Shortlist · Microtubing and connectors
1/4 in drip tubing and connectors with stated sizes
1/4 inch drip tubing and barbed connectors whose maker states size and pressure: Rain Bird XQ and T22, DIG B38PB, Raindrip 307050B and Rain Bird fittings.
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Short answer
Buy 1/4 in tubing and its connectors as a set whose sizes you know. Rain Bird's XQ tubing is stated at 0.17 x 0.25 in, 0 to 60 psi, DIG's B38P family at .170 x .250 in up to 60 psi, and Rain Bird's T22 at 0.165 x 0.245 in. Raindrip's 307050B tee is made for 0.170 in ID tubing and rated to 50 psi, and Rain Bird's 1/4 in barbed coupling and tee belong to a line it rates 0 to 50 psi. Run the branch at or below the lower of the two ratings.
How we chose
An item is on this list only if:
- The maker states the tubing size or the fitting's pressure rating. "1/4 in" is a family of sizes. DIG's vinyl table lists .156 x .245, .160 x .220 and .170 x .250 in,[1] and DIG's 2016 catalog lists 1/4 in polyethylene at .170 x .250 in.[2]
- Its limits are clear. Rain Bird's 1/4 in fittings page says they "accept all sizes" of 1/4 in tubing without giving dimensions.[3] We list them because Rain Bird states their rating, and we flag the missing dimensions on each pick.
- It is in our approved catalog with a store listing.
Six items met the bar on 2026-10-15. Size-stated goof plugs such as DIG's G79B, with a .200 in OD small end and a .400 in OD large end,[4] and Raindrip's 646050B for 1/2 in, 5/8 in and 0.710 in supply tubing,[5] are not approved yet.
1/4 in polyethylene tubing, ID and OD stated
DIG B38PB 1/4 in polyethylene micro tubing (.170 x .250 in, 50 ft, brown)
Pick it if: Branch lines with barbs made for .170 in ID tubing
- Why it's here
- DIG lists its 1/4 in poly micro tubing (the B38P family) at .170 in ID x .250 in OD, up to 60 psi, low-density polyethylene with at least 2% carbon black.
- Watch out
- DIG's page names only the black B38P and says black only; the brown B38PB color comes from the listing. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or DIG.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- .170 in ID x .250 in OD (B38P family)
- 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)
- 1/4 in barbed 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 barbed tee with the tubing ID stated
Raindrip 307050B 1/4 in barbed tee (50‑pack)
Pick it if: Splitting 1/4 in branches, or adding two branches at one punched hole
- Why it's here
- Raindrip lists the 307050B tee for 1/4 in supply tubing or dripline with a 0.170 in internal diameter, ABS, up to 50 psi, 50 to a pack.
- Watch out
- Rated to 50 psi, below the tubing on this list. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Raindrip.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- 1/4 in supply tubing or dripline, 0.170 in ID
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Single-barbed tee that fits inside the tubing
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in polyethylene blank tubing, 50 ft
Rain Bird T22‑50S 1/4 in blank distribution tubing (0.165 x 0.245 in, 50 ft)
Pick it if: Shorter 1/4 in branch runs where a 50 ft coil is enough
- Why it's here
- Rain Bird lists T22-50 as 50 ft of 1/4 in polyethylene blank tubing at 0.165 in ID x 0.245 in OD (0.17 x 0.25 in in its spec table), for 1/4 in barbed fittings and stakes.
- Watch out
- Rain Bird's page gives both 70 psi and 60 psi, so plan on 60 psi. Amazon and retailers list it as T22-50S. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- 0.165 in ID x 0.245 in OD (rounded to 0.17 x 0.25 in in the page's spec table)
- 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)
- Takes 1/4 in barbed fittings and stakes (couplings, elbows, tees)
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in polyethylene tubing with ID and OD stated
Rain Bird XQ100 1/4 in XQ distribution tubing (100 ft)
Pick it if: Branch lines from a 1/2 in mainline to emitters and sprays with barbs made for .17 in ID tubing
- Why it's here
- Rain Bird lists XQ 1/4 in distribution tubing as polyethylene at 0.17 in ID x 0.25 in OD, rated 0 to 60 psi, for above or below grade.
- Watch out
- Rain Bird's sheet prints a wall figure that does not match its own ID and OD, so ignore it; its 'all 1/4 in transfer fittings' wording is a maker claim, not a fit. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- 0.17 in ID x 0.25 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)
- Fits over barbed outlet ports, Xerigation emission devices and 1/4 in transfer 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 polyethylene tubing, 100 ft, ID and OD stated
Raindrip 016010T 1/4 in black polyethylene supply tubing (0.170 x 0.250 in, 100 ft)
Pick it if: 1/4 in branches with barbed fittings stated for 0.170 in ID tubing
- Why it's here
- Raindrip lists 016010T as a 100 ft coil of 1/4 in black polyethylene supply tubing at 0.170 in ID x 0.250 in OD, joined with micro fittings such as barbed connectors.
- Watch out
- Raindrip states no pressure rating, and its middle layer is recycled material. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Raindrip.
- 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)
- Joins the supply line and other lengths with 1/4 in micro fittings such as barbed connectors; the other end goes straight onto an emitter
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in barbed coupling
Rain Bird BC25/10PS 1/4 in barbed coupling (10‑pack)
Pick it if: Joining two lengths of 1/4 in tubing
- Why it's here
- A coupling from Rain Bird's 1/4 in barbed fittings line, which Rain Bird says pushes together, can go above or below ground and is rated 0 to 50 psi.
- Watch out
- Rain Bird's fittings page gives no tubing ID or OD, only an 'all sizes' claim; match it to .17 in ID tubing such as XQ. Rated to 50 psi, below XQ's 60. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- 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)
- Barbed transfer fitting; self-pierces 1/2 or 3/4 in tubing to start a 1/4 in branch
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in barbed coupling, bag of 30
Rain Bird BC25‑30PS 1/4 in barbed coupling (30‑pack)
Pick it if: Larger 1/4 in layouts with many joins
- Why it's here
- The same BC25 coupling in Rain Bird's bag of 30; Rain Bird lists the BC25 in bags of 10 or 30 at 0 to 50 psi.
- Watch out
- Same as the bag of 10: no stated tubing dimensions on Rain Bird's page, rated to 50 psi. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- 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)
- Barbed transfer fitting; self-pierces 1/2 or 3/4 in tubing to start a 1/4 in branch
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in barbed tee
Rain Bird BT25/10PS 1/4 in barbed tee (10‑pack)
Pick it if: Splitting one 1/4 in branch to two plants
- Why it's here
- A tee from the same Rain Bird 1/4 in barbed fittings line, rated 0 to 50 psi, above or below ground.
- Watch out
- Same as the coupling: no stated tubing dimensions on Rain Bird's page. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- 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)
- Barbed; the barb can also self-pierce 1/2 in or larger tubing
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
1/4 in barbed tee, bag of 30
Rain Bird BT25‑30PS 1/4 in barbed tee (30‑pack)
Pick it if: Larger 1/4 in layouts with many branches
- Why it's here
- The same BT25 tee in a bag of 30, rated by Rain Bird at 0 to 50 psi.
- Watch out
- Amazon's title calls it an elbow; check that the pictured part is the tee. No stated tubing dimensions on Rain Bird's page. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- 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)
- Barbed; the barb can also self-pierce 1/2 in or larger tubing
- 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
| Item | Stated size | Pressure | Above or below ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Bird XQ100 tubing | 0.17 in ID x 0.25 in OD | 0-60 psi | Both |
| Rain Bird T22-50S tubing | 0.165 in ID x 0.245 in OD | 60 psi (page also says 70) | Not stated |
| DIG B38PB tubing | .170 in ID x .250 in OD | Up to 60 psi | Not stated |
| Raindrip 307050B tee | For 0.170 in ID tubing | Up to 50 psi | Not stated |
| Rain Bird BC25/10PS coupling | No dimensions stated | 0-50 psi (line rating) | Both |
| Rain Bird BT25/10PS tee | No dimensions stated | 0-50 psi (line rating) | Both |
Rain Bird's XQ figures come from its spec sheet.[6] Its tech sheet prints a wall figure that does not match (0.25 - 0.17) / 2, so ignore it.[7] Rain Bird's T22-50 page gives 0.165 x 0.245 in in its details and 0.17 x 0.25 in in its spec table, and both 70 and 60 psi; we quote the lower figure.[8] DIG's figures for the B38P family come from its 1/4 in poly tubing page, which lists the coil in black only.[9] Raindrip's tee figures come from its 307050B page.[10] The coupling and tee ratings come from Rain Bird's 1/4 in barbed fittings page.[3]
Starting the branch
These parts join and split 1/4 in tubing. To start a branch from the 1/2 in line you also need a takeoff. Rain Bird's SPB-025 self-piercing barb joins 1/4 in tubing to 1/2 or 3/4 in tubing and is inserted with the XM-Tool.[11] The connect 1/4 in to 1/2 in guide covers the options, and the 1/4 in sizes guide explains the family.
See the microtubing and connectors hub for punches, plugs and leaks.
Questions
Will Rain Bird's 1/4 in fittings fit any 1/4 in tubing?
Rain Bird says they accept all sizes of 1/4 in tubing, but gives no dimensions, so treat that as a claim. 1/4 in tubing is sold at .156 x .245, .160 x .220 and .170 x .250 in, among others; match the ID.[3][1]
How do I start a 1/4 in branch from the 1/2 in line?
With a takeoff in a punched hole or a self-piercing barb such as Rain Bird's SPB-025, which Rain Bird inserts with its XM-Tool. See connecting 1/4 in to 1/2 in.[11]