Guide · Nozzle tips and turbo nozzles
0, 15, 25, 40 degrees and soap: nozzle colors and angles
The angle sets how wide the fan is; the color is how a maker marks it. Neither tells you the size. Generac's and Westinghouse's color names, and the angles makers ship.
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Short answer
The angle (0, 15, 25 or 40 degrees) sets how wide the fan is. The color is how many makers mark that angle, and each maker uses its own scheme. Neither the angle nor the color tells you the nozzle size. For that, read the number stamped on the tip.
Angle, color and size are three different things
Cat Pumps says the nozzle number and the spray angle are both stamped on a nozzle, so a "4-25" is size 4 with a 25-degree fan.[1] The spray angle is a separate figure from the size.[1]
The angle does not change how much water the tip passes. Cat Pumps states that spray angle does not affect nozzle flow; flow depends on the nozzle size and the pressure.[2] A whole set in one size puts the same demand on the pump whichever angle you click in.
The color is a maker's label for the angle. It is not a standard, and it never tells you the size. For sizes, see the nozzle size chart.
Two makers' color schemes
Generac's manual names its quick-connect tips by color: red for blast, green for clean, white for wash and black for detergent.[3] Generac gives no degree values for those colors. Westinghouse's PWEXT kit marks its five tips red 0, yellow 15, green 25, white 40 and black 65 degrees.[4]
| Color | Westinghouse PWEXT kit | Generac's name |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 0 degrees | Blast |
| Yellow | 15 degrees | Not listed |
| Green | 25 degrees | Clean |
| White | 40 degrees | Wash |
| Black | 65 degrees (soap) | Detergent |
The columns come from two different documents. Generac does not say its red tip is 0 degrees, so do not assume another maker's tips follow either scheme. Check your own manual.
The soap tip
Generac says detergent cannot be applied with the high-pressure tips; its black tip is the detergent tip.[3] The soap nozzle is a low-pressure tip, which is why it comes as a separate piece in most sets. We cover the hardware only, not cleaning products. If you want a bottle on the wand instead, see foam cannon connections.
Which angles makers ship
Not every machine comes with all four angles.
| Machine or set | Tips the maker lists |
|---|---|
| Sun Joe SPX3000 (MR12 manual) | 0, 15, 25, 40 degrees and soap[5] |
| Generac SpeedWash G0079000 | 0, 25, 40 degrees and soap[6] |
| RYOBI RY1419MT | 15 degrees, turbo and soap[7] |
| Active 2.0 | 0, 15, 25 and 40 degrees, size 3.7[8] |
| DEWALT DXPA34ST and DXPA45ST sets | 0, 15, 25, 40 degrees and soap, in size 3.0 or 4.0[9][10] |
The Sun Joe manual lists these tips as parts; it does not name the fitting standard on the machine. RYOBI says the RY1419MT wand has a 1/4 in quick-connect nozzle coupler.[7] If you are adding the angles your machine did not ship with, buy them in the size your machine uses, not just the angle.
The 0-degree tip
A 0-degree tip puts all of the flow into a single narrow jet instead of a fan. We make no claims about what any angle does to a given surface; follow your machine's manual for where each tip may be used.
Approved tip sets
Picks that fit3 products
Each set has all five tips (0, 15, 25, 40 degrees and soap) in one size. SIMPSON 80145 is size 3.0; SIMPSON 80146 and DEWALT DXPA45ST are size 4.0.
More on choosing
Choose the size your machine uses, and keep the set's PSI rating above your machine's. On Amazon, check that Ships from / Sold by is Amazon.com or the brand.
SIMPSON five-tip set, smaller of two sizes
SIMPSON 80145 1/4 in quick-connect nozzle set, 5 tips, size 3.0, 3,600 PSI
SIMPSON five-tip set, larger of two sizes
SIMPSON 80146 1/4 in quick-connect nozzle set, 5 tips, size 4.0, 4,500 PSI
Five-tip set in size 4.0
DEWALT DXPA45ST 4,500 PSI quick-connect spray tips, 5 tips, size 4.0, stainless steel
Next
Questions
What is the red nozzle for?
In Generac's manual, red is the 'blast' tip, and in Westinghouse's PWEXT kit red is the 0-degree tip. Colors are each maker's own scheme, so check your manual.[3][4]
Which nozzle is for soap?
The low-pressure soap tip, which Generac colors black and calls detergent. Generac says detergent cannot be applied with the high-pressure tips.[3]
Is a 0-degree nozzle dangerous?
Any tip can injure. The CDC warns that spray can cause serious wounds that may first look minor and can throw objects at people nearby, and says never to point a pressure washer at yourself or others.[11]
Does the color tell me the nozzle size?
No. Cat Pumps says the size number and the angle are both stamped on the nozzle; the color is a maker's marking for the angle. Read the stamp to know the size.[1]