Watering and hoses
Garden hose flow rate: how to measure it
Flow rate is how much water comes out of your hose, usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM). It tells you how long watering takes and whether a sprinkler or pressure washer will work well on your supply. The only reliable way to know yours is to measure it.
Updated 26 Oct 2026 · Facts checked against the sources at the end.
The bucket test
- Attach the hose you normally use, with no nozzle.
- Turn the faucet fully on.
- Time how many seconds it takes to fill a 5-gallon bucket.
- Gallons per minute = 5 ÷ (seconds ÷ 60).
| Seconds to fill 5 gallons | Flow |
|---|---|
| 30 | 10 GPM |
| 40 | 7.5 GPM |
| 60 | 5 GPM |
| 75 | 4 GPM |
| 100 | 3 GPM |
Repeat with your nozzle or sprinkler attached to see how much they reduce it.
What lowers flow
- Length: a longer hose loses more pressure to friction.
- Diameter: a narrower hose carries less water. See 5/8 vs 1/2 inch.
- Kinks and crushed sections.
- Splitters, timers and quick-connects, each a small restriction.
- Clogged washers with screens or dirty nozzles.
- Your home's water pressure and supply pipe size, which you cannot change with a hose.
- Height: pushing water uphill lowers pressure at the end.
Pressure is not the same as flow
A nozzle can make a fast, hard jet from a small amount of water, so it feels strong while the total flow is low. For filling, soaking and sprinklers, flow is what counts. To improve it, see how to increase garden hose pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How many gallons per minute does a garden hose flow?
It varies with your water pressure, hose length and diameter. Measure yours: time how long it takes to fill a 5-gallon bucket and divide 5 by the minutes.
Does a longer hose reduce flow?
Yes. Water loses pressure to friction along the hose, so a longer hose delivers less flow than a shorter one of the same diameter.
Why is my hose flow so low?
Common causes are a partly closed faucet, a kink, a clogged washer screen or nozzle, a long or narrow hose, or low water pressure at the house.
Related
Sources
Written in our own words from the sources above. See our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.