This is a general listing for aerators. "A112.18.1M" is not a specific part number for an aerator, but rather a number that must be printed on all aerators sold in the US. We created this listing to help you find the aerator you need. Please contact us for more information. 

NRG Can Help You Find The Aerator You Need 

Are trying to replace your aerator? You may have seen the code "A112.18.1M" printed on your aerator. While this code looks like a part number that you could use to identify your aerator and figure out sizing or other information, this number is actually not a part number at all. US law requires manufacturers to print "A112.18.1M" on aerators and shower heads sold in the US. Manufacturers must print "A112.18.1M" on every aerator in the US, so the number doesn't say anything about the size, style, or brand of your aerator. Instead, the number simply indicates that the aerator "demonstrate[s] compliance with the applicable ASME standard" (source). 

"A112.18.1M" can't help you find a replacement aerator, but we can. We have decades of experience selling aerators, and we are happy to put that experience to use in finding the aerator you need. The rest of this listing is our guide to faucet aerators, but you can also contact us for more information. 

External Aerators

Most aerators are either "External" aerators or "Cache" aerators. "External Aerators" have a plastic "insert" and a metal "housing" around the insert. If your aerator is a single piece all plastic construction (ie., does NOT have a metal housing), see the "Cache Aerators" section below. This first section covers external aerators. 

External Aerator Video Guide

External Aerator Text Guide

Aerators come in a variety of sizes and threading, so you'll want to make sure you get the right one, or it won't fit your faucet. First, look at your old aerator, and see if the threads are on the outside or inside. Threads on the outside mean that your aerator is male threaded; threads on the inside mean that your aerator is female threaded. 

Next, you just need to figure out the size. You can measure the aerator, but since 1/16 of an inch makes the difference between fitting and not fitting, we strongly recommend against measuring the aerator with a ruler. Instead, we recommend what we call the "Coin Method." Just take a quarter, a nickel, a dime, and a penny, and compare the OUTER diameter of your aerator, INCLUDING the metal housing. 

• Quarter = standard size 
• Nickel = junior size 
• Penny = tiny junior size 
• Dime = tom thumb size 

Once you've completed these steps, you should have the info you need to find an aerator that fits your faucet. Note that a "dual threaded" aerator has both male and female threads and will fit faucets that require either threading. 

Example: your old aerator has threads on the inside, and is roughly the size of a nickel in outer diameter. From this information, you probably have a junior size female aerator. 

Example dual threaded standard size aerator 

Example male junior size aerator 

Our aerator section

Cache Aerators

"Cache" aerators are a one-piece, all-plastic construction. Unlike external aerators, they thread completely into the faucet (are not visible from the outside). Not that because of this, Cache aerators require a removal tool to install or uninstall. 

Cache Aerator Video Guide

Cache Aerator Text Guide

Cache aerators are all plastic, and you can also identify them by the fact that they thread completely into the faucet and are not visible from the outside. You can measure the aerator, but since 1/16 of an inch makes the difference between fitting and not fitting, we strongly recommend against measuring the aerator with a ruler. Instead, we recommend what we call the "Coin Method." Just take a quarter, a nickel, a dime, and a penny, and compare the OUTER diameter of your aerator. Note that cache aerators may include a removal tool with the size printed on the tool (look for initials such as "TJ" for tiny junior, etc.). 

• Quarter = standard size 
• Nickel = junior size 
• Penny = tiny junior size 
• Dime = tom thumb size 

Example: you compare your old aerator to a set of coins, and find that it's closest in size to a quarter. You most likely need a standard size aerator, and if you don't have one already, you'll also need a standard size removal key. 

Example Cache aerator

Cache Removal tool 

Our Cache aerator section

Other Factors To Consider When Buying An Aerator 

Besides figuring out sizing and threading, you should also think about the flow rate and flow style that you want. 

Flow Rate 

Flow rates in the US range from 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) to lower, water saving rates. Choosing the right flow rate comes down to how much water you want to save, what you need the faucet to do, and what your local laws allow (2.2 gpm is the current max flow rate in the US as of writing, but some states, such as California, require lower rates). 

Flow Style 

Flow style refers to how the aerator handles the water. An aerated stream is soft white splash-reducing stream. Aerated streams are a typical application for bathroom and kitchen faucets. If you're not sure what you want, it's probably safe to go with an aerated stream. Laminar refers to a clear stream without added air. Multi-laminar means a laminar stream with multiple smaller streams. 

Special Cases 

And, of course, there are some special cases. If you have a Cache style Moen or Delta aerator with a detachable plastic ring, you may need a Moen or Delta adapter kit. See the listings for more information. 

Not sure what you need? Have any questions? Please feel free to contact us. We are happy to help.