JIC Fitting Pressure Rating by Size
SAE J514 lists 5,000 psi for small rigid JIC fittings, falling to 1,500 psi at -32, with lower values for swivels. Ratings vary by maker and material.
Last updated October 30, 2026. Reference values; verify against manufacturer specifications.
SAE J514 gives working pressures for 37° flare fittings that fall as the size goes up: 5,000 psi for rigid -2 to -6 fittings, down to 1,500 psi at -32. Swivel nuts and adjustable port studs carry lower ratings than rigid ends of the same size. These are published guide values, not guaranteed limits, and manufacturers rate their own parts higher or lower depending on shape and material. This page shows the SAE values, one manufacturer's ratings for comparison, and where published tables disagree.
The short answer
- Small sizes (-2 to -6): 5,000 psi for rigid ends; 4,000–5,000 psi for swivels.
- Mid sizes (-8 to -16): 3,000–4,500 psi rigid; 2,500–4,000 psi swivel.
- Large sizes (-20 to -32): 1,500–2,500 psi rigid; about 1,100–2,000 psi swivel.
- A connection is only as strong as its weakest part. Use the lowest rating among the fitting ends, the tube or hose and any adapter.
SAE J514 working pressures by size
| Dash | Thread | Tube ends, unions, bulkheads (psi) | (MPa) | Female swivels and adjustable studs (psi) | (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -2 | 5/16-24 | 5,000 | 34.5 | 5,000 | 34.5 |
| -3 | 3/8-24 | 5,000 | 34.5 | 5,000 | 34.5 |
| -4 | 7/16-20 | 5,000 | 34.5 | 4,500 | 31 |
| -5 | 1/2-20 | 5,000 | 34.5 | 4,000 | 27.5 |
| -6 | 9/16-18 | 5,000 | 34.5 | 4,000 | 27.5 |
| -8 | 3/4-16 | 4,500 | 31 | 4,000 | 27.5 |
| -10 | 7/8-14 | 3,500 | 24 | 3,000 | 21 |
| -12 | 1-1/16-12 | 3,500 | 24 | 3,000 | 21 |
| -14 | 1-3/16-12 | 3,000 | 21 | 2,500 | 17 |
| -16 | 1-5/16-12 | 3,000 | 21 | 2,500 | 17 |
| -20 | 1-5/8-12 | 2,500 | 17 | 2,000 | 14 |
| -24 | 1-7/8-12 | 2,000 | 14 | 1,500 | 10.5 |
| -32 | 2-1/2-12 | 1,500 | 10.5 | 1,125 | 8 |
Values as given in Table 1 of SAE J514 (the edition cancelled in November 2024), and as reproduced in the Air-Way pressure ratings reference and the Hose and Fittings JIC pressure chart. All three agree. The ratings are based on a 4:1 minimum burst factor. Air-Way describes them as dynamic ratings tied to an impulse test of one million cycles at 133% of working pressure. MPa values are those printed in the standard, not a conversion of the psi values. The current part, SAE J514/1, gives working pressures in its Table 6; that table was not checked for this page, so confirm against the current edition where it matters.
Why swivels and adjustable studs are rated lower
A rigid tube end, union or bulkhead is machined in one piece. A female swivel adds a separate nut that clamps the seat, and an adjustable port stud adds a locknut, washer and O-ring that hold the fitting at an angle. These joints have more parts that can move under pressure pulses and vibration, so SAE J514 gives them a lower working pressure from -4 upward. At -2 and -3 the two columns are the same.
On a hose assembly, the swivel nut is usually the connection that limits the rating. A -8 hose end with a JIC swivel, for example, is listed at 4,000 psi in the table above, while a rigid -8 tube end is listed at 4,500 psi.
Pipe-thread ends on JIC adapters
Many JIC adapters have a tapered NPTF thread on the other end. SAE J514 lists separate, generally lower, ratings for those threads:
| Pipe size | Thread | Working pressure (psi) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 1/8-27 | 5,000 |
| 1/4 | 1/4-18 | 4,000 |
| 3/8 | 3/8-18 | 3,000 |
| 1/2 | 1/2-14 | 3,000 |
| 3/4 | 3/4-14 | 2,500 |
| 1 | 1-11-1/2 | 2,000 |
| 1-1/4 | 1-1/4-11-1/2 | 1,150 |
| 1-1/2 | 1-1/2-11-1/2 | 1,000 |
| 2 | 2-11-1/2 | 1,000 |
NPTF values from SAE J514 Table 1 (pipe-thread column), as reproduced by Hose and Fittings and Titan Fittings, which agree. The adapter as a whole takes the lower of its two ratings: a -8 JIC × 1/2 NPTF adapter is limited to 3,000 psi by the pipe end, not 4,500 psi by the JIC end.
Manufacturer ratings can be much higher
SAE J514 states that its working pressures are guide values and recommends testing by the user and the fitting maker. Manufacturers publish their own ratings for each part shape and material. Parker's Catalog 4300, for example, rates one Triple-Lok 37° fitting shape (S6X) as follows, with the SAE J514 swivel value alongside for comparison:
| Dash | Steel (psi) | Stainless steel (psi) | Brass (psi) | SAE J514 swivel value (psi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -4 | 7,500 | 7,700 | 3,300 | 4,500 |
| -6 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 3,300 | 4,000 |
| -8 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 3,300 | 4,000 |
| -10 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 3,300 | 3,000 |
| -12 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 3,300 | 3,000 |
| -16 | 4,000 | 3,000 | 2,600 | 2,500 |
| -20 | 4,000 | 3,000 | 2,600 | 2,000 |
| -24 | 3,000 | 2,500 | 2,000 | 1,500 |
Parker values are dynamic ratings printed in thousands of psi in Catalog 4300 for the S6X part series. Other shapes in the same catalog carry different ratings; one bulkhead shape is listed at 7,500 psi at -6, for example. These are one manufacturer's figures for its own parts and are shown only to illustrate the spread.
Two points stand out. Steel and stainless ratings are well above the SAE guide values in most sizes, and brass is far lower than steel, at 3,300 psi or less in every size listed. If a system has brass JIC fittings, the steel figures in any table do not apply.
Where published tables disagree
Most distributor charts copy the SAE J514 table exactly. A few differ in individual cells:
| Size and column | SAE J514 value (psi) | Other published value (psi) | Source of the other value |
|---|---|---|---|
| -14 and -16, rigid ends | 3,000 | 3,050 | Titan Fittings operating pressure chart |
| -20, swivel and adjustable | 2,000 | 1,500 | Titan Fittings operating pressure chart |
| -32, swivel and adjustable | 1,125 | 1,150 | Titan Fittings operating pressure chart |
| -4 to -24, specific shapes | see main table | higher, for example 7,500 at -4 | Parker Catalog 4300 (manufacturer-tested) |
The Titan differences are small and may be rounding or transcription. Titan also notes that its values are based on limited laboratory test data in hardened test blocks. The Parker difference is real: it reflects manufacturer testing of specific parts, not a different reading of the standard. When values conflict, use the rating published for the exact part you have.
What else lowers the safe pressure
- Material: brass and aluminium fittings are rated well below steel.
- Tube: the tube wall and material set their own limit. A thin-wall tube can be weaker than the fitting on it.
- Hose: the hose has its own working pressure printed on the layline, and it is often lower than the fitting rating.
- Pressure spikes: surges can exceed the gauge reading. SAE J517 notes that many common gauges do not show them.
- Assembly: under- or over-tightened joints, damaged seats and mixed seat angles all reduce what a joint can hold. See the JIC torque chart and why JIC fittings leak.
- Temperature and vibration both reduce service life, even when the pressure stays within the rating.
How to use these ratings
- Identify each end of every fitting in the line: JIC, ORB, NPTF and so on. The JIC dash size chart and identification guide help here.
- Look up the rating of each end, using the manufacturer's catalog where you can identify the maker.
- Add the hose or tube rating.
- Take the lowest value as the limit for the line, and compare it with the system's relief valve setting, not just the normal operating pressure.
For the history and current parts of the standard, see SAE J514 explained.
References
SAE J514 (November 2024 edition, cancelled and replaced by SAE J514-1, -2 and -3), Table 1 working pressure ratings, scope and notes; Air-Way Manufacturing, Hydraulic Tube Fittings Pressure Ratings general reference; Hose and Fittings, JIC pressures chart; DF Burnham hydraulic adapters catalog (SAE J514 37° pressure table); Kurt Hydraulics pressure specifications; Titan Fittings, Maximum Operating Pressure for Adapters and Fittings; Parker Hannifin Catalog 4300, Triple-Lok S6X ratings; SAE J517 (surge pressure note). Values are reference only. Always use the rating published for your exact part.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pressure rating of a JIC fitting?
It depends on size and type. SAE J514 lists 5,000 psi for rigid -2 to -6 fittings, falling to 1,500 psi at -32. Swivel nuts are rated lower, for example 4,000 psi at -6 and -8.
Is a -8 JIC rated for 5,000 psi?
Not by the SAE J514 table, which lists 4,500 psi for a rigid -8 end and 4,000 psi for a -8 swivel. Some manufacturers rate their own steel -8 parts higher, so check the catalog for the exact part.
Why are JIC swivel fittings rated lower than rigid fittings?
The separate swivel nut adds a joint that can move under pressure pulses and vibration. SAE J514 rates swivels and adjustable studs below rigid ends from -4 upward.
Are brass JIC fittings rated for the same pressure as steel?
No. Brass is rated much lower. In one Parker catalog, brass 37° fittings are listed at 3,300 psi or less in every size, against 4,000–7,500 psi for steel.
Is the JIC pressure rating a burst pressure?
No. It is a working pressure. The SAE J514 values are based on a minimum burst pressure of four times the working pressure.