Pressure Washer Nozzle Chart: Colors, Sizes and a Nozzle Size Calculator
A pressure washer nozzle chart answers two questions. The color tells you the spray angle: red is 0 degrees, yellow 15, green 25, white 40 and black is the low pressure soap tip. The number tells you the orifice size, and the right size depends on your pump’s PSI and GPM. Use the color chart and the nozzle size calculator below to pick both.
Pressure washer nozzle color chart
The colors are the same across most brands. The uses below are from Simpson, which makes pressure washers and publishes the color guide for its machines.
| Color | Spray angle | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 0 degrees | A concentrated spot for high areas such as under eaves, tar or gum on sidewalks, and loose paint. Simpson warns it can cut into soft surfaces |
| Yellow | 15 degrees | Unpainted hard surfaces, stripping loose paint from wood, masonry or metal, heavy oxidation on boats and equipment |
| Green | 25 degrees | Standard cleaning and rinsing, mildew and light oxidation on aluminum siding, prep before painting |
| White | 40 degrees | Painted or delicate surfaces, general wash-downs, rinsing off chemicals, sweeping driveways |
| Black | Low pressure | Applying detergent. Simpson notes cleaning solutions cannot be applied with the four high pressure tips |
Whatever tip you use, Simpson’s advice is to start well away from the surface, move in slowly and stop if you see any damage.
Pressure washer nozzle size calculator
Enter the pressure and flow printed on your pump label or in the manual. If you run a surface cleaner, pick the number of tips on its spray bar.
Pressure washer nozzle size calculator
| Flow through each nozzle | |
|---|---|
| One size smaller | |
| One size larger | |
| Tip codes for this size (angle then size) |
Pressure washer nozzle size chart
This chart gives the stock nozzle size for one tip at common pump ratings. Find your pump’s GPM in the left column and its PSI along the top.
| GPM | 1,500 PSI | 2,000 PSI | 2,500 PSI | 3,000 PSI | 3,500 PSI | 4,000 PSI | 5,000 PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 GPM | 2.5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| 2 GPM | 3.5 | 3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2.5 GPM | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| 3 GPM | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 |
| 3.5 GPM | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 |
| 4 GPM | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 |
| 4.5 GPM | 7.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 |
| 5 GPM | 8 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 |
| 5.5 GPM | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 |
| 6 GPM | 10 | 9 | 7.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 |
| 8 GPM | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Each cell is the stock size that brings the pump closest to its rated pressure. When two sizes are equally close, we list the larger one, which runs slightly under rated pressure and is easier on the pump and unloader.
What do the numbers on a pressure washer nozzle mean?
Most tips carry a five digit code: the first two digits are the spray angle and the last three are the orifice size times ten. A 25045 tip is a 25 degree tip in size 4.5, and a 15030 is a 15 degree tip in size 3.0.
The size number is the flow the tip passes at 4,000 PSI. On General Pump’s nozzle chart, a size 4 tip flows 4.00 GPM at 4,000 PSI and 3.46 GPM at 3,000 PSI. That gives the formula the calculator uses:
Nozzle size = GPM x the square root of (4,000 / PSI)
For a 4 GPM, 3,000 PSI pump: 4 x the square root of 1.333 = 4.62. The nearest stock size is 4.5, and General Pump’s chart shows a 4.5 tip flowing 3.90 GPM at 3,000 PSI, close to the pump’s 4 GPM.
What size nozzle do I need for my pressure washer?
Match the size to the pump, not to the job. The color decides how the water hits the surface; the size decides the pressure the pump builds. A few common examples from the calculator:
| Pump rating | Exact size | Stock size to buy | Pressure with that size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 GPM at 3,000 PSI | 2.89 | 3.0 | about 2,780 PSI |
| 4.0 GPM at 3,000 PSI | 4.62 | 4.5 | about 3,160 PSI |
| 4.0 GPM at 4,000 PSI | 4.00 | 4.0 | 4,000 PSI |
| 5.5 GPM at 3,500 PSI | 5.88 | 6.0 | about 3,360 PSI |
| 8.0 GPM at 3,000 PSI | 9.24 | 9.0 | about 3,160 PSI |
A tip that is too small pushes pressure above the pump’s rating and makes the unloader work harder. A tip that is too large drops the pressure. If you are not sure what your pump is rated for, our guide on how to adjust a pressure washer unloader valve explains how to check pressure with a gauge.
Nozzle sizes for surface cleaners
A surface cleaner splits the pump’s flow between the tips on its spinning bar. A 4 GPM pump with a two-tip bar sends 2 GPM through each tip, so each tip is sized for 2 GPM. At 3,000 PSI that is size 2.5 in each position, not the 4.5 you would use on the wand. Use the same size in every position so each tip gets an equal share of the flow.
When to replace a pressure washer nozzle
Tips wear. Water wears the orifice bigger over time, and a bigger orifice means lower pressure from the same pump. If a machine that used to clean well has slowly lost pressure, a worn tip is one of the cheapest things to check before you suspect the pump. Our guide to a pressure washer losing pressure walks through the checks in order, and pressure washer surging or pulsing covers a tip that is partly blocked.
Choosing a machine? Our best commercial pressure washers guide lists the PSI and GPM of each pick, so you can size the tips before it arrives.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 5 pressure washer nozzle colors?
Red is 0 degrees, yellow is 15 degrees, green is 25 degrees, white is 40 degrees, and black is the low pressure soap nozzle. The narrower the angle, the more force on a smaller area.
Which pressure washer nozzle is the strongest?
The red 0 degree tip puts all the force on one spot. Simpson warns it can cut into soft materials, so use it only on hard surfaces and start well away from the surface.
What color nozzle should I use to wash a car?
Apply soap with the black tip, then rinse with the white 40 degree tip, which Simpson recommends for painted and delicate surfaces. Keep the wand well back from the paint.
What do the degrees on a pressure washer nozzle mean?
The degrees are the width of the spray fan. A 0 degree tip makes a pencil stream, while a 40 degree tip spreads the same water over a wider strip, so it hits each spot with less force.
Can I use a bigger nozzle on my pressure washer?
Yes, a larger size lowers the pressure, which is safe for the pump but cleans less hard. A smaller size than the pump needs raises the pressure above its rating, so stay with the size the calculator gives or one size larger.
Sources
- Simpson, Choosing the proper nozzle for the task at hand
- General Pump, Nozzle chart (PDF)