How To Measure Your Bong Joint Size & Gender

• Make sure to measure the joint size of your bong and all related parts, such as cone pieces, downstems, bangers, and ash catchers, before buying.
• Determining the dimensions of your bong and its components is a quick and simple task that can be completed in under a minute using a ruler.
• The bong joint facilitates smoke travel, passing through the cone piece, downstem, and water before rising through the mouthpiece for inhalation.

It's essential to measure the joint size of your bong and parts such as cone pieces, downstems, bangers and ash catchers before you make a purchase.

Measuring the joint size of your bong and its parts is a straightforward process that can be down with a ruler in less than one minute.

In this article, we explain the different types of joints, the proper way to measure them and how to choose the right accessories for your bong.

A bong joint is a crucial component of your bong that secures the downstem and cone piece, connecting them to the water in the primary chamber of the bong.

This integration is commonly known as a 'joint' since it combines the two elements together.

Typically, joints can be obtained in multiple sizes to accommodate standard accessory measurements, such as 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm.

In a bong, the joint plays a crucial role in ensuring a seamless smoking experience.

This mighty component allows the smoke to travel from the cone piece, through the downstem, and into the water before rising through the mouthpiece for inhalation.

To prevent splashes, the joint is often situated at a slight angle. Moreover, it's crafted to fit snugly with the downstem, which ensures that no air leaks occur, allowing efficient airflow and guaranteeing a smooth smoking experience.

Understanding the importance of bong joint shapes, specifically the male and female joints, is vital for ensuring compatibility, functionality, and safety when using different attachments with a bong or water pipe.

This comprehensive guide aims to explain in detail the significance of these joint shapes, allowing for a smooth and pleasurable smoking experience. Let's delve into the intricacies of bong joint shapes:

Male Joints

• Compatibility: When you pair a male-jointed attachment with a female-jointed bong, you can achieve a connection that is both secure and airtight.
• Functionality: The male joint is designed to ensure that the attachment fits snugly in the bong, enhancing the overall smoking experience and preventing any wobbling or air leaks.
• Safety: By creating a stable and secure connection, the male joint helps to minimise the risk of accidental breakage or damage.

Female Joints

• Compatibility: By ensuring a suitable match, it reduces the chances of encountering incompatibility problems and guarantees tight connections.
• Functionality: The female joint enables the attachment to fulfill its intended purpose, resulting in a smooth and productive smoking session.
• Safety: It minimises the risk of the attachment becoming loose while in use, creating a safer environment for smoking.

All joints on bongs and bong parts such as cone pieces, downstems, bangers and ash catchers are classified with a gender – male or female.

The difference between a male joint and female joint is that the male joint tapers at the end and fits into a female joint, whereas a female joint has an opening that fits over a male joint.

Female Joint

Female joints are the most common style of joint you will see in bongs and downstems at Glass Bongs Australia.

A female joint has a wide opening allowing for a male joint to be inserted inside of it.

For example, a bong or downstem with a female joint will require a male joint accessory to fit inside of it.

Male Joint

Male joints are the most common for accessories such as cone pieces and ash catchers.

These often have male joints enabling them to be inserted into female joints found on most of our bongs and downstems.

For example, a cone piece with a male joint will fit inside of a bong or downstem with a female joint.

There are three different bong joint sizes that are commonly used – 10mm, 14mm and 18mm. The most common joint size is 14mm while 10mm and 18mm are often only found on smaller or larger bongs respectively. 

10mm Joint

10mm joints are often found on small and compact bongs and dab rigs and will require 10mm accessories such as cone pieces and ash catchers.

14mm Joint

14mm joints are the most common size of joints. The majority of medium sized bongs have this joint size and will require 14mm accessories.

18mm Joint

18mm joints are less common and can be found on larger bongs and rigs. They will require 18mm accessories.

Measuring the joint size of your bong or bong part is a simple process. You can get an accurate measurement by using a ruler or tape measure.

There are two ways to measure your joint depending on its gender:

Male Joint Measurement

Measure the outside diameter of the widest part of your male joint. Again, there may be some minor variations, but it should come to either 10mm, 14mm or 18mm. If your male joint measures at 14mm, you will require a 14mm female joint.

Female Joint Measurement

Measure the inside diameter of the widest part of the female joint. There may be some slight variations between different joints, however the measurement should be either 10mm, 14mm or 18mm. If you're female joint measures at 14mm, you will require a 14mm male joint.

If you made an error with your measurement or want to customise your smoking device with unique accessories, we recommend investing in an adapter.

An adapter is an accessory that has two ends that fit into the respective joints of your bong or bong part. It is used to change the joint size of your bong or accessory quickly and easily.

The two ends could both be the same gender with different joint sizes, different genders with the same joint sizes or different genders with different joint sizes. They're typically made of thick, heat resistant glass and are suitable for many smoking devices.

For example, if your bong had a 14mm female joint and you owned an 18mm cone piece, you could purchase an adapter with a 14mm male end and a 18mm female end. You'd place the 14mm male end into the bong and the ash catcher into the 18mm female end. 

The standard joint angles and shapes of bongs and bong parts include:

90-Degree Joint

A 90-degree joint creates a perfect right angle, with the connected part pointing straight up upon insertion. This particular type of joint is frequently utilised in dab rigs and bongs that have vertical downstems.

45-Degree Joint

A slanted angle, commonly found in dab rigs and bongs with angled or "upright" downstems, is created by a 45-degree joint.

If you require more information or assistance with measuring your bong's joint size or choosing the right part for your rig, contact us at hello@glassbongs.com.au. We'll be more than happy to assist you to find the right sized products so you can have a seamless and enjoyable smoking experience.