Choosing the right air hose coupling is essential for getting the most out of your pneumatic tools and equipment. Whether you’re a home owner looking to power up your nail gun, or an industrial professional trying to set up an entire factory, you’ll need the right connectors and fittings to get the job done.

Air hoses can be grouped into two categories: standard air hoses and special hoses. Both types offer a high internal diameter (ID) for maximum air transfer, but different sizes of hoses can handle pressure differently.
There are several options for connecting a hose to your compressor, including threaded connections and quick disconnects. Most hoses are designed to work with a National Pipe Thread (NPT), while quick connects are often used on air cylinders and pumps.

A common type of quick-connect for connecting hoses and tools to compressors is an industrial interchange quick-connect or Milton M, also known as Mil-Spec. These fittings fit industrial interchange plugs, which are available in a variety of pipe sizes and barbed hose IDs.
In addition to industrial interchange couplings, you’ll find a variety of other multipurpose quick-connect air couplings. These include Asian-style and global-style high-flow couplings that increase flow for greater tool efficiency, reduce pressure drop, and decrease air costs.

Sleeve guards prevent accidental disconnection, and many have a retracting sleeve that prevents leakage from a tool or hose when the coupling is disconnected. There are also nipple and link couplings that close themselves, and manifolds and multilinks that allow you to insert multiple nipples into one block for fast connection.