Choosing the right trimmer line size for your STIHL trimmer makes a huge difference in cutting speed, durability, and the overall performance of your machine.
This guide gives you a complete STIHL trimmer line size chart, explains what each size is best for, and helps you match the correct line to your STIHL gas, battery, or electric trimmer.
If you want smoother cuts, fewer line breaks, and faster trimming, this chart will help you choose the perfect fit.
Stihl Trimmer Line Size Chart
| Line Diameter | Common STIHL Line Types | Compatible STIHL Trimmers | Best For | Cutting Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.065″ (1.6 mm) | Quiet Line, Round Line | FSA 45, FSE 52, older plug-in models | Small lawns, edging, soft grass | Very Light |
| 0.080″ (2.0 mm) | Quiet Line, Round, Star, Pentagonal | FSA 56, FSA 57, FSA 60, FS 38, FS 40, FSE 60 | Residential trimming, grass, medium lawns | Light |
| 0.090″ (2.3 mm) | Round Line, Quiet Line, Star Line | FS 45, FS 50, FS 55 | Moderate grass, rougher lawn edges | Medium |
| 0.095″ (2.4 mm) | Round, Square, X-Line, CF3 Pro, Durogator | FS 56 RC-E, FS 70 R, FSA 86 R, FS 91, FS 111 | Thick grass, weeds, tall turf, acre properties | Medium–Heavy |
| 0.105″ (2.7 mm) | Square, CF3 Pro, X-Line | FS 111, FS 120, FS 131, FS 240 | Heavy weeds, ditch banks, brushy areas | Heavy |
| 0.118″ (3.0 mm) | Square Line, CF3 Pro | FS 240, FS 260, FS 310 | Dense weeds, brush patches | Very Heavy |
| 0.130″ (3.3 mm) | Square Line, CF3 Pro | FS 360, FS 390, FS 410, FS 460 | Light brush clearing, woody stems | Extremely Heavy |
| 0.155″ (3.9 mm) | Heavy-duty Square Line | FS 490, FS 560 Clearing Saws | Saplings, small trees, thick brush | Ultra Heavy |
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Understanding STIHL Trimmer Line Sizes
STIHL trimmer line diameters range from 0.065 in. to 0.155 in. Thicker line = more durability, more cutting force. Thinner line = lighter, quieter, and better for battery life.
1. Light-Duty (0.065″ – 0.080″)
These small lines work perfectly for homeowners cutting manicured lawns. They are flexible, quiet, and gentle around flower beds.
2. Medium-Duty (0.095″)
This is the most popular STIHL size, ideal for thick grass, large yards, and small weeds. It balances durability and efficiency.
3. Heavy-Duty (0.105″ and up)
Designed for professionals or owners of acreage, this line handles tough brush, dense weeds, and fence-line overgrowth.
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STIHL Trimmer Line Types Explained
STIHL produces several line shapes and materials to optimize performance:
Round Line
- Most durable against fencing and concrete
- Smooth feeding
- Good for general trimming
Quiet Line
- Designed for STIHL battery trimmers
- Reduces noise by up to 50%
- Best for residential areas
Square Line
- Sharper edges = faster cutting
- Ideal for dense weeds
- More aggressive than the round line
X-Line (Spiral)
- Spiral shape reduces drag
- Very high cutting efficiency
- Great for professional landscapers
CF3 Pro Tri-Polymer
- STIHL’s top-performance line
- Fiberglass reinforcement
- Maximum durability and speed
- Designed for high-powered FS models
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How to Choose the Correct STIHL Trimmer Line Size
To choose the right line:
1. Match the line to your trimmer’s head
Using thicker line than your trimmer supports causes:
- Poor performance
- Overheating
- Excessive fuel or battery consumption
Always stay within the trimmer’s allowed diameter.
2. Consider the vegetation
- Light grass → 0.065″–0.080″
- Thick lawn + weeds → 0.095″
- Heavy weeds + brush → 0.105″+
3. Consider your power source
- Battery trimmers: best with thin, low-drag line (0.065″–0.095″)
- Gas trimmers: handle all sizes, including heavy-duty lines
STIHL Trimmer Head Compatibility
| STIHL Trimmer Head | Supported Line Sizes | Notes / Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| AutoCut 2-2 | 0.065″, 0.080″ | Very small heads for compact electric/battery tools |
| AutoCut C 3-2 | 0.065″, 0.080″ | Quiet use, residential trimming |
| AutoCut 5-2 | 0.065″–0.080″ | Smooth feeding, low-drag line |
| AutoCut 11-2 | 0.080″–0.095″ | Light to medium grass |
| AutoCut 25-2 | 0.080″–0.095″ | Most common head for FS 56/70 models |
| AutoCut 27-2 | 0.095″–0.105″ | Heavier weeds, stronger trimmers |
| AutoCut 36-2 | 0.095″–0.118″ | Semi-pro cutting power |
| AutoCut 46-2 | 0.105″–0.130″ | Heavy cutting with FS 240+ |
| AutoCut 56-2 | 0.130″–0.155″ | Forestry-grade cutting |
| DuroCut 5-2 | Precut strips 0.065″–0.080″ | Uses fixed-length pieces |
| DuroCut 20-2 | 0.095″–0.130″ | Heavy-duty cutting with flexible strip loading |
| DuroCut 40-4 | 0.130″–0.155″ | Extremely heavy brush work |
| TrimCut 31-2 | 0.080″–0.095″ | Manual line advance, tough cutting |
| TrimCut 41-2 | 0.095″–0.105″ | Larger version for pro users |
| PolyCut 6-2 | 0.065″–0.080″ | Plastic blades + line option |
| PolyCut 28-2 | 0.095″ | High-efficiency plastic blades |
| PolyCut 48-2 | 0.105″ | Heavy brush blade/line combo |
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Best Line Size for Popular STIHL Trimmers
| STIHL Model | Recommended Line Size | Compatible Heads | Usage Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSA 45 | 0.065″ | AutoCut 2-2 | Light-duty |
| FSA 56 / 57 | 0.080″ | AutoCut 2-2 / 3-2 | Residential |
| FSA 60 C-B | 0.080″–0.095″ | AutoCut 25-2 | Medium-duty |
| FSA 86 R | 0.095″ | AutoCut 27-2 | Medium-heavy |
| FSA 90 R | 0.095″ | AutoCut 25-2 | Commercial |
| FSA 135 / 135 R | 0.095″–0.105″ | AutoCut 27-2, 36-2 | Pro-level battery |
| FSE 52 (electric) | 0.065″ | AutoCut 2-2 | Light grass |
| FS 38 | 0.080″ | AutoCut 5-2 | Homeowners |
| FS 40 / FS 40 C-E | 0.080″ | AutoCut 25-2 | Light grass |
| FS 45 | 0.080″–0.090″ | AutoCut 11-2 | Medium grass |
| FS 50 / FS 50 C-E | 0.090″ | AutoCut 11-2 | Moderate grass |
| FS 55 R / FS 55 C-E | 0.090″–0.095″ | AutoCut 25-2 | Medium-duty |
| FS 56 RC-E | 0.095″ | AutoCut 25-2 | Most common residential |
| FS 70 R | 0.095″ | AutoCut 25-2 | Larger yards |
| FS 91 R | 0.095″–0.105″ | AutoCut 27-2 | Semi-pro |
| FS 94 R | 0.095″ | AutoCut 27-2 | Lightweight commercial |
| FS 111 R | 0.105″ | AutoCut 27-2 | Commercial |
| FS 120 / FS 120 R | 0.105″ | AutoCut 36-2 | Heavy weeds |
| FS 131 R | 0.105″ | AutoCut 36-2 | Heavy cutting |
| FS 240 R | 0.105″–0.130″ | AutoCut 46-2, DuroCut 20-2 | Very heavy weeds |
| FS 260 R | 0.118″–0.130″ | AutoCut 46-2 | Brush work |
| FS 310 | 0.118″–0.130″ | AutoCut 46-2 | Rough brush |
| FS 360 / FS 360 C-EM | 0.130″–0.155″ | AutoCut 56-2, DuroCut 40-4 | Brush + light saplings |
| FS 410 / FS 411 C-EM | 0.130″–0.155″ | AutoCut 56-2 | Forestry grade |
| FS 460 | 0.130″–0.155″ | DuroCut 40-4 | Forestry brush |
| FS 490 / FS 560 Clearing Saws | 0.155″ | DuroCut heavy heads | Saplings / thick brush |
When to Move Up to a Larger Line Diameter
Upgrade to a thicker line if:
- Your current line breaks frequently
- You’re trimming tall weeds or ditch banks
- You have a high-power FS gas trimmer
Do not oversize your line on battery units – it reduces runtime and power.
Tips for Longer Trimmer Line Life
- Avoid hitting rocks, cement, or chain-link fencing
- Keep the line at full cutting length
- Use a high-quality line like STIHL CF3 Pro
- Store the line in a sealed plastic bag with a little water to keep it flexible
Final words
STIHL offers a wide range of trimmer line sizes and materials to fit every cutting condition, from light lawn trimming to heavy brush clearing. With the full STIHL trimmer line size chart above, you can easily match your trimmer model to the correct line diameter and type, ensuring maximum performance, durability, and cutting efficiency.
Whether you operate a compact FSA battery trimmer or a heavy-duty FS 360 clearing saw, choosing the right line size guarantees better results every time you trim.
