Pressure Washer Nozzle Guide: Colors, Degrees and What Each Is For
Quick answer: Lowe’s lists 0 degree red as the most concentrated, 15 degree yellow for heavy-duty cleaning, 25 degree green for general cleaning, 40 degree white for delicate surfaces and 65 degree black for applying soap. Colors vary by brand, so check your manual.
Last updated: October 2026. The nozzle changes spray angle, and a narrower angle means more concentrated force. Choosing the wrong one can etch wood or strip paint. This guide uses Lowe’s, Pressure King, Giraffe Tools and Home Depot. Colors and distances vary by brand, so check your manual and test a hidden area before you start.
What does each nozzle do?
| Nozzle | Color (Lowe’s) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0 degree | Red | Most concentrated; small areas and tough stains |
| 15 degree | Yellow | Heavy-duty cleaning |
| 25 degree | Green | General cleaning |
| 40 degree | White | Delicate surfaces |
| 65 degree | Black | Soap application |
What does Pressure King add?
- 0 degree: small areas and tough stains. Avoid vehicle paint, wood, vinyl siding and soft materials.
- 15 degree: concrete and industrial surfaces. Test first and keep your distance.
- 25 degree: driveways, buildings and sidewalks.
- 40 degree: vehicles and painted surfaces, which it calls the safest choice for automotive.
- Black soap nozzle: a very wide, low-pressure pattern for detergent pre-treatment.
- Turbo (rotating) nozzle: helps with heavy stains but needs caution on delicate surfaces.
Are the colors the same on every brand?
No. Giraffe Tools, a vendor, labels the 15 degree nozzle orange rather than yellow. Check the degree number printed on the tip rather than relying on color.
How far should you hold the nozzle?
Pressure King gives no exact distances and advises testing a small area first. Giraffe Tools says to keep a 40 degree nozzle 12 to 24 inches from the surface. Bob Vila advises 18 inches or more when pressure exceeds 3,000 PSI.
Which nozzle for which surface?
| Surface | Nozzle | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Car | 40 degree | Wide and gentle |
| Driveway | 25 or 15 degree | Or a surface cleaner |
| Deck or fence | 25 degree | Stay back on soft wood |
| Brick | Low-pressure nozzle | Home Depot says do not use the high-pressure tip |
| Siding | 40 degree | Rinse top down |
What does Home Depot advise?
Use a low-pressure nozzle for detergent and a high-pressure nozzle for rinsing. Do not use the high-pressure nozzle on brick. Test in a hidden spot before you start.
What is a turbo nozzle?
A turbo nozzle spins a narrow jet in a cone. It cleans faster than a fixed tip but concentrates force, and Bob Vila’s Greenworks review notes a turbo nozzle can be too harsh for paint. Keep it for concrete and tough stains.
How do you change nozzles safely?
- Release the trigger and engage the trigger lock.
- Turn off the machine and squeeze the trigger to depressurize.
- Pull back the quick-connect collar and swap the tip.
- Make sure the tip clicks into place.
- Test on a hidden area before you begin.
Why does the nozzle change how the water feels?
The pump sets PSI and GPM, but a narrower tip concentrates the same flow onto a smaller spot. That is why a zero degree nozzle can cut into wood while a 40 degree tip feels gentle on the hand. Read our PSI vs GPM guide to see how force and flow work together.
Related guides
See our PSI guide, how-to guide and safety guide. Replacement guns and tips are covered in our guns and wands guide.
Common mistakes
Using the zero degree tip up close, skipping a test spot and forgetting to switch to the soap nozzle for detergent are the usual errors. Start wide and work narrower only if needed. Keep spare tips in a labelled box so you do not lose them.
What is the right order of nozzles for a full wash?
- Pre-rinse with a 40 degree nozzle to remove loose dirt.
- Switch to the black soap nozzle and apply detergent from the bottom up.
- Let the soap dwell for the time on the label, without letting it dry.
- Rinse with a 25 degree or 40 degree tip, working from top to bottom.
- Use a 15 degree tip only on concrete stains, and test first.
This sequence follows Home Depot’s advice to use a low-pressure nozzle for detergent and a high-pressure nozzle for rinsing, combined with the surface guidance above.
Which nozzle should a beginner buy first?
Most machines ship with a set. If you need to buy, start with the 25 degree and 40 degree tips, which cover most household jobs, and add the soap nozzle for detergent. Save the zero degree tip for rare spot work and treat it with respect.
Frequently asked questions
What does the green nozzle do?
Lowe’s lists the green 25 degree nozzle for general cleaning.
Which nozzle is safest for cars?
Pressure King calls the 40 degree nozzle the safest choice for automotive use.
What nozzle applies soap?
The black 65 degree soap nozzle is a low-pressure tip for detergent.
Are nozzle colors standard?
No. Colors vary by brand, so check the degree number.
Final verdict
Start with the widest nozzle and move narrower only if needed. Match the tip to the surface and test a hidden spot first.
Sources: Lowe’s, pressure washer nozzle guide; Pressure King, nozzle chart; Giraffe Tools, nozzle guide; Home Depot, pressure washer tips. Related: What PSI you need, Pressure washer safety, How to use a foam cannon.
