What Size String Trimmer Line Should You Use?

Which String Trimmer Line Should I Use?

When it comes to keeping a lawn neat and tidy, the string trimmer shines as a multi-purpose workhorse. Depending on the application, one could use it to mow down hard-to-access areas, trim up grass and weeds that a mower can’t quite reach, clear out thicker brush, and edge out lines for a cleaner-looking yard. So, what size string trimmer line should you use for trimming grass?

The answer lies with how you intend to use your string trimmer. Read on.

The Role of the String Trimmer Head

Which String Trimmer Line Should I Use?

Generally speaking, a string trimmer uses a monofilament line to cut through grass, weeds…whatever. By spinning that line at a high speed, the cutting head generates enough centrifugal force to hold the line out at a stiff, horizontal angle. This lets it cut through most grasses quite easily.

The height and arc of the string trimmer are manually adjusted by the operator, making the trimmer quite useful for cutting around trees, walls, rock beds, etc. In addition, you can turn a string trimmer vertically to use it as an edger against sidewalks and driveways.

On many gas models, both the cutting heads and lines can be switched out. This lets them accommodate a variety of line gauges. Not so much with battery-powered models.

Check the user manual (or with your dealer) to see what gauges your cutting head can handle. Thinner spooled line, thicker pre-cut line, serrated and square lines—even blades or chains could be used if you have a strong enough system. Each string trimmer line size also comes in a variety of shapes, thicknesses, and materials.

With that said—which strong trimmer line size and type work best for which applications?

String Trimmer Line Size Means Thickness

This probably comes as no surprise to anyone, but the general rule with string trimmer line size is that the tougher the application, the thicker the line needs to be. A larger diameter line increases the power and durability of the line, which leads to less breakage and wear-out.

Thicker line, however, requires more power to drive it at the same speed.

trimmer line spooled up

String trimmer line comes in a range of thicknesses or sizes. For light work, such as trimming grass, 0.065″-0.085″ should be sufficient. For thicker grass and weeds, a line in the 0.085″-0.110″ range will get the job done, and for thicker underbrush, anything thicker than 0.110″ will work.

One note for the cordless string trimmer users: thicker strings will have an effect on your power and runtime. As the thickness of the line jumps up, more wind resistance affects the cutting head, slowing down the speed at which the engine can rotate the cutting head. Higher voltage and beefier cordless trimmers (see: the EGO Power Head String Trimmer) will probably be able to manage thicker gauge string trimmer line more efficiently, but lower voltage models might struggle with a thicker line. Generally, it’s best to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendation for string size.

String Trimmer Line Shaping

What size string trimmer line should you use?

The shape of the line also affects the cutting efficiency. String trimmer line comes in a variety of shapes: round, twisted, square, star shaped, and serrated. Rounded line is the most common type available, but it because it lacks a cutting edge, it rips the grass rather than cutting it. Twisted line is a bit better, as the shape has a little more of a cutting edge to it.

Some line comes in a square or star shape. The edges of these string trimmer lines are sharper than rounded trimmer line, and cut through the grass rather than tear at it. Serrated line is also an option when it comes to a sharper trimmer line. It has teeth, similar to a kitchen knife, and “saws” through heavier grass and weeds with relative ease.

Check Out These Stihl Trimmer Line Options

As an example of how the shape of trimmer line can vary—even from a single manufacturer, check out these options Stihl has for its customers:

The shape of the line optimizes it for different applications. Some shapes are only available in certain diameters. Others come in a wider variety. Trimmer line can be formulated to resist fraying and splitting or for durability, noise reduction, strength, and temperature resistance.

String Trimmer Line Material

Nylon line is the most common line available, but it tends to wear out and break quickly on anything but lighter duty jobs. Manufacturers have come out with a variety of alternatives for heavier duty jobs, however. Some examples include reinforced composite nylon, internally reinforced nylon, and aluminum additives for added strength.

Forget replacing line—try a trimmer blade!

Although not line in the technical sense, some of the beefier string trimmers can work with nylon, or even metal, blades. All of these options improve the durability of the light gauge nylon string, but if the vast majority of your trimming work centers on light grass clipping, you can probably get by with inexpensive nylon line.

Final Thoughts

So, what type of string trimmer line size should you use? The easiest answer: probably the heaviest and sharpest gauge that my trimmer can effectively turn without losing power to wind resistance. Assuming your string trimmer has the power, you won’t lose much cutting efficiency by using a heavier line. When you need to jump over to heavier duty trimming work, that ensures you won’t have to mess around with changing your line to handle it.

For most homeowners, round nylon line probably suffices for the vast majority of simple trimming needs. You might need something heavier for edging and clearing out underbrush. However, for handling grass around the house and yard, light gauge round nylon trimmer line does the trick.

Of course, this assumes normal wear and tear on the line won’t bother you too much. If you want to spend less time re-spooling your cutting head, switching to a more durable material is a good, though pricier, option.

Related articles

Best Riding Lawn Mowers for 2023

There are just too many benefits of riding lawn mowers to mention here, and we’re sure you already know what they are anyway. If you don’t currently enjoy these “luxuries”, then you’re definitely not alone in pining for them in the hot summer sun. So, the staff at OPE has assembled our recommendations for the […]

Best Generator Reviews for 2023

As hurricane season approaches, we receive numerous inquiries about the best generator for various needs and budgets. However, as the hurricane season ends, the winter storm season heats up. It seems that every season can benefit from the use of a great generator. To compile our list of top-rated generators, we assembled a team of […]

Best Electric Pressure Washer Reviews for 2023

From cleaning the driveway to making sure your vinyl siding is mold-free, you want the best electric pressure washer (your) money can buy. Having used so many of these personally, we assembled a list of our favorites. Separated by application and training, we created this list for a variety of use scenarios and needs. If […]

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

16 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
victoria Hughes-Williams

What thickness strimmer line to,use for my oleo mac TR 250 machine

Ken Stephens

Is there a comparison of .o65 lines brand and types

John

I bought a Ryobi One+ 18V lithium 10″ cordless string trimmer/edger and the manual says to only use 0.065 in. line. I have some 0.080 trimmer line from my last trimmer. Can I use the thicker line for this new trimmer despite what the manual says?

Rod Napue

I have a rechargeable battery, number, ni-mh 18v 3600mah ml:hpb18, what weed eater trimmer does this belong to?

Daniel A Salazar

what size thickness trimmer line for craftsman weed eater model#316711190

Mike French

Can anyone suggest how to trim next to chicken wire without cutting through the chicken wire at the same time?

Ian

What is the thickest cord you can use on a stihl fs 40 strimmer

KER65

I inherited a small house out in the countryside, and because I’m not in good health, I generally like to hire out my yardwork. However, that’s been spotty the past 4 or 5 years (has nothing to do with current events, just people around here being less helpful). So last year I bought some Ryobi cordless tools, including a 13″ 18v. weed eater. I just ran out its original spool. It actually has written on it what to use as replacement, but it still allows for options – either .065 round, .065 twisted, or .080 twisted. We have bad weeds… Read more »

16
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x