Tubing size
16 and 17 mm drip tubing and fittings: what makers state
DIG labels its 1/2 in barbs 16 and 17 mm, Rain Bird's XF insert fittings are 17 mm, and Easy-Fit lists 16-18 mm OD. Netafim gives inch values only.
Also listed as 16 mm, 17 mm, 16 mm drip line, 17 mm fittings
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Short answer
16 and 17 mm are metric names for the 1/2 in class. DIG labels its 1/2 in barbed fittings 16 and 17 mm, Rain Bird lists XF insert fittings as 17 mm barb-style (0-50 psi) and Easy-Fit for 16-18 mm OD, and Rain Bird's XFD is 16.1 mm OD. Netafim lists Techline CV in inches only and names no approved fittings. See joining metric tubing.
Key facts
- Names it is sold under
- 16 and 17 mm (DIG's 1/2 in barbed range); 17 mm (Rain Bird XF insert fittings); 13-16 mm, labeled 1/2 in (Claber)[1][2][3]
- Outside diameter
- Rain Bird XFD: 16.1 mm (0.634 in). Rain Bird Easy-Fit: listed for 16-18 mm (0.63-0.70 in) OD[4][5]
- Inside diameter
- Rain Bird XFD: 13.6 mm (0.536 in). A distributor lists Irritec's 600 Series hose coupling for .590-.630 in ID[4][6]The Irritec figure is from a distributor's listing (Cal-West), in inch values only.
- Tubing makers list at this size
- Rain Bird XFD dripline (metric and inch values given). Claber 13x16 supply tube. Netafim Techline CV is listed in inches only (0.56 x 0.66 in), and Netafim does not call it 17 mm[4][3][7]
- Compression fittings for this OD
- Rain Bird Easy-Fit: 16-18 mm (0.63-0.70 in) OD, 0-60 psi[5]
- Locking-nut and universal fittings
- DIG lists NUTLOC by inch ID and OD (.630-.710 in OD); its metric labels read 16, 18 mm in one place and 16, 17, 18 mm in another[8]
- Barbed fittings
- DIG: a range of 1/2 in barbed fittings labeled 16 and 17 mm, with no barb diameter stated. Rain Bird XF insert fittings (XFF-COUP, XFF-ELBOW, XFF-TEE, XFF-MA-050): 17 mm barb-style, named for XFD[1][2][4]
- Reducers and adapters
- Rain Bird XF elbow and tee adapters with a 1/2 in FPT inlet, for XF Series dripline[9]
- End closures, plugs and stakes
- Not confirmedNo end closure listed by a metric size is in our sources.
- How to identify it
- Read the print on the line for a millimeter or inch size. Then cut a fresh, square end and measure the OD with calipers; Rain Bird's XFD, for example, is 16.1 mm (0.634 in). Steps: [how to measure drip tubing](/guides/how-to-measure-drip-tubing); lookup: [tubing size finder](/tools/drip-tubing-size-finder)[4]
- Maker-page conflicts
- The distributor listing for Irritec's 600 Series coupling pairs its inch wall range with millimeter values that are not equal conversions; use the inch values. DIG's NUTLOC page gives its metric sizes two ways[6][8]
- Not confirmed
- Not confirmedNetafim's Techline CV page names no approved fittings; it links a 17 mm fittings section and a dealer locator. No source shows that Rain Bird XF fittings and other makers' 17 mm fittings are interchangeable.
Watch out for
- Netafim gives Techline CV in inches only (0.56 x 0.66 in) and does not call it 17 mm.
- DIG's '16 and 17 mm' label covers a range of barbed fittings without a barb diameter or a list of driplines each fits.
- The Irritec 600 Series figures come from a distributor's listing, not an Irritec document, and its millimeter conversions do not match.
- Claber's 13-16 mm family is labeled 1/2 in; the label does not tie it to a US OD.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
Compression coupling (16-18 mm)
Rain Bird Easy-Fit EFC25‑1PS 1/2 in universal compression coupling (0.63‑0.70 in OD)Choose the EFC25-1PS coupling for 16-18 mm (0.63-0.70 in) OD tubing.
Rain Bird lists Easy-Fit for 16-18 mm OD, 0-60 psi.
16.1 mm OD dripline
Rain Bird XFD‑09‑12‑100 on-surface dripline (0.9 GPH, 12 in spacing, 100 ft)Choose the XFD-09-12-100 (0.9 GPH, 12 in spacing, 100 ft).
Rain Bird lists 13.6 mm ID x 16.1 mm OD and names XF 17 mm insert fittings or Easy-Fit for it.
Faucet adapter with 17 mm outlet
Orbit 67738 3‑in‑1 faucet adapter (3/4 in FHT, 150 mesh filter, 20 psi regulator, 1/2 in Drip-Lock)Choose the 67738 3-in-1 adapter for 17 mm blank tubing.
Orbit lists a Drip-Lock push outlet for 17 mm or 0.700 in OD blank tubing and a 3/4 in FHT inlet.
Questions
Is 17 mm drip tubing the same as 1/2 in?
Makers use both names for the same class: DIG labels its 1/2 in barbed fittings 16 and 17 mm. The numbers still differ by maker, for example Rain Bird's XFD at 16.1 mm (0.634 in) OD, so compare ID and OD.[1][4]
Do Rain Bird XF fittings fit Netafim Techline CV?
No source confirms it. Rain Bird names XF insert fittings for XFD, and Netafim's Techline CV page names no approved fittings.[4][7]
Which compression fitting lists metric sizes?
Rain Bird lists Easy-Fit for 16-18 mm (0.63-0.70 in) OD tubing, rated 0-60 psi.[5]