Updated: 2 September 2026
Hydraulic Hose Pressure Ratings Explained: Working Pressure, Burst Pressure, PSI & Bar
Hydraulic hose pressure ratings indicate the pressure conditions a hose is designed to withstand when correctly specified, assembled and installed.
The most important figure for normal machine operation is the hose’s maximum working pressure. Burst pressure is a test-related value and should never be treated as an allowable operating pressure.
Correct hose selection also needs to consider hose size, fittings, fluid compatibility, temperature, impulse conditions, bend radius and routing.
For a broader guide to hose construction and applications, visit our hydraulic hoses comprehensive guide.
Quick Answer:
What is a hydraulic hose pressure rating? It is the pressure capability assigned to a hose for a specified application and hose series. The working pressure is the figure used for normal operating selection. Burst pressure is a laboratory test value used to assess hose performance and should not be used as a normal operating limit.
What Is a Hydraulic Hose Working Pressure?
The working pressure is the maximum pressure the hose is intended to withstand during normal service when used within the manufacturer’s specified conditions.
This pressure rating is commonly shown in:
- PSI – pounds per square inch
- bar – commonly used across European hydraulic systems
- MPa – megapascals
When selecting a replacement hose, the working-pressure requirement should be confirmed from the machine, hydraulic circuit or hose manufacturer’s specification rather than estimated from appearance.
Working Pressure vs Burst Pressure
Working Pressure
The maximum pressure intended for normal operation under the manufacturer’s specified conditions.
Burst Pressure
A test-related pressure used to verify hose performance under controlled conditions. It is not an allowable service pressure.
Important
Never select or operate a hydraulic hose using its burst pressure as the working limit. The hose should be selected using its specified working-pressure rating and the requirements of the hydraulic system.
Why Hydraulic Hose Pressure Ratings Matter
Hydraulic hoses can be exposed to high static pressure, repeated pressure cycles and short-duration pressure peaks.
If a hose is incorrectly specified, the assembly may be exposed to loads it was not designed to withstand.
Correct pressure selection helps:
- Reduce the risk of hose failure
- Maintain reliable hydraulic operation
- Protect surrounding components
- Support correct hose and fitting selection
- Reduce avoidable downtime
- Ensure the hose suits the machine duty
What Are Pressure Spikes and Impulse Loads?
Hydraulic systems do not always operate at one perfectly steady pressure.
Rapid valve movement, sudden load changes and repeated machine cycles can create temporary pressure peaks or impulse loads.
A hose should therefore be selected for the actual application and duty cycle rather than simply matching an average pressure reading.
Pressure Rating Alone Is Not Enough
A hose may have an adequate published working pressure but still be unsuitable if its size, impulse capability, temperature range, bend radius, fluid compatibility or coupling system does not match the application.
PSI, Bar & MPa Explained
PSI
Pounds per square inch. Commonly used in hydraulic and mobile-equipment specifications.
Bar
A metric pressure unit widely used in UK and European hydraulic systems.
MPa
Megapascal. Another metric pressure unit frequently found in technical documentation and hose specifications.
Useful Hydraulic Pressure Conversions
| Pressure | Approx. Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 bar | 14.5 PSI |
| 10 bar | 145 PSI |
| 100 bar | 1,450 PSI |
| 1 MPa | 10 bar / approximately 145 PSI |
Where Do You Find the Hose Pressure Rating?
Most hydraulic hoses have printed information along the outer cover, often called the hose layline.
Depending on the hose series, the layline may show:
- Manufacturer name
- Hose series
- Nominal size
- Applicable standard
- Working-pressure information
- PSI, bar or MPa values
- Manufacturing or batch information
If the markings have become worn or unreadable, the hose should be identified from the machine specification, hose construction and fitting details rather than guessed.
See our hydraulic hose layline guide for more information.
Does Hydraulic Hose Pressure Rating Change With Hose Size?
It can.
Pressure capability depends on hose construction, reinforcement, hose series and nominal bore.
Within some hose families, larger bore sizes may have different working-pressure ratings from smaller sizes. This is one reason the exact hose series and size should be checked rather than assuming that every hose within a family carries the same pressure rating.
For hose bore identification, see our hydraulic hose sizes guide.
Pressure Ratings & Hydraulic Hose Types
Different hydraulic hose constructions are designed for different pressure and operating requirements.
Wire-Braid Hose
Common in many general hydraulic applications, with specifications varying by hose series and size.
Spiral-Reinforced Hose
Used where the application requires heavy-duty pressure and impulse performance.
Compact Hose
Designed to provide hydraulic performance with a smaller outside diameter or tighter routing capability in suitable applications.
Application-Specific Hose
Some machines require hose with particular pressure, temperature, abrasion, impulse or fluid-compatibility characteristics.
What About 2SN, 4SP & 4SH Hydraulic Hose?
Terms such as 2SN, 4SP and 4SH describe particular hydraulic hose constructions and standards, but they should not be treated as universal pressure values.
The working pressure depends on the actual hose specification and bore size.
For example:
- 2SN hose typically uses two wire-braid reinforcement layers
- 4SP hose uses multiple spiral reinforcement layers for demanding hydraulic applications
- 4SH hose is also a spiral-reinforced hose intended for high-pressure applications within its specified ratings
Always check the manufacturer’s pressure table for the exact hose series and size being installed.
Should You Automatically Fit a Higher-Pressure Hose?
No. A hose with a higher published working pressure is not automatically the best replacement.
The replacement also needs to match:
- Internal diameter
- Required flow
- Fitting and coupling system
- Bend radius
- Temperature
- Fluid compatibility
- Impulse requirements
- Routing space
- Machine movement
An unnecessarily heavy or stiff hose can create routing and bend-radius problems even though its pressure rating is higher.
Correct Specification Beats Maximum Specification
The objective is not to install the hose with the highest pressure rating available. It is to install a correctly specified hose assembly that safely matches the machine’s pressure, flow, fittings, movement and operating environment.
Common Hydraulic Hose Pressure-Rating Mistakes
- Selecting hose using burst pressure instead of working pressure
- Choosing hose by appearance alone
- Ignoring pressure spikes and impulse duty
- Assuming all sizes in one hose family have the same rating
- Ignoring temperature effects and manufacturer limitations
- Using incompatible hose and coupling components
- Ignoring bend radius and routing
- Fitting an unnecessarily stiff hose because it has a higher rating
- Replacing a failed hose without investigating the cause
Can a Hydraulic Hose Fail Below Its Rated Working Pressure?
Yes. Pressure rating is only one part of hose reliability.
A hose may still fail prematurely due to:
- Severe abrasion
- Incorrect bend radius
- Twisting
- Damaged reinforcement
- Incorrect fittings or crimping
- Excessive temperature
- Chemical incompatibility
- Poor routing
- Age and environmental deterioration
Read our hydraulic hose failure causes guide for more detail.
How Do You Choose the Correct Hydraulic Hose Pressure Rating?
01 — IDENTIFY SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Determine the machine’s normal operating conditions and relevant maximum pressure requirements.
02 — IDENTIFY THE HOSE
Check hose series, size, layline and manufacturer data where available.
03 — CHECK THE APPLICATION
Consider impulse cycles, temperature, fluid, routing, bend radius and environmental conditions.
04 — MATCH THE COUPLINGS
Use a hose and coupling system that is approved as compatible for the selected hose.
05 — VERIFY BEFORE INSTALLATION
Where identification or pressure requirements are uncertain, confirm the specification before assembling or installing the replacement hose.
Need Help Identifying the Correct Hydraulic Hose?
Need Hose Identification?
We can help identify hose markings, size, fitting type and pressure requirements.
Machine Already Down?
Our mobile hydraulic engineers provide on-site hydraulic hose replacement and emergency support.
Get Priority Hydraulic Support & Trade Pricing
Jump the queue. Reduce downtime. Pay less for parts, labour and callouts.
✔ Priority response
✔ Lower rates day & night
✔ Trade discounts on parts
✔ 30-day credit terms (approved accounts)
Related Hydraulic Hose Guides
- Hydraulic Hoses Comprehensive Guide
- Hydraulic Hose Sizes Explained
- Hydraulic Hose Layline Explained
- Hydraulic Hose Routing Guide
- Hydraulic Hose Bend Radius Explained
- Hydraulic Hose Protection Guide
- Hydraulic Hose Failure Causes & Prevention
- Hydraulic Hose Inspection Checklist
Hydraulic Hose Repair Coverage
- Hydraulic Hose Repair London
- Hydraulic Hose Repair Essex
- Hydraulic Hose Repair Kent
- Hydraulic Hose Repair Heathrow
- Mobile Hydraulic Support
Not Sure Which Hydraulic Oil You Need?
Some machines require specialist or OEM-specific hydraulic oil. Using the wrong oil can cause serious damage.
Check Your Oil NowNeed Help Choosing the Correct Hydraulic Hose?
If you are unsure about hose pressure ratings, size, markings, fittings or replacement specification, Completely Hydraulic can help identify the correct hose assembly.
Hydraulic Hose Pressure Rating FAQs
What does hydraulic hose working pressure mean?
Working pressure is the maximum pressure a hydraulic hose is intended to withstand during normal operation when used within the manufacturer’s specified conditions.
What is burst pressure on a hydraulic hose?
Burst pressure is a test-related value used to verify hose performance under controlled conditions. It is not the pressure at which a hose should normally be operated.
Should I choose a hydraulic hose based on PSI or bar?
PSI and bar are simply different pressure units. What matters is that the hose’s working-pressure rating meets the hydraulic system requirement when expressed in the same units.
Can the wrong pressure rating cause hydraulic hose failure?
Yes. A hose with an inadequate working-pressure rating may be exposed to loads beyond its intended capability. Hose failure can also result from routing, abrasion, heat, incorrect fittings and other installation or operating conditions.
Is a higher-pressure hydraulic hose always better?
No. The correct hose should satisfy the pressure requirement while also matching the hose bore, fittings, bend radius, temperature, fluid, impulse duty and routing requirements of the machine.
Can a hydraulic hose fail below its rated pressure?
Yes. Damage from abrasion, excessive heat, twisting, poor routing, incorrect bend radius, incompatible fittings or deterioration can cause failure even when system pressure is below the hose’s nominal working-pressure rating.
Does hose size affect hydraulic hose pressure rating?
It can. Working-pressure ratings may vary by hose series and bore size, so the exact manufacturer’s specification should be checked for the hose being installed.
What is the difference between working pressure and pressure spikes?
Working pressure describes the intended normal operating capability of the hose. Hydraulic systems can also experience short-duration pressure peaks and repeated impulse cycles, which must be considered when specifying hose for the application.