1/4 in poly microtubing: .170 x .250 in, barbs, stakes and plugs

Key facts

Names it is sold under

1/4 in poly micro tubing (DIG); 1/4 in distribution tubing (Rain Bird XQ)^[1][2]Rain Bird's XQ figures come from its spec sheet; the XQ product page lists no specs.

Outside diameter

.250 in (DIG); 0.25 in (Rain Bird XQ)^[1][2]

Inside diameter

.170 in (DIG, including B38P in its G77AS kit); 0.17 in (Rain Bird XQ)^[1][3][2]

Tubing makers list at this size

DIG 12-041, 12-060 and 12-065 (.170 x .250 in, linear low-density polyethylene); Rain Bird XQ (polyethylene)^[1][2]DIG's figures come from its 2016 greenhouse catalog; check the current SKU page.

Maker pressure rating

DIG: up to 60 psi (2016 catalog). Rain Bird XQ: 0-60 psi, above or below grade^[1][4][2]

Compression fittings for this OD

Not confirmedThe compression fittings in our sources are 1/2 in parts.

Locking-nut and universal fittings

Not confirmedNo locking-nut fitting for 1/4 in tubing is in our sources.

Barbed fittings

Rain Bird 1/4 in barbed couplings, elbows and tees: push together, above or below ground, 0-50 psi. DIG says both its poly and vinyl 1/4 in tubing accept 1/4 in barbed fittings^[5][6]Rain Bird's 'all sizes of 1/4 in' wording gives no dimensions, so we do not treat it as a fit claim.

Reducers and adapters

Rain Bird SPB-025 self-piercing barb: joins 1/4 in tubing to 1/2 or 3/4 in tubing, inserted with the XM-Tool, 0-50 psi^[7]

End closures, plugs and stakes

Rain Bird TS-025 stake for 1/4 in tubing with a 0.16-0.18 in ID. Rain Bird 1/4 in tubing plug for flushing, draining or sealing holes. DIG P32B 5 in galvanized wire stake for 1/4 in tubing^[8][5][9]

How to identify it

Read the print or the bag first. Then cut a fresh, square end and measure the OD with calipers; a reading near .250 in fits this entry. Drip Depot says to check a tube's ID and OD before buying fittings. Steps: [how to measure drip tubing](/guides/how-to-measure-drip-tubing); lookup: [tubing size finder](/tools/drip-tubing-size-finder)^[10]

Maker-page conflicts

Rain Bird's XQ sheet prints a wall figure that does not match its own 0.17 x 0.25 in ID and OD, so we quote ID and OD only^[4]

Not confirmed

Not confirmedNo source maps each 1/4 in barb to a tubing ID. DIG's poly sizes come from a 2016 catalog. No source gives a measuring tolerance.

What fits

Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.

• 1/4 in distribution tubing

  Rain Bird XQ100 1/4 in XQ distribution tubing (100 ft)

  Choose the XQ100 100 ft coil.

  Rain Bird lists 0.17 in ID x 0.25 in OD, 0-60 psi.

• 1/4 in polyethylene supply tubing

  Raindrip 016010T 1/4 in black polyethylene supply tubing (0.170 x 0.250 in, 100 ft)

  Choose the 016010T 100 ft coil.

  Raindrip lists 0.170 in ID x 0.250 in OD and states no pressure rating.

  Check price on Amazon

• 1/4 in emitter tubing

  Rain Bird ET25‑50S2 1/4 in emitter tubing (0.8 GPH, 12 in spacing, 50 ft)

  Choose the ET25-50S2 (12 in spacing, 50 ft).

  Emitter tubing, not blank tubing: Rain Bird lists 0.17 x 0.25 in with 0.8 GPH emitters.

• 1/4 in emitter tubing with faucet kit

  Rain Bird ET25‑50S2 1/4 in emitter tubing (0.8 GPH, 12 in, 50 ft) with FCKIT faucet connection kit

  Choose the ET25-50S2 sold with the FCKIT-1PK faucet kit.

  The same 50 ft coil plus Rain Bird's faucet connection kit.

  Check price on Amazon

• 1/4 in dripline

  DIG Microline SHB106 1/4 in dripline (6 in spacing, 100 ft, brown)

  Choose the SHB106 (6 in spacing, 100 ft).

  DIG Microline is .170 x .250 in with built-in emitters, 10-25 psi.

  Check price on Amazon