If your backyard is large enough, it’s very likely that some of its corners will fall too far away from the nearest tap – beyond the reach of a standard expandable hose.

If this happens, you can either install a new spigot further away from your house (which would require time, money, and contractors), or double your reach by hooking to garden hoses together.

Learn how to connect two garden hoses.

You may also need to know how to connect two garden hoses if you want to attach a new spraying nozzle, as the procedure is largely the same.

Here, we will show you how to connect two hoses neatly and without creating any leaks!

How to Connect Two Garden Hoses

The procedure you need to follow to connect two garden hoses will depend on whether both hoses are of the size or not. Fortunately, most garden hoses now come in a few standardized sizes.

Hose connectors usually come in compatible “male” and a “female” versions. The male one will have a visible thread on the outside, while the female type has the thread on the inside.

They get these names because the male connector is supposed to help screw hoses into the female one.

Connecting two hoses of the same size

Diagnose the problem

Many garden hoses nowadays come with a pre-installed male connector on one of their ends. This is because nozzles are usually equipped with a female fitting by default. 

If this is your case, you may find yourself with two male connectors, and you will just need to install a female hose thread into one.

Before you buy anything, check what you have and what you really need.

Get the right tools

The connectors you buy need to match the size of your hose. This is determined by the diameter of the hose. Most garden hoses are 3/4’’, 5/8’’, or a 1/2’’.

You can usually measure the diameter yourself using a ruler, or you can follow the instructions here.

If you only need to replace one of the sides of the connector, you can always cut off the broken one and take it to the hardware store. This will ensure you buy the correct type.

If you need both, buy a female and male connector together as a set. Often, the male connectors tend to break first, so you will only need to replace that one.

You will also need a utility knife, a screwdriver, and a measuring tape or ruler.

Cut a new edge for the hose

It’s easier to prevent leaks if your hose ends in a neat and straight edge. Use the utility knife to cut the hose at least 2 inches away from its current edge. To prevent jagged edges, do this in one smooth movement

Prepare the hose

If you have a vinyl garden hose, try to soften it a bit before installing the new connector. Just soak it in hot water for a couple of minutes.

Install the new connector

The next step will vary a bit depending on the type of connector:

Compression fittings

Compression fittings provide a tighter seal and are more resilient than the alternatives. These fittings have two parts: a metal one with a round plastic gap, and an additional fastening ring.

First, push the hose through the fastening ring. Then, grab the other piece and insert the hose inside its plastic gap.

If you are installing a compression fitting, you will see the fitting has a round gap on the side that is supposed to be attached to the hose.

Insert the hose inside this gap and push it in until it’s flush. Then, fasten the ring around the connector.

Clamp ring fittings

Clamp ring fittings tend to be smaller and easier to install. Just put the main piece inside the hose’s mouth. Then, slide the ring around it. You can tighten the ring by turning the side screw with a screwdriver.

Barbed fittings

Barbed fittings are the easiest ones to install and require no additional tools. However, they also have the shortest life span.

Instead of a separate ring, they have a set of spiky barbs that attach themselves to the inside of the hose’s mouth.  Simply push the connector inside the hose as much as you can. The barbs will prevent it from coming out.

Repeat steps on the other hose

If neither hose came with a pre-attached connector or fitting, simply repeat the steps above on the other hose.

Connect the two hoses

All three types of fittings we described above use a thread connection to attach the two hoses. Simply screw the male into the female connector.

Make sure the female hose thread is evenly aligned: cross-threading will make the connectors impossible to separate, and may break them.

Connecting Two Hoses of a Different Sizes

Most commercial garden hoses have a diameter of 5/8’’. Occasionally, you will have to connect one of these with a 3/4’’ inch hose. In these cases, you will also need to get an adapter.

Adapters usually have a male and female size, which needs to match the connectors you are using.

Measure your hoses

Use a measuring tape and measure both hoses. Write down which one will get a male connector and which one will get a female one.

When shopping for the connector, look for these exact measurements on the label. You will often see the male hose thread listed as MHT, and the female one as FHT.

For example, you may see a connector labeled as “5/8’’ MHT x 3/4’’ FHT”. This means that you will have to attach your male connector to the 5/8’’ and the female one to the 3/4’’ one

Install the connectors

Follow the method described above to cut the hose, soften it, and install the connectors to each hose.

Screw on the adapter

To connect the two hoses, screw each connector into the right side of the adapter. Twist it tightly and make sure not to cross-thread it.

Final Thoughts

Connecting two hoses together is much cheaper than installing a new water line and tap on the outskirts of your garden. If you already have a superb garden hose, it also makes sense to make it larger instead of replacing it altogether.

Using adapters and connectors to join two hoses together is actually quite simple and requires very common tools. The key is to measure the hoses properly to ensure that each piece is made from the correct size.