McMaster-Carr logo
    Filter by
    Air Directional Control Valve Flow Pattern
    Mount Type
    Return Actuation
    Actuation
    System of Measurement
    Inlet Pipe Size
    Industrial Info Snippet
    Outlet Thread Type
    Actuator Color
    Maximum Pressure
    Outlet Pipe Size
    Industrial Info Snippet
    Valve Position
    Number of Flow Ports
    Inlet Thread Type
    Inlet Connection
    Outlet Connection
    Air Directional Control Valve Type
    Pipe Size
    Industrial Info Snippet
    For Use With
    U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) Qualifying
    Industrial Info Snippet
    DFARS Specialty Metals
    Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
    Industrial Info Snippet
    Forward
    Enter e-mail addresses in the fields below
    Message
    Cancel
    Print
    How can we improve?
    Comments
    E-mail address (if you would like a response)
    Help me decide (beta)
    8 Products
    About Directional Control Valves
    industrial info icon

    Choose the right valve for your application by matching the actions you'll power to our flow diagrams.

    Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style N.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style Q.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style W.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style X.

    Style N

    Style Q

    Style W

    Style X

    Manually control these valves by pushing or turning the actuator. Also known as 3-way or 3/2 valves, they create one action, such as extending a cylinder. They direct airflow from the inlet to your equipment and exhaust return airflow to create motion. In the off position, they exhaust air pressure from the system, allowing equipment to reset so the action can be repeated. Valves without an exhaust connection exhaust air to the atmosphere.
    Threaded Female Inlet x Threaded Female Outlet
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style N.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style Q.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style W.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Single-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style X.

    Style N

    Style Q

    Style W

    Style X

    Spring Return—Valves with spring return actuation return to their original position as soon as you release the actuator.
    Hand Return—Valves with hand return actuation stay actuated and return to their original position only when you move the actuator again.
    Valve Position—Fail-closed valves block airflow until actuated. Valves that are both fail closed and fail open can be installed to block airflow, or allow air to flow until actuated.
    Flow Coefficient (Cv)—Flow coefficient (Cv) is a measurement that indicates how much airflow can pass through a valve. When selecting between valves with the same port size, choose the valve with the higher flow coefficient to ensure it provides enough airflow to operate your system.
    Overall
    For Panel
    Cutout
    Style
    No. of Flow
    Ports
    Inlet
    Size
    Outlet
    Size
    Exhaust
    Connection
    Max. Flow Rate
    @ 100 psi, scfm
    Flow Coefficient
    (Cv)
    Pressure
    Range, psi
    Vacuum Rating,
    in. Hg
    Actuator
    Color
    Lg.
    Wd.
    Ht.
    Dia.
    Wd.
    Lg.
    Mounting Fasteners
    Included
    Each
    Fail Closed
     
    Spring Return
    N31/8 NPT1/8 NPTThreaded60.110 to 12023Red2 3/8"2 3/8"3 5/16"1 1/4"3/4"1 3/4"Yes6464K250000000
    W31/8 NPT1/8 NPTThreaded60.110 to 12023Black1 7/8"1 5/8"2 1/2"1 1/4"3/4"1 3/4"Yes6464K19000000
     
    Hand Return
    Q31/8 NPT1/8 NPTThreaded10.70.340 to 14526.5Red4 1/2"7/8"1 3/8"1 1/4"——No61345K16000000
     
    Fail Open/Fail Closed
     
    Hand Return
    X31/8 NPT1/8 NPTThreaded60.110 to 12023Black1 7/8"1 5/8"3"1 1/4"3/4"1 3/4"Yes6464K17000000
     

    Two-Speed Two-Action Air Directional Control Valves

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Two-Speed Two-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style M.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Two-Speed Two-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style Q.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Two-Speed Two-Action Air Directional Control Valves, Style T.

    Style M

    Style Q

    Style T

    Often used to extend and then retract a cylinder at different speeds, these valves create two actions and have two exhaust ports. They direct airflow from the inlet to your equipment and exhaust return airflow to create motion. Also known as 4-way and 5/2 valves.
    Spring Return—Valves with spring return actuation return to their original position as soon as you release the actuator.
    Hand Return—Valves with hand return actuation stay actuated and return to their original position only when you move the actuator again.
    Exhaust Connection—Valves with threaded exhaust connection type allow you to control the speed of each action by attaching a flow control valve to each exhaust port. Valves with no exhaust connection type exhaust air to the atmosphere.
    Flow Coefficient (Cv)—Flow coefficient (Cv) is a measurement that indicates how much airflow can pass through a valve. When selecting between valves with the same port size, choose the valve with the higher flow coefficient to ensure it provides enough airflow to operate your system.
    Overall
    Style
    No. of Flow
    Ports
    Inlet
    Size
    Outlet
    Size
    Exhaust
    Connection
    Max. Flow Rate
    @ 100 psi, scfm
    Flow Coefficient
    (Cv)
    Pressure Range,
    psi
    Vacuum
    Rating
    Lg.
    Wd.
    Ht.
    Mount Type
    For Panel
    Cutout Dia.
    Mounting Fasteners
    Included
    Mounting
    Hole Dia.
    Each
    Threaded Female Inlet x Threaded Female Outlet
     
    Spring Return
    Q51/8 NPT1/8 NPTThreaded140.2425 to 125Not Rated1 5/8"1 5/8"3/4"Panel, Screw In1 1/4"No0.19"61345K770000000
     
    Hand Return
    M51/8 NPT1/8 NPTThreaded190.3415 to 150Not Rated1 1/2"1 1/2"4 1/2"Panel1 1/4"——61345K55000000
    T51/8 NPT1/8 NPTThreaded140.2425 to 125Not Rated1 5/8"1 5/8"4 3/8"Panel, Screw In1 1/4"No0.19"61345K75000000
     

    Key-Operated Two-Speed Two-Action Air Directional Control Valves

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Directional Control Valves. Key-Operated Two-Speed Two-Action Air Directional Control Valves.
    Because they require a key to operate, you can limit who is able to adjust these valves. Often used to extend and then retract a cylinder at different speeds, they create two actions and have two exhaust ports, which allows you to control the speed of each action by attaching a flow control valve to each exhaust port. They direct airflow from the inlet to your equipment and exhaust return airflow to create motion. Return actuation is by hand, so they stay actuated and return to their original position only when you move the actuator again. Also known as 4-way and 5/2 valves.
    Flow Coefficient (Cv)—Flow coefficient (Cv) indicates how much airflow can pass through a valve.
    Overall
    No. of Flow
    Ports
    Inlet
    Size
    Outlet
    Size
    Exhaust
    Connection
    Max. Flow Rate
    @ 100 psi, scfm
    Flow Coefficient
    (Cv)
    Pressure Range,
    psi
    Vacuum Rating,
    in. Hg
    Lg.
    Wd.
    Ht.
    Mount Type
    For Panel
    Cutout Dia.
    Mounting Fasteners
    Included
    Mounting
    Hole Dia.
    No. of Keys
    Included
    Each
    Threaded Female Inlet x Threaded Female Outlet
     
    Hand Return
    51/8 NPT1/8 NPTThreaded11.30.3414 to 14526.57/8"1 5/8"5 5/8"Panel, Screw In1 1/4"No0.21"28444K340000000
     
    back to top