Filter Cartridge Size Guide: Will It Fit My Housing?
Short answer. A cartridge fits a housing when three things match: the cartridge diameter family (2.5 in, 4.5 in jumbo or 133 mm), the length, and the end style (double open end, DOE). The "10 in" or "20 in" in a name is a nominal length, so measure the real cartridge before you order. The housing's port size (for example 1 in NPT) has nothing to do with which cartridge fits.
The three cartridge sizes we make housings for
| Cartridge family | Outside diameter | Lengths we stock | Housings that take it | Will not fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 in standard | 60 mm ±1 mm (centre hole 30 mm ±2 mm) | 5, 10, 20 in | Threaded with drain, flat bottom, clamp 1.5 mm, clamp 2.0 mm; slim 76 mm body in 10 in only | Jumbo and large-bore housings (the cartridge will not seal) |
| 4.5 in jumbo | 102 mm ±1 mm (centre hole 30 mm ±2 mm) | 10, 20, 30 in | Jumbo clamp housing | 2.5 in housings; the 133 mm large-bore housing |
| 133 mm large-bore | 133 mm | 20, 30 in | Large-bore housing with 2.5 in ports | Jumbo housing |
60 mm and 102 mm cartridges can look alike in photos. Check the outside diameter, not the picture, before you order.
Our jumbo housing takes 4.5 in DOE cartridges, 102 mm ±1 mm across. Check the length and the ends of the cartridge you use.
Why "2.5 in" can mean two different things
On a cartridge, 2.5 in is the nominal diameter family. On our large-bore housing, 2.5 in is the pipe port. That housing takes 133 mm cartridges, not 2.5 in cartridges.
Will a 10-inch DOE cartridge fit?
Yes, in our 2.5 in housings ordered in the 10 in length, if your cartridge is in the 2.5 in family (60 mm ±1 mm across) and has two open ends. Nominal 10 in cartridges are often a little shorter than 10 in (around 9¾ in is common), so measure yours and send us the length if you are unsure.
If your cartridge is wider than 61 mm, check the slim 76 mm body especially carefully: it is narrower than our 89 mm threaded housings.
DOE and SOE cartridges
- DOE (double open end): open at both ends, sealed by the housing's head and bottom. Our housings and our stainless mesh cartridges use DOE.
- SOE (single open end) cartridges with 222 or 226 O-ring plugs need a matching socket. If your cartridge is SOE, send us a photo and measurements before ordering.
How to measure your cartridge
- Outside diameter, in mm.
- Inside diameter of the centre hole, in mm.
- Overall length including any end gaskets, in mm.
- Both ends: flat open, flat closed, or with O-rings and fin.
- If you are replacing the housing too: inlet and outlet size and thread (NPT or BSP).
Send the numbers and a photo to alicia@ssfilterhousing.com or through our quote form and we will tell you which housing or cartridge fits.
Ports, threads and clamps
- NPT (US) and BSP/G (UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand) are different threads. They can look alike but do not seal reliably with each other. Order the one that matches your pipework.
- A clamp lid is how the housing opens. It does not mean the housing has tri-clamp ports. Our 2.5 in clamp housings have threaded ports.
- On the jumbo housing, tri-clamp ferrules are sized by ferrule outside diameter: 50.5 mm for 1.5 in TC hardware, 64 mm for 2 in, 77.5 mm for 2.5 in.
Seals and spare parts
Each new housing ships with one head gasket installed. Replacement gaskets for 2.5 in housings come in silicone, EPDM, FKM and PTFE: 2.5 in head gasket, jumbo head gasket. Not sure which you have? Send a photo of the old gasket.
FAQ
Will a 20 x 4.5 in cartridge fit a 20 in standard housing?
No. A 4.5 in jumbo cartridge needs the jumbo housing.
Will your stainless mesh cartridge fit my housing from another brand?
It may, if the housing takes 2.5 in DOE cartridges of the same length. Compare the outside diameter (60 mm ±1 mm) and the length with your current cartridge first.
Does the housing include a cartridge?
No. Cartridges are sold separately: 2.5 in stainless mesh cartridges and jumbo and 133 mm mesh cartridges.
Can you check a cartridge or part I already have?
Yes. Send the measurements above and a photo. We also make custom strainers and cartridges to drawings; include your quantity and destination.
Browse stainless steel filter housings · Browse cartridges and bags