Guide · Faucet head assembly
Drip filter mesh: 150 vs 200 and what your emitters ask for
What drip filter mesh numbers mean in millimeters and microns, the mesh DIG, Rain Bird and Netafim ask for, screen vs disc filters, and how often to clean.
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Short answer
Use the mesh your emitters' maker asks for. A higher mesh number means smaller openings: 150 mesh is about 0.100 to 0.105 mm, and 200 mesh about 0.074 mm. Most drip systems need 120 to 200 mesh, says Utah State University Extension. Clean the screen with running water, monthly in the growing season.
What the mesh number means
A mesh rating counts openings. Clemson's Home and Garden Information Center defines 150 mesh as 150 openings counted in a straight line over one inch of screen.[1] More openings in the same inch means each one is smaller.
| Mesh | Opening, USU table | Opening, UF/IFAS table |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | 0.125 mm | Not used here |
| 150 | 0.100 mm | 0.105 mm (105 microns) |
| 200 | 0.074 mm | 0.074 mm (74 microns) |
A Utah State University Extension table lists 150 mesh at 0.100 mm and 200 mesh at 0.074 mm.[2] UF/IFAS lists 150 mesh as a 105 micron opening and 200 mesh as 74 microns.[3] The two tables differ slightly at 150 mesh; both put 200 mesh well below 150.
What drip systems need
- Utah State University Extension says most drip systems need 120 to 200 mesh filtration.[4]
- Clemson says drip systems need at least a 150 mesh filter, with some emitters needing 200 mesh.[1]
- Colorado State University Extension says 150 to 200 mesh suits relatively clean municipal water, while well or pond water needs more elaborate filtration.[5]
What the makers ask for
| Part | Mesh the maker asks for |
|---|---|
| DIG PC dripper on stake | At least 150 |
| DIG inline emitters | At least 150 |
| Rain Bird XFD dripline | 120 |
| Netafim Techline CV | At least 120 |
| Rain Bird PC on-line emitters | 200 |
DIG requires at least 150 mesh for its PC dripper on stake.[6] It asks the same for its inline emitters.[7] Rain Bird lists 120 mesh for XFD.[8] Netafim lists a minimum of 120 mesh for Techline CV.[9]
Rain Bird describes its PC on-line emitters as self-flushing, yet still calls for 200 mesh.[10] Self-flushing does not mean you can skip the filter.
If your system mixes parts, filter to the finest mesh any of them asks for.
Is 200 mesh better than 150?
It is finer, so it stops smaller particles. Better is whatever your emitter maker asks for. A finer screen catches more, so it may need cleaning more often; no source we read puts a number on that.
UF/IFAS gives the reasoning behind the ratings: it recommends filtering out particles down to one-fourth the size of the emitter's passageway, and says emitter makers should state the largest particle each emitter can tolerate.[3]
Filters makers sell
- Rain Bird's RBY pressure-regulating filter uses a 200 mesh stainless steel screen.[11]
- Rain Bird's PRF07530SX has a pre-installed 200 mesh (75 micron) stainless steel screen and 3/4 in male pipe thread.[12]
- DIG's D57A screen filter is 3/4 in FHT by 3/4 in MHT with a 155 mesh screen.[13]
Screen or disc filter
UF/IFAS describes disc filters as stacks of grooved discs that trap particles in their grooves, and as an alternative to screen filters in drip systems.[3] It also says screen filters should not be the only filter where organic contamination is present.[3]
Do I need a filter on city water?
Yes. CSU's guidance of 150 to 200 mesh is written for relatively clean municipal water.[5] Clemson's minimum of 150 mesh for drip systems makes no exception for city water either.[1]
How often to clean it
Utah State University Extension recommends inspecting and cleaning filters monthly during the growing season, and more often with sediment-heavy water.[4] DIG says to remove the filter and clean it under running water.[14] Use water only; no source here supports chemical cleaners.
Filters that fit this decision
Picks that fit3 products
For emitters that ask for 200 mesh, choose the Rain Bird PRF07530S (3/4 in MPT both ends; Rain Bird's store lists it as PRF07530SX), which needs pipe-thread adapters at a faucet.
More on choosing
For a hose-thread faucet, choose the Orbit 67738 3-in-1 (3/4 in FHT inlet) or the Rain Bird FCKIT-1PK faucet connection kit, and check that their mesh matches what your emitters ask for.
Pipe-thread filter-regulator
Rain Bird PRF07530S 3/4 in MPT pressure-regulating filter (30 psi, 200 mesh)
3-in-1 faucet adapter for Drip-Lock
Orbit 67738 3‑in‑1 faucet adapter (3/4 in FHT, 150 mesh filter, 20 psi regulator, 1/2 in Drip-Lock)
On Amazon, check that "Ships from" and "Sold by" show Amazon.com or the brand before you order.[15]
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Questions
What mesh filter do I need for drip irrigation?
The mesh your emitters' maker asks for. Utah State University Extension says most drip systems need 120 to 200 mesh, and Clemson says at least 150.[4][1]
Is 200 mesh better than 150?
It is finer: about 0.074 mm openings against about 0.100 mm. Match what the emitter maker asks for; Rain Bird asks for 200 mesh on its PC on-line emitters and 120 on XFD.[2][10][8]
How often should I clean my drip filter?
Utah State University Extension recommends inspecting and cleaning filters monthly in the growing season, more often with sediment-heavy water. DIG says to clean it under running water.[4][14]
Do I need a filter on city water?
Yes. Colorado State University Extension's 150 to 200 mesh guidance is for relatively clean municipal water; well or pond water needs more.[5]
Do self-flushing emitters need a filter?
Rain Bird calls its PC on-line emitters self-flushing and still asks for 200 mesh filtration.[10]