String Trimmer Line: Size, Shape, and the One Worth Buying
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The short answer
For weekly lawn edging, 0.095-inch twisted or round line is the sweet spot. Use 0.065–0.080 only for light grass on small electric trimmers, and 0.105+ square or serrated line only if you're cutting thick weeds with a gas trimmer.
0.095 Twisted Trimmer Line (Bulk Spool)
The sweet spot for weekly edging — quiet, tough, and bulk pricing lasts seasons.
Diameter is the only spec that can't lie
| Line diameter | Best for | Trimmer type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.065 in | Light grass, small yards | Cordless under 20V, electric | — |
| 0.080 in | Weekly grass trimming | 20V+ cordless, electric | — |
| 0.095 in | Edging + light weeds | High-volt cordless, homeowner gas | Check Price (opens in a new tab) |
| 0.105–0.130 in | Thick weeds, fence lines | Gas 25cc+ | — |
Check your trimmer's manual before upsizing — a line that's too thick bogs the motor and won't feed through the eyelets. Going one size up from stock is usually safe on gas and 40V+ cordless heads.
Shape changes the cut
- Round: cleanest cut on grass, quietest, cheapest. The default for lawn people.
- Twisted: round's quieter, slightly tougher sibling. Best all-around pick for suburban lawns.
- Square/multi-sided: sharp edges that saw through weeds. Shreds grass tips if you're trimming, not clearing.
- Serrated: aggressive weed line. Overkill — and loud — for edging a lawn.
Buy in bulk, not blister packs
A 3-pound spool of commercial line costs about what four small blister packs do and lasts a homeowner several seasons. Match diameter to your trimmer, pick twisted or round, and you're done. Copolymer 'titanium' and 'reinforced' labels are mostly marketing — diameter and freshness matter more.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What size trimmer line do I need?
- Check the manual or the spool cap — most homeowner cordless trimmers take 0.080 or 0.095. When in doubt, 0.095 twisted fits almost everything above 20V.
- Does expensive trimmer line last longer?
- Slightly, but fresh cheap line beats stale premium line every time. Buy bulk, store it cool and dark, and soak it before loading.
- Can I use a string trimmer to edge my lawn?
- Yes — flip the head vertical and walk the line along the sidewalk. A wheeled edger cuts a cleaner groove, but a trimmer with 0.095 line handles weekly touch-ups fine.
The Gear We’d Buy
Everything referenced in this guide, in one place.
0.095 Twisted Trimmer Line (Bulk Spool)
Top pickThe sweet spot for weekly edging — quiet, tough, and bulk pricing lasts seasons.
Typically $15 - $30
0.080 Round Trimmer Line
The right size for light grass on smaller cordless and electric trimmers.
Typically $8 - $15
0.105 Square Trimmer Line
Serrated edges saw through fence-line weeds — gas trimmers only.
Typically $15 - $25
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Key Takeaways
- 0.095" twisted line covers almost every suburban lawn.
- Match diameter to your trimmer — bigger isn't free.
- Soak line in water 24 hours to stop breakage.
- Bulk spools cost a fraction of blister packs.
Fix this next
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- Best Trimmer Line for Edging
Square and twisted line cuts a cleaner border than round. Which shape, diameter and material holds up on concrete, plus how to stop line from welding in the head.
Reviewed by
The Lawn Tool Hub Test Bench
We buy, borrow and break lawn tools on our own yards — clay in the back, sand-cut Bermuda in the front — and write down what actually changed the result.
Keep reading
Best Trimmer Line for Edging
Square and twisted line cuts a cleaner border than round. Which shape, diameter and material holds up on concrete, plus how to stop line from welding in the head.
The Best Lawn Edger for Your Yard: 4 Tested Picks
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Cordless vs. Gas Mower for Small Yards: The Real Math
Under a quarter acre, a 40V cordless mower wins on noise, storage and maintenance — and loses on exactly two things. The honest breakdown.
Top pick
0.095 Twisted Trimmer Line (Bulk Spool)