Propane Fitting Guide

Propane Fittings: Names, Pictures, and Real Examples

Match the fitting by shape and thread type. Then click into the exact part that fits your setup.

Rules that prevent wrong orders - Flare seals at the flare seat (metal-to-metal). Do not use thread tape on flare connections.
- NPT (pipe thread) seals on the threads (tapered). Use gas-rated sealant on NPT only.
- FNPT means female pipe thread. MNPT means male pipe thread. The number (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) is the pipe size, not the outside thread diameter.
- Quick disconnect parts must match the series/style, not just the pipe thread size.

Tip: Try searching "flare tee", "1/4 MNPT", "Model 250", "stay longer tee", or "inverted flare".

RV Type 1 / ACME

Also called: Type 1, QCC1, ACME handwheel

  • Common on: most modern 20 lb and 30 lb cylinders
  • Look for: large handwheel that tightens by hand
  • Usually used on: pigtail hoses and regulators
tank connectionType 1QCC1
Shop Type 1 ACME
RV Type 1 ACME propane fitting

POL (Put On Left)

Also called: POL, old style tank connection

  • Common on: older regulators and some adapter setups
  • Look for: fitting that threads into internal tank valve threads
  • Often: left-hand thread style
tank valveolder styleinternal
Shop POL
POL propane fitting

Female POL

Also called: POL female (name varies by manufacturer)

  • Used in: specific adapter setups and specialty hoses
  • Best match method: compare to photo and confirm the mating fitting
POL familyadapter use
Shop Female POL
Female POL propane fitting

1 inch 20 (Disposable Cylinder Thread)

Also called: 1 lb bottle thread, 600 swivel

  • Common on: 1 lb bottle adapters, some grills and fire pits
  • Look for: fine straight threads (not tapered)
  • Common mistake: confusing this with pipe thread
1 lb bottlestraight threads
Shop 1-20
1 inch 20 disposable cylinder propane fitting

3/8 Female Flare

Also called: 3/8 flare swivel nut

  • Common on: many RV appliance connectors and propane hoses
  • Look for: swivel nut with a flare seat inside
  • No tape: flare seals at the seat
flareswivel nutno tape
Shop 3/8 flare
3/8 female flare propane fitting

3/8 MNPT (Male Pipe Thread)

Also called: 3/8 male NPT

  • Common on: regulators, manifolds, hard line adapters
  • Look for: tapered threads (tightens as it threads in)
  • Use gas-rated sealant on NPT connections
NPTtaperedsealant
Shop 3/8 MNPT
3/8 MNPT propane fitting

1/4 Male Inverted Flare

Also called: 1/4 inverted flare

  • Common on: RV pigtails and regulator connections
  • Look for: flare seat style connection (not pipe thread)
  • No tape: seals metal-to-metal
inverted flareno tape
Shop inverted flare
1/4 male inverted flare propane fitting

Quick Disconnect End - 1/4 FNPT x 1/4 MNPT

Common confusion: customers call this the quick connect, but it is the coupler end

  • FNPT = female pipe thread side
  • MNPT = male pipe thread side
  • Used on low pressure accessory hookups
quick disconnectFNPTMNPT
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Quick disconnect end 1/4 FNPT x 1/4 MNPT

Female Quick Disconnect (Valve Coupler)

Common confusion: people buy a plug when they need the female valve coupler

  • Female side receives the male plug
  • Used on low pressure accessory ports and hose ends
female QDvalve coupler
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Female quick disconnect valve coupler

Male Quick Disconnect Plug (Model 250)

Common confusion: customers call this a quick connect hose end

  • Plug side snaps into the female coupler
  • Thread side is 1/4 MNPT on this plug
male QD plugModel 250MNPT
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Model 250 male quick disconnect plug

Quick Connector - 3/8 MPT x 3/8 FPT

Common confusion: pipe thread sizes look close but are not interchangeable

  • MPT = male pipe thread
  • FPT = female pipe thread
  • Used to add quick connect convenience to a pipe-threaded setup
quick connectorMPTFPT
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3/8 MPT x 3/8 FPT quick connector

Adapter: 1/4 Male NPT to 1/4 Female Inverted Flare

Common confusion: customers call both ends flare, but only one end is

  • NPT side seals on threads (use gas-rated sealant)
  • Inverted flare seals at the seat (no tape)
  • Common on regulators and pigtail setups
NPT to inverted flarecommon adapter
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1/4 male NPT to 1/4 female inverted flare adapter

Stay Longer Tee with POL

Common confusion: customers think this is a hose, but it is a tank tee adapter

  • Used to add an extra connection point at the tank
  • Often part of extend-a-stay style setups
POLtank tee
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Stay longer tee with POL fitting

Flare Nut - 3/8

Common confusion: people think the nut is the whole fitting

  • Used on flare tubing connections
  • Flare seals at the seat, not on threads
flare3/8
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Brass flare nut 3/8

Forged Flare Nut - 3/8

Common confusion: looks similar to a standard flare nut, but is a different part listing

  • Still a flare connection (seat seal)
  • Do not use thread tape
forgedflare3/8
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Brass forged flare nut 3/8

Flare Tee - 3/8

Common confusion: customers buy a pipe tee when they need a flare tee

  • All three ports are flare style
  • Used to split a flare line into two
flare tee3/8
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Brass flare tee 3/8

Flare Union - 3/8

Common confusion: union vs coupling vs adapter

  • Joins two flare connections together
  • Easy to disassemble and reassemble
flare union3/8
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Brass flare union 3/8

Tee: Flare to MPT Threads - 3/8 x 3/8 x 3/8

Common confusion: customers expect all ports to be flare

  • One port is pipe thread (MPT), others are flare
  • Used when one branch needs pipe-threaded equipment
flareMPTtee
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Tee flare to MPT threads 3/8 x 3/8 x 3/8

Half Union Elbow: Male Pipe Thread to Male Flare - 3/8 x 1/2

Common confusion: customers buy a pipe elbow when they need one side flare

  • Pipe thread side seals on threads
  • Flare side seals at the seat
  • Great for tight spaces and clean routing
elbowNPT to flaretight space
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Half union elbow 3/8 x 1/2 male pipe thread to male flare