read (also A-N) is a particular type of fitting used to connect flexible hoses and

rigid metal tubing that carry fluid. It is a US military-derived specification that

dates back to World War II and stems from a joint standard agreed upon by the Army
and Navy, hence AN. The Army-Navy involvement is also the origin of the red/blue
color combination that was traditionally used in the anodized finishing process.
[1]

AN sizes range from -2 (dash two) to -32 in irregular steps, with each step
equating to the OD (outside diameter) of the tubing in 1⁄16-inch increments.
Therefore, a -8 AN size would be equal to 1⁄2-inch OD tube. However, this system
does not specify the ID (inside diameter) of the tubing because the tube wall can
vary in thickness. Each AN size also uses its own standard thread size.

AN fittings are a flare fitting, using 37° flared tubing to form a metal-to-metal
seal. They are similar to other 37° flared fittings, such as JIC, which is their
industrial variant.[2] The two are interchangeable in theory, though this is
typically not recommended due to the exacting specifications and demands of the
aerospace industry. The differences between them relates to thread class and shape
(how tight of a fit the threads are), and the metals used. Although similar, 37° AN
and 45° SAE fittings and tooling are not interchangeable due to the different flare
angles. Mixing them can cause leakage at the flare.

Note that AN threads are different for bolts and fittings. In bolts the number
refers to the diameter of the bolt whereas in a fitting it refers to the OD of the
tube and thereby have different threads. For example, AN6 bolt has a 3⁄8-24 thread
[3] whereas an -6 AN fitting has a 9⁄16-18 thread.[4]

Originally parts were made compliant to the specification MIL-F-5509, but they are
now controlled under SAE AS (Aerospace Standards) specifications AS4841 through
AS4843 and AS4875.

Size comparison[5]
AN size -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -8 -10 -12 -16 -20 -24 -28
-32
Tube OD (inches) 1⁄8 3⁄16 1⁄4 5⁄16 3⁄8 1⁄2 5⁄8 3⁄4 1 1+1⁄4 1+1⁄2
1+3⁄4 2
Nominal hose ID (inches) 1⁄8 3⁄16 1⁄4 5⁄16 3⁄8 1⁄2 5⁄8 3⁄4 1
1+1⁄4 1+1⁄2 1+3⁄4 2
Actual hose ID (inches, approximate) 1⁄16 1⁄8 3⁄16 1⁄4 5⁄16 7⁄16 1⁄2
5⁄8 7⁄8 1+1⁄8 1+3⁄8 1+5⁄8 1+3⁄4
SAE thread size 5⁄16-24 3⁄8-24 7⁄16-20 1⁄2-20 9⁄16-18 3⁄4-16
7⁄8-14 1+1⁄16-12 1+5⁄16-12 1+5⁄8-12 1+7⁄8-12 2+1⁄4-12 2+1⁄2-
12
Pipe thread size (NPT) 1⁄8-27 1⁄4-18 3⁄8-18 1⁄2-14
3⁄4-14
See also