What Size Trimmer Line Should I Use?
Use the line diameter your trimmer head is designed to handle. Check the manual or head label first; common sizes include 0.065, 0.080, and 0.095 inch, but thicker line can overload a head that isn't built for it.
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Use the line diameter your trimmer head is designed to handle. Check the manual or head label first; common sizes include 0.065, 0.080, and 0.095 inch, but thicker line can overload a head that isn't built for it.
The right size depends on the tool's limits, the head, and the work. This string trimmer line size chart gives a quick starting point, then the sections below explain how to confirm fit before you reload.
What size trimmer line should I use?
Use the largest diameter your manual or trimmer head explicitly allows, not the largest line you can push through the eyelet. A thicker line may seem stronger, but it can fail to feed or place extra load on a head that wasn't designed for it.
| Common diameter | A practical starting point |
|---|---|
| 0.065 in | Light trimming and compatible small trimmers |
| 0.080 in | A common general-purpose size when the tool allows it |
| 0.095 in | Heavier line for compatible heads and tools |
These are general patterns, not universal rules. Check the model's manual for its approved line size and any limits on line shape.
Does a string trimmer line size chart tell me what fits?
A string trimmer line size chart helps you compare common diameters, but your exact model's instructions decide what fits. Two trimmers that look similar may use different heads or have different line limits.
Find the tool's model number and look up its manual or manufacturer support page. If a spool or head label gives a diameter, confirm that it matches the trimmer's instructions before loading it.
How do line diameter and yard conditions affect the choice?
Line diameter can affect how a trimmer cuts and feeds, but yard conditions don't override the head's limit. Choose among the approved sizes based on the grass and weeds you handle.
For light edging and regular grass, a smaller approved line may be enough. Taller or thicker growth can call for a larger allowed size, but use a brush blade or a different tool if your manual says line isn't suitable for the job.
Our guide to cutting tall grass and weeds with a string trimmer covers when to work in passes and when growth may be too dense for ordinary line trimming.
DEWALT's line is a fit to consider only for a head that accepts 0.080 inch. The 225 ft length makes it an option for someone who wants line on a spool rather than pre-cut pieces.
Don't buy it just because 0.080 inch is common. Confirm the diameter in your manual, then check whether your head takes bulk line or needs a specific spool.
EGO says this line is compatible with all EGO POWER+ string trimmers and the STA1500 attachment, and it is designed for heads that handle .095-inch line. It comes pre-cut, which avoids measuring a length from a bulk spool.
Choose it only if your trimmer accepts that diameter. A brand match alone doesn't confirm that every replacement head or aftermarket head on a tool takes the same size.
How do I check the line size for my trimmer?
Check the manual, the trimmer head, and the old line package before buying. Use the manual as the final guide if those sources disagree.
- Find the trimmer's model number on its label.
- Look up the manual or manufacturer support page for that model.
- Check the head for a line-size marking.
- Match the line diameter and type the manual specifies.
- Reload a small amount and confirm the head feeds as described.
If you can't identify the model or head, contact the manufacturer with those details. Avoid guessing based on the line's color, shape, or what fits through a hole.
Can I use round, twisted, or shaped line?
Use a line shape the manual allows for your head. Round line is common, while twisted or other shaped line may be intended for compatible heads and tools.
The EGO option above is twisted 0.095-inch line. That shape doesn't make it suitable for a head limited to a smaller diameter.
Why does trimmer line size matter?
The wrong diameter can cause fit and feeding problems. If line is too thick, it may not feed through the head as intended; if it is too thin for the head's design, it may wear or break sooner.
Follow the head's line-loading directions and avoid overfilling it. If line keeps breaking after you confirm the size and loading method, see why weed eater string keeps breaking for other common causes.
For a battery model, the tool and line also need to suit the work you expect to do. Compare gas and battery string trimmers if you're weighing power sources.
Should I buy trimmer line or a new trimmer?
Buy replacement line when your current head fits the approved diameter and feeds properly. Consider another trimmer if your tool can't handle the work or replacement line for its head is difficult to find.
The EGO Power+ ST1511T uses professional-grade 0.095 inch line and has a 15-inch cutting swath. EGO describes its head as using POWERLOAD technology, which winds line after you feed it through and press a button.
This is a cordless option to consider if you want to keep your choice within the EGO 56V battery platform. Check the manual for line requirements and make sure its size fits your yard and the work you plan to do.
The WORX WG163 is a 20V trimmer and edger that uses 0.065 inch line. Its smaller stated diameter gives you another example of why line sizes vary from one tool to another.
It converts between trimming and edging, and its head tilts 90 degrees. Those features don't change the replacement line size: use 0.065 inch line as specified for this model.
For more tool features and tradeoffs, see our string trimmer buying guide. If you are deciding between battery voltages, our 40V vs 20V trimmer guide explains what voltage can and can't tell you.
What should I do if the line won't feed?
If line won't feed, stop and check the diameter, spool winding, and head instructions. Don't pull hard or force oversized line through the head.
Turn the tool off and remove its battery or disconnect its power source before inspecting the head. Clear grass and debris, then reload the line as the manual directs.
If the same correctly sized line continues to jam or break, the spool may be wound incorrectly or the head may be damaged. Check the manual's troubleshooting steps before replacing parts.
Which trimmer line size should I choose?
Choose the diameter approved for your exact head, then consider yard conditions among the allowed options. Use 0.065 inch for a compatible tool that calls for it, 0.080 inch where the manual permits it, and 0.095 inch only for a head designed for that size.
Pick the DEWALT 0.080 inch line if your tool accepts it and you want a 225 ft spool. Pick EGO's pre-cut 0.095 inch line if you have a compatible EGO tool or a head built for that diameter.
For line that keeps breaking, check the size and loading method before changing tools. If the trimmer itself is due for replacement, start with our string trimmer buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size trimmer line should I use?
Use the diameter approved for your trimmer head, which you can find in the manual or on the head. Common sizes are 0.065, 0.080, and 0.095 inch, but the largest size isn't automatically best.
A line that is too thick may not feed or fit correctly.
Is 0.080 or 0.095 trimmer line better?
Neither size is better for every trimmer. Choose 0.080 inch if your head allows it and you need a common general-purpose size; choose 0.095 inch only when the head is made for that diameter and your work calls for it.
The head's limit comes first.
Can I use thicker trimmer line than recommended?
Don't use thicker line than the head or trimmer manual allows. It can fail to fit or feed, and a thicker line can put extra load on the tool.
If you can't find the manual, check the manufacturer's support information for your exact model before buying line.
How do I know what size trimmer line I have?
Check the package label or measure a clean piece with a ruler or caliper. Line can be hard to measure accurately when stretched or worn, so use the spool label as a clue and confirm the allowed diameter in your trimmer manual before reloading.
