1]

How long can a drip line run?

As long as its maker's table allows at your pressure, which is much shorter than the coil. Rain Bird allows 273 ft of 0.6 GPH, 12 in XFD at 15 psi and 460 ft at 60 psi; DIG limits a single 6 in Microline run to about 16 ft at 25 psi.[6][4]

What fittings go with Rain Bird XFD?

Rain Bird specifies its XF dripline insert fittings or its Easy-Fit compression fittings for XFD.[1]

Does drip line drain after the water shuts off?

Some does, some does not. Netafim says Techline CV has a check valve that keeps water in the line after shut-down. Rain Bird's XFD page mentions no check valve; Rain Bird offers that in a separate model, XFCV.[2][7]

Sources and changes

  1. XFD On-Surface Dripline | Rain Bird · Manufacturer · Rain Bird XFD dripline dimensions, flows, spacing, pressure, fittings · checked 15 Oct 2026
  2. Techline CV (Netafim USA) · Manufacturer · Techline CV dripline specifications · checked 15 Oct 2026
  3. 1/4 in. Microline Dripline (DIG Corporation) · Manufacturer · DIG Microline 1/4-inch dripline: size, spacing, flow, pressure, maximum lateral table · checked 15 Oct 2026
  4. Microline Dripline (DIG Corp) · Manufacturer · DIG 1/4 in Microline specs and run table · checked 15 Oct 2026
  5. 1/4" Landscape Dripline | Rain Bird · Manufacturer · LDQ 1/4-inch dripline spacing, flow, pressure, coil length · checked 15 Oct 2026
  6. XFD On-Surface Dripline Irregular Shaped Layout (Rain Bird) · Manufacturer · XFD maximum lateral lengths by spacing, flow and inlet pressure · checked 15 Oct 2026
  7. XFCV Dripline with Heavy Duty Check Valve | Rain Bird · Manufacturer · XFCV check valve hold-back, pressure range, PC · checked 15 Oct 2026
  8. 1/4 in. Soaker Hose, Black Rubber, 50 ft. (Raindrip) · Manufacturer · Raindrip 015005T porous soaker · checked 15 Oct 2026
  9. 1/2" PC Dripline, brown (DIG Corporation) · Manufacturer · DIG Earthline Brown PC dripline B18100, B18250, B12100: size, flow, spacing, pressure, filtration, maximum lateral length, fittings · checked 15 Oct 2026
  • : First published.

Next editorial review due 14 Jan 2027.