Quick Disconnect Size Chart: 0.110, 0.187 and 0.250 Tab Sizes by Wire Gauge

October 22, 2026

Quick disconnects (also called spade connectors, blade terminals or push-on terminals) come in a few standard tab widths. The male tab and the female receptacle must be the same width, and the barrel must match your wire gauge. This chart covers both, plus every quick disconnect we stock.

Quick answer: measure the width of the flat male tab. 0.110" (about 2.8 mm), 0.187" (3/16", about 4.8 mm) and 0.250" (1/4", about 6.3 mm) are the common sizes; 0.250" is the one you will see most on switches and automotive accessories. Then pick the wire gauge: 22–18, 16–14 or 12–10 AWG. Tab sizes are not interchangeable — a 0.187" female will not fit a 0.250" tab, and a 0.250" female will be loose on a 0.187" tab.

Quick Disconnect Tab Size Chart

Metric sizes are the inch sizes converted (inches × 25.4) and are treated as the same connector. Tabs of the same width can also differ in thickness, so a new female should push on firmly and not wiggle; if it is loose on an old tab, the tab may be bent, worn or thinner than standard.

How to Measure a Quick Disconnect Tab

1. Measure across the flat width of the male tab, not its length or thickness. Calipers are best; a ruler marked in 1/16" works if you are careful.
2. Just under 1/8" wide = 0.110". About 3/16" = 0.187". About 1/4" = 0.250". About 3/8" = 0.375".
3. Check every tab on the part. Some car speakers use one 0.250" tab and one 0.187" tab so the wires cannot be reversed, and some switches mix sizes too.
4. If you only have the female, measure the inside width of the receptacle opening.

Wire Gauge and Color Code

The barrel must match the wire. Insulated quick disconnects follow the standard color code, the same as ring and spade terminals:

Not sure what gauge your circuit needs? The wire gauge calculator sizes it from the current and run length. Our quick disconnects are made for stranded copper wire.

Choosing the Insulation Type

The ratings below are taken from the specification tab on each product page.

Male, Female, Fully Insulated, Flag and Piggyback

• Female disconnects push onto a male tab — on a switch, relay, appliance terminal or a male disconnect.
• Male disconnects give you a tab on the end of a wire, so two wires can be joined and later unplugged.
• Fully insulated versions cover the whole metal receptacle or tab, not just the barrel, so nothing is exposed once connected. When joining two wires, put the fully insulated female on the side that stays powered, so the live end is covered when the connection is unplugged.
• Flag connectors are 0.250" females with the receptacle at 90° to the wire, for tight spaces where a straight connector would not fit.
• Piggyback connectors are a female with a male tab on its back. They plug onto a tab and give you a second tab, so you can add a wire to a terminal that is already in use.

Every Quick Disconnect We Stock, by Tab Size

Each link goes to the product page; the SKU is shown. All are priced per piece.

0.250" (1/4") quick disconnects

0.187" (3/16") quick disconnects

0.110" quick disconnects

0.375" (3/8") quick disconnects

Crimping Tips

• Match the barrel to the wire gauge — a 12–10 barrel will not grip 16 AWG wire properly.
• Strip only enough insulation to fill the barrel; no bare wire should show past the barrel or the insulation.
• Use a crimp tool made for insulated terminals for vinyl, nylon and heat shrink types, and one for non-insulated terminals on bare ones.
• Give every crimp a firm pull. If it moves, cut it off and redo it.
• On heat shrink disconnects, heat the sleeve evenly until it shrinks and a little adhesive shows at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1/4" the same as 0.250"?

Yes. 1/4" = 0.250" (about 6.3 mm). A 1/4" quick disconnect and a 0.250" quick disconnect are the same size.

Can I use a 0.187" female on a 0.250" tab?

No. Each female receptacle fits only its own tab width. Measure the tab and buy the matching size.

What size quick disconnect do toggle and rocker switches use?

0.250" (1/4") is the usual size. Our blade-terminal toggle switches use 0.250" tabs, as do several of our rocker switches. Check the product page or measure the tab to be sure.

Are quick disconnects waterproof?

Only the heat shrink versions, which have an adhesive lining that seals around the wire when heated. Vinyl and nylon disconnects are not waterproof.

What is the difference between a spade terminal and a quick disconnect?

People use "spade" for both. A spade (fork) terminal goes under a screw or stud — see our spade terminals. A quick disconnect pushes onto a flat tab and pulls off without tools.

Which wire gauge do I need?

Red 22–18 AWG for low-current signal wiring, blue 16–14 AWG for most lighting and accessory circuits, yellow 12–10 AWG for higher-current loads. Use the wire gauge calculator to size the wire for your load.

Related Guides

• Ring terminal size chart
• Heat shrink tubing size chart
• High temperature wire terminals and their ratings
• Shop all quick disconnects

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