Shortlist · Drip line
Drip line with published flow, spacing and run tables
Drip lines whose makers publish flow, spacing, pressure range and a maximum run table: Rain Bird XFD and DIG Earthline PC for rows, DIG Microline for beds.
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Short answer
Three approved drip lines come with a published flow, spacing, pressure range and run table. For long rows on a 1/2 in system, choose Rain Bird XFD-09-12-100 (0.634 in OD) or DIG Earthline Brown PC B18250 (.700 in OD) to match the fittings you use. For short runs in a raised bed, choose DIG Microline SHB106. Cut each into runs no longer than its maker's table allows at your pressure.
How we chose
A drip line is on this list only if its maker publishes:
- Emitter flow at a stated pressure, and the spacing. Rain Bird offers XFD with 0.6 or 0.9 GPH emitters at 12 or 18 in spacing.[1] DIG's Microline gives a nominal 0.52 GPH at 15 psi, with emitters every 6, 9 or 12 in.[2]
- A pressure range and the filtration it needs. XFD operates from 8.5 to 60 psi with 120 mesh.[1] DIG's homeowner page lists Microline at 10 to 25 psi.[3]
- A maximum run table. Rain Bird's XFD table allows longer laterals at higher pressure, for example 273 ft at 15 psi versus 460 ft at 60 psi for 0.6 GPH at 12 in spacing.[4] 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.[2]
- It is in our approved catalog with a store listing.
Netafim publishes the same kind of data for Techline CV, including 0.26 to 0.9 GPH emitters and a 14.5 to 58 psi range,[5] but no Techline CV listing is approved yet. Rain Bird's 1/4 in Landscape Dripline states 0.8 GPH at 30 psi and 10 to 40 psi but gives no maximum run.[6] Three lines met the full bar on 2026-10-15.
1/2 in class line for long rows
Rain Bird XFD‑09‑12‑100 on-surface dripline (0.9 GPH, 12 in spacing, 100 ft)
Pick it if: Rows and beds on a 1/2 in system where runs are long
- Why it's here
- Rain Bird offers XFD with 0.9 GPH emitters at 12 in spacing, operating from 8.5 to 60 psi with 120 mesh filtration, and publishes maximum lateral lengths by pressure: for 0.9 GPH at 12 in, 155 ft at 15 psi and 290 ft at 60 psi.
- Watch out
- XFD is 0.536 x 0.634 in, not the size of blank 1/2 in tubing; use the XF insert or Easy-Fit compression fittings Rain Bird names. Rain Bird's XFD page mentions no check valve. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- 0.536 in ID x 0.634 in OD
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- 1/2 in (16-17 mm insert family)
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Rain Bird XF Dripline insert fittings (17 mm barb, 0-50 psi) or Easy-Fit compression fittings
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
.700 OD line for long rows
DIG B18250 Earthline Brown PC 1/2 in dripline (1 GPH, 18 in spacing, 250 ft)
Pick it if: Long rows and shrub borders on a .700 in OD system
- Why it's here
- DIG lists Earthline Brown PC dripline at .600 x .700 in with 1 GPH pressure-compensating emitters every 18 in, 10 to 45 psi with at least 150 mesh, and a maximum single lateral on level ground of 273 ft at 25 psi or 369 ft at 45 psi.
- Watch out
- Its .700 in OD takes .700 OD compression, DIG Nut Lock or DIG 17 mm barbed fittings, not the XFD fittings. A 250 ft coil. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or DIG.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- .600 in ID x .700 in OD
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- 1/2 in (.700 in OD)
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- .700 OD compression fittings, DIG Nut Lock fittings or DIG 17 mm brown barbed fittings
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
.700 line with 12 in spacing
Orbit 67376 1/2 in (.700) pressure-compensating drip emitter tubing (1 GPH, 12 in spacing, 100 ft)
Pick it if: Rows on a .700 in OD system where plants sit about a foot apart
- Why it's here
- Orbit lists the 67376 as 100 ft of brown 1/2 in (.700) low-density polyethylene tubing with pressure-compensating 1 GPH emitters every 12 in, for 1/2 in drip fittings including its Drip-Lock.
- Watch out
- Orbit states no pressure range, maximum pressure or maximum run, and its 'other major brands' fitting wording is a maker claim: use .700 OD fittings and a regulator and filter upstream, as Orbit advises. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Orbit.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- 1/2 in, listed as .700; Orbit gives no separate inside diameter
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- 1/2 in (.700 OD)
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- 1/2 in drip fittings, including Orbit Drip-Lock
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
.700 line with 12 in spacing and a stated range
DripWorks DET121 1/2 in (0.600 x 0.700) pressure-compensating emitter tubing (1 GPH, 12 in spacing, 500 ft)
Pick it if: Long rows or several beds on a .700 in OD system where plants sit about a foot apart
- Why it's here
- DripWorks lists DET121 at 0.600 x 0.700 in with pressure-compensating 1 GPH emitters every 12 in, for 10 to 50 psi, with a maximum single run of 250 ft.
- Watch out
- A 500 ft roll. DripWorks requires a regulator and a filter at the head but states no mesh rating, and gives one 250 ft run limit rather than a table by pressure. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or DripWorks.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- 0.600 in ID x 0.700 in OD
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- 1/2 in (.700 OD)
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- 1/2 in Easy Loc, 1/2 in barbed or 1/2 in compression fittings
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in line for short runs in beds
DIG Microline SHB106 1/4 in dripline (6 in spacing, 100 ft, brown)
Pick it if: Raised beds and closely spaced plants fed from a 1/2 in line
- Why it's here
- DIG lists Microline at .170 x .250 in with emitters every 6, 9 or 12 in, a nominal 0.52 GPH at 15 psi, a 10 to 25 psi range and a maximum single run at 25 psi of about 16 ft at 6 in spacing.
- Watch out
- Short runs only: about 16 ft per single lateral at 6 in spacing on level ground at 25 psi, far shorter than the coil. Needs at least 150 mesh and a regulator that keeps it within 10 to 25 psi. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or DIG.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- 0.170 in ID x 0.250 in OD
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- 1/4 in
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Not stated
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in line with wider spacing
DIG Microline ML‑112 1/4 in dripline (12 in spacing, 100 ft, black)
Pick it if: Rows of vegetables or perennials about 12 in apart in beds
- Why it's here
- The same DIG Microline with emitters every 12 in. DIG's table allows the longest single run of the family at 25 psi on level ground: about 28 ft, against 16 ft at 6 in spacing.
- Watch out
- Fewer emitters per foot than SHB106, so it suits plants spaced about a foot apart rather than dense planting. Needs at least 150 mesh and 10 to 25 psi. On Amazon, check the coil count and that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or DIG.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- 0.170 in ID x 0.250 in OD
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- 1/4 in
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Not stated
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in line in a 500 ft coil
DIG Microline SH512 1/4 in dripline (12 in spacing, 500 ft, black)
Pick it if: Many beds or a whole garden of short 1/4 in runs
- Why it's here
- DIG lists SH512 as 500 ft of black Microline at 12 in spacing, .170 x .250 in, for 10 to 25 psi with 20 to 25 psi recommended through its D46 25 psi regulator.
- Watch out
- 500 ft is the coil, not a run: DIG's table still limits each single run to about 28 ft at 25 psi on level ground. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or DIG.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- 0.170 in ID x 0.250 in OD
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- 1/4 in
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Not stated
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
Fit at a glance
| Line | ID x OD | Flow | Spacing | Pressure | Mesh | Longest single run (example) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Bird XFD-09-12-100 | 0.536 x 0.634 in | 0.9 GPH | 12 in | 8.5-60 psi | 120 | 155 ft at 15 psi, 290 ft at 60 psi |
| DIG Earthline Brown PC B18250 | .600 x .700 in | 1 GPH | 18 in | 10-45 psi | 150 | 273 ft at 25 psi, 369 ft at 45 psi |
| DIG Microline SHB106 | .170 x .250 in | 0.52 GPH at 15 psi | 6 in | 10-25 psi | 150 | About 16 ft at 25 psi |
DIG's Earthline figures come from its PC dripline page, which names .700 OD compression, DIG Nut Lock or DIG 17 mm brown barbed fittings for it.[7]
XFD's size and fittings: Rain Bird lists XFD at 0.536 in ID x 0.634 in OD,[1] and specifies XF dripline insert fittings or Easy-Fit compression fittings for it.[1] Rain Bird's XFD page mentions no check valve; Rain Bird puts that in XFCV.[8] DIG's professional Microline page asks for at least 150 mesh.[2]
Before you buy
Work out the length of each run first, then check it against the maker's table at your regulator's pressure. The spacing and maximum run guide shows how to read the tables, and the drip line hub covers the other decisions.
Questions
Why is a 100 ft coil of Microline not one 100 ft run?
Because DIG limits a single Microline run at 25 psi on level ground to about 16 ft at 6 in spacing, 22 ft at 9 in and 28 ft at 12 in. Cut the coil into several runs.[2]
Does XFD hold water in the line after shut-off?
Rain Bird's XFD page does not mention a check valve; Rain Bird offers that feature in a separate model, XFCV.[8]
Why is Netafim Techline CV not on the list?
Netafim publishes its flow, spacing and range, but no Techline CV listing is in our approved catalog yet. We do not add products we have not approved.[5]