4-inch centerset faucets are made for washbasins with three holes and have handles that are 4 inches apart. They combine a spout and handles on a single base unit. Some centerset faucets may have two handles mounted onto a 6-inch plate.
Most of the 8-inch or widespread faucets have three pieces, the tap and the hot and cold handles, which means some 8-inch faucets can fit holes not exactly 8 inches apart. If the span is 4 inches, a 4-inch faucet is what you need. These usually have a base and come in one solid piece.
To get the faucet center, measure from the center of the hole in the sink on the far left to the center of the hole on the far right. Faucet center measurements can be anywhere between 4 and 16 inches.
4-hole sinks allow for a two-handle faucet and a sprayer or soap dispenser. 3-hole sinks allow for two-handle faucets only without accessories. 2-hole sinks allow for a single-hole faucet, and an accessory, like a sprayer. 1-hole sink has no deck plate, and is designed for a single-handle faucet.
A bathroom's centerset faucet also often is referred to as a 4-inch centerset. The measurement represents the distance between the faucet's handles. A bathroom faucet using a single hole in a sink not only mounted differently than a 4-inch centerset model, but the faucet itself might operate differently.
Make sure to measure your faucet centers. This refers to the distance, in inches, between the pre-drilled faucet holes in the sink or vanity, from the very center of the left hole to the very center of the right hole. These center points should correspond to the center connections of the faucets to be installed there.
DIY Frequently Asked Questions / What does it mean when a faucet is said to have 8-inch centers? The faucet mounts with the fixture holes set 8 inches apart. It's important that you buy the right size faucet to fit.
How to Measure the Faucet Hole Size? The best way to measure the inside diameter of the faucet hole is to use a Slide Caliper. The measuring accuracy for this type of tool ranges from +/- 0.001″ to +/- 0.0015″ (+/- 0.02 mm to +/- 0.04 mm).
If you have separate handles for hot and cold, you have three holes in the sink. Measure the distance between the handles. Hold the the tape measure above the faucet if it's in the way. If the distance is six inches or more you need a “widespread" or “eight inch spread" faucet.
[Y]ou can replace a centerset faucet with widespread faucet. If you have proper space in the bathroom sink then do three holes for the widespread faucet and now you can easily replace the faucet. At the time of replacement measure faucet size, it is 4-inch or 8-inch.
Centerset (4" Faucet Center): This type of faucet can be used on sinks and countertops with one to three holes. This style features a deckplate that contains the handles and spout in one plate. Centerset faucets require holes with 4" centers.
Most faucets in the United States will have a 1/2" MPT (male) or 1/2" FPT (female) threaded inlet. These connections use the NPT (National Pipe Thread) standard.
A standard residential faucet supply line has a 3/8-inch compression fitting on one end and a 1/2-inch female NPT fitting on the other.
Make certain you are choosing a faucet with adequate height to accommodate the items you'll be washing or filling. The higher the spout, the easier it is to fit tall pots under it for filling or cleaning. If you have a shelf above your sink or a wide window ledge, a tall faucet may not fit.
4-inch centerset faucets are made for washbasins with three holes and have handles that are 4 inches apart. They combine a spout and handles on a single base unit. Some centerset faucets may have two handles mounted onto a 6-inch plate.
Due to so many different styles, kitchen faucets are not universal. The base plate is often the differentiating factor with some the mounting holes are the standard 1 3/8” but there are also faucets on the market that have a 1 or 1 1/2” mounting hole.
A 4-inch centerset bathroom faucet connects to a three-hole bathroom sink. So if you have a three-hole sink with the outside holes 4 inches apart, you should be able to install a single-handle bathroom faucet. However, a deck plate to cover all the holes is usually needed.
Check the Faucet Height
Take a tape measure to your sink and measure the top of the counter surface to the nearest item above where your faucet will be. Then, select a product that fits in the available space.
Measure the countertop behind the sink, and the diameter of the pre-drilled holes and the distance between their centers. The hole dimensions are how to determine what size faucet will fit, before you buy the faucet.
Connolly recommends that the faucet should extend out at least seven inches from the back of the sink, so you can wash your hands without banging them against the sink. So, if your countertop is 24 inches deep, that would put the spout about 11 inches from the wall.
A 3-hole sink is very common in bathrooms. Depending on the spacing of the holes, you can choose a centerset, mini-widespread, or widespread bathroom faucet. A 2-hole sink usually accommodates a 4” centerset faucet. This is the easiest bathroom faucet to install or replace.