Connection standard
3/8 in quick-connect: plugs, couplers and the hoses that use it
The 3/8 in quick-connect on pumps, hoses and guns: plug vs coupler, makers that state it, the M22 adapters sold for it, and the ratings on its parts.
Also listed as 3/8 QC, 3/8 inch quick connect, 3/8 quick coupler
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Short answer
A 3/8 in quick-connect joins a male plug to a female coupler (socket) whose sleeve or collar locks it, with no thread at the joint. Champion's 100386 pump outlet is one (the parts list names a 3/8 quick coupler), and SIMPSON's 41028 and 41114 and DEWALT's DXPA50PH hoses use 3/8 in plug and socket ends. ECHO, RYOBI and MTM Hydro sell adapters from M22 to 3/8 in quick-connect.
What fits
- 3/8 in QC hose, cold waterSIMPSON Monster Hose 41028 3/8 in x 50 ft 4,500 PSI cold-water pressure washer hose, 3/8 in QCCheck price on Amazon
- 3/8 in QC hose, hot and coldSIMPSON Armor Hose 41114 3/8 in x 50 ft 4,500 PSI hot and cold water pressure washer hose, 3/8 in QCCheck price on Amazon
- Extension wand, 3/8 in quick plugWestinghouse PWEXT extension wand kit for pressure washers, 4,000 PSI, 4 GPMCheck price on Amazon
Key facts
- How to recognize it
- On a disconnected, depressurized part only: two halves, a plug (Dixon calls it a nipple) and a coupler with a sliding sleeve or collar. Champion's 100386 pump outlet is a female quick connector with a sliding metal collar that takes the hose's male end[1][2]Dixon's terms come from industrial couplings and carry over; its ratings do not.
- Thread
- None at the joint. A plug or coupler often has a pipe thread behind it: MTM lists 3/8 in MPT and FPT couplers[3]
- How it seals
- Dixon's industrial couplings hold the halves with locking balls under the coupler sleeve and seal with O-ring and valve seals[1]Industrial couplings; pressure-washer makers in the sources read do not describe the seal.
- Male and female ends
- Male plug and female coupler (socket). SIMPSON's 41028 has a 3/8 in male QC plug on one end and a female QC socket on the other; DEWALT's DXPA50PH has 3/8 in one-piece QC socket and plug fittings[4][5]
- Where makers use it
- Champion 100386 pump outlet (3/8 quick coupler in the parts list); SIMPSON 41028 and 41114 hoses; DEWALT DXPA50PH hose; Westinghouse PWEXT gun inlet (3/8 in quick plug)[2][4][6][5][7]
- Adapters makers sell
- ECHO Quick Connect Coupler Kit: two adapters from M22 to 3/8 in male or female, listed to 4,000 PSI. RYOBI RY31QCK01: seven-piece quick-connect kit listed to 4,000 PSI (garden hose to inlet, hose to outlet, hose to trigger handle). RYOBI RY31EP26VNM pole: includes a 3/8 in QC to M22 adaptor (Canadian listing). MTM: M22 plug (14 mm) x 3/8 in stainless QC coupler; M22 female 15 mm twist coupler x 3/8 in stainless QC plug[8][9][10][3]RYOBI's page did not list each RY31QCK01 adapter's two ends.
- Ratings on parts
- SIMPSON 41028: 4,500 PSI, to 140°F, cold water. SIMPSON 41114: 4,500 PSI, 250°F. DEWALT DXPA50PH: 5,000 PSI, 140°F. Dixon's industrial 3/8 in H-Series coupler and plug: steel 4,000 PSI, brass 2,500, 303 stainless 3,500[4][6][5][1]Dixon's figures show material changes the rating; they are not pressure-washer QC ratings.
- Common mix-ups
- The 1/4 in quick-connect is the size makers put at the wand outlet for nozzles (SIMPSON's MSH3125 lance, DEWALT's DXPA31SW wand); 3/8 in is the size on the hoses and pump coupler listed here[11][12][4]Read both ends on the listing; size names alone are shorthand.
- Not confirmed
- Not confirmedNo pressure-washer maker read publishes 3/8 in QC dimensions; Dixon's figures are industrial. The Champion 100386's gun-end collar size and the DEWALT DXPW4440's QC size are not stated.
Watch out for
- A hot-water-rated hose such as SIMPSON's 41114 (250°F) does not make the rest of the system hot-water capable.
- Dixon's coupling ratings are for industrial hydraulic couplings; do not apply them to pressure-washer quick-connects.
- RYOBI's RY31QCK01 page did not show each adapter's two ends; check the kit contents against your machine.
- Disconnect a quick-connect only after depressurizing; Champion says never disconnect the discharge hose while the system is pressurized.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
3/8 in QC hose, cold water
SIMPSON Monster Hose 41028 3/8 in x 50 ft 4,500 PSI cold-water pressure washer hose, 3/8 in QCChoose the 3/8 in x 50 ft hose with the 3/8 in QC plug and socket.
SIMPSON lists a 3/8 in male QC plug on one end and a 3/8 in female QC socket on the other.
3/8 in QC hose, hot and cold
SIMPSON Armor Hose 41114 3/8 in x 50 ft 4,500 PSI hot and cold water pressure washer hose, 3/8 in QCChoose the 3/8 in x 50 ft hose with QC ends.
SIMPSON lists 3/8 in QC plug and socket ends.
Extension wand, 3/8 in quick plug
Westinghouse PWEXT extension wand kit for pressure washers, 4,000 PSI, 4 GPMChoose the PWEXT extension wand kit.
Westinghouse lists a 3/8 in quick plug on the gun inlet, with two M22 male brass fittings in the box.
Questions
Which half of a 3/8 in quick-connect is the plug?
The male half is the plug (Dixon calls it a nipple); the female coupler or socket has the sliding sleeve or collar. On the Champion 100386, the pump's female coupler takes the hose's male end.[1][2]
Can I convert an M22 hose to a 3/8 in quick-connect?
Makers sell adapters for it: ECHO's kit converts M22 to 3/8 in male or female and is listed to 4,000 PSI, and MTM sells M22 14 mm and 15 mm to 3/8 in QC adapters. Name both ends before you buy. See adapters between M22 and quick-connect.[8][3]
Is a brass quick-connect rated the same as a steel one?
Not in Dixon's industrial range: its 3/8 in steel coupler and plug is rated 4,000 PSI, brass 2,500 and 303 stainless 3,500. Those are industrial figures, but they show that you need the part's own rating, not its material.[1]