How to Identify Which Faucet Cartridge or Stem You Need (Complete Cross-Brand Guide)
You know your faucet is dripping, the handle is stiff, or the temperature won't stay consistent. You're 90% sure the internal part is the problem. But is it a cartridge or a stem? And which one do you actually need?
This is the most common sticking point in faucet repair. Cartridges are self-contained units found in single-handle faucets - you pull one piece out, push the new one in. Stems are found in two-handle and three-handle faucets - each handle has its own stem (hot, cold, and sometimes a diverter). There are hundreds of models across dozens of brands, and ordering the wrong one means wasted time, a return, and more days without a working faucet.
This guide walks you through identifying your part in three steps, then matches you to the exact replacement.
3 Steps to Identify Your Cartridge
Step 1: Find the Brand
Look at the trim plate (the decorative cover on the wall around the handle), the handle itself, or the spout. Most manufacturers stamp or engrave their name somewhere visible. Common brands: Moen, Delta, Kohler, Pfister (or Price Pfister), Gerber, Grohe, Glacier Bay, AquaSource, Mixet, and Sayco. If you can't find a name, check under the sink for a label on the supply lines, or look at the original box if you still have it.
Step 2: Determine If You Need a Cartridge or a Stem
Count the handles. One handle = you need a cartridge (a single unit that controls both hot and cold). Two handles = you need stems (one hot, one cold - they look like long screws with a broach on top). Three handles (common on tub/showers) = two stems plus a diverter stem. For stems, the broach shape matters - that's the pattern of teeth or flats at the top of the stem where the handle attaches. Common broach types include serrated (splined), square, D-shaped, and hex. Count the splines if your stem has teeth - this is the single most important identifier for matching the right replacement.
Step 3: Pull the Old Part and Match It
Turn off the water, remove the handle and trim, and pull the cartridge or stem out. For cartridges, look for a part number stamped or molded into the body and measure the overall length. For stems, measure the overall length (excluding the bibb screw on compression types), count the broach splines using a marker to make them easier to see, and note the broach shape. Take a photo and bring the old part to a plumbing supply store, or match it against the reference table below.
Quick Reference: Cartridge and Stem Matching Table
| Valve Brand | Faucet Type | OEM Part # | Part Type | FourHome | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moen | Single-handle (pull/rotate) | 1200 / 1225 | Cartridge | Shop | $23.98 |
| Moen | Single-handle Posi-Temp (shower) | 1222 | Cartridge | Shop | $32.98 |
| Kohler | Rite-Temp shower valve | K-304 | Cartridge | Shop | $33.98 |
| Kohler | Rite-Temp pressure balance | GP500520 | Cartridge | Shop | $17.98 |
| Delta | Two-handle (hot/cold) | RP1740 | Stem | Shop | $11.98 |
| Delta | Monitor 1300/1400 shower | RP19804 | Cartridge | Shop | $39.98 |
| Delta | MultiChoice 13/14 shower | RP46074 | Cartridge | Shop | $39.98 |
| Pfister | Two/three-handle (hot/cold) | 910-374 | Stem | Shop | $18.98 |
| Pfister | Three-handle (diverter) | 910-382 | Stem | Shop | $19.98 |
| Pfister | Two/three-handle (bibb seats) | 970-500 | Seats | Shop | $21.98 |
| Gerber | Pressure balance shower | 97-022 / 97-014 | Cartridge | Shop | $44.98 |
| Gerber | Two-handle (hot/cold) | 98-673 | Stem | Shop | $18.98 |
| Grohe | Tempress II shower | 47080 | Cartridge | Shop | $40.98 |
| Glacier Bay / AquaSource | Single-handle ceramic | 169-640 / 704-612 | Cartridge | Shop | $13.98 |
| Mixet | Single-handle | MS-5AT | Cartridge | Shop | $19.98 |
Brand-by-Brand Identification Guide
Moen - Single-Handle Faucets
Moen is the most common faucet brand in North America. Their single-handle faucets use either the 1200 (brass body, pre-2009) or 1225 (plastic body, post-2009). These are fully interchangeable - either one fits the same valve body. The brass 1200 handles hard water better and lasts longer. Their Posi-Temp shower valves use the 1222 cartridge, which is a completely different part and is not interchangeable with the 1200/1225.
How to tell them apart: The 1200/1225 has a shorter body with a twist-and-pull action. The 1222 is longer, has a barrel shape, and the handle pushes in to turn on (Posi-Temp). If you pull the cartridge and see a brass cylinder about 3.75" long, that's a 1200/1225. If it's about 7" long with a larger diameter, that's a 1222.
Moen 1200/1225 - $23.98 Moen 1222 - $32.98Delta - Shower Cartridges and Stems
Delta uses different cartridges depending on the valve generation. The Monitor 1300/1400 series uses the RP19804. The newer MultiChoice 13/14 series uses the RP46074. Older two-handle Delta faucets use the RP1740 stem (hot and cold). To tell which valve you have, look at the trim plate - Monitor valves have a round temperature indicator dial, while MultiChoice valves typically have a lever handle.
Delta RP1740 Stem - $11.98 Delta RP19804 - $39.98 Delta RP46074 - $39.98Kohler - Shower Valves
Kohler Rite-Temp shower valves are extremely common in homes built after 2000. The K-304 is the main cartridge for Rite-Temp and Sterling valves - it's about 3-5/8" long. The GP500520 is the pressure balance unit that sits inside some Rite-Temp configurations. If your Kohler shower has temperature swings, the K-304 is almost always the fix.
Kohler K-304 - $33.98 Kohler GP500520 - $17.98Pfister (Price Pfister) - Stems and Seats
Pfister two-handle and three-handle faucets use compression stems and bibb seats. The 910-374 stem fits Marquis and Crown Imperial models (hot and cold). The 910-382 is the diverter stem for three-handle tub/shower configurations. When replacing stems, always replace the 970-500 bibb seats at the same time - worn seats are the #1 cause of recurring leaks in Pfister faucets.
Pfister 910-374 Stem - $18.98 Pfister 910-382 Diverter - $19.98 Pfister 970-500 Bibb Seats 10-Pack - $21.98Gerber - Shower Cartridges and Stems
Gerber pressure balance shower valves use the 97-022 (also cross-referenced as 97-014). It's a 4-3/4" single lever cartridge. Two-handle Gerber faucets use the 98-673 stem. Gerber parts are less commonly stocked at hardware stores than Moen or Delta, which is why many people end up ordering online.
Gerber 97-022 Cartridge - $44.98 Gerber 98-673 Stem - $18.98Grohe - Tempress II
Grohe's Tempress II shower valves (35 200 series) use the 47080 pressure balance cartridge. These are found in higher-end installations and hotels. The cartridge is about 3" in diameter. If your Grohe shower has temperature stability issues, this is the part.
Grohe 47080 - $40.98Glacier Bay / AquaSource / Big Box Store Brands
These are private-label brands sold at Home Depot (Glacier Bay) and Lowe's (AquaSource). They share the same ceramic disc cartridge across multiple models including 169-640, 704-612, and 704-615. It's a single-handle hot/cold cartridge. If you have a builder-grade single-handle faucet from the last 10-15 years and aren't sure of the brand, this cartridge is a strong candidate.
Glacier Bay / AquaSource Cartridge - $13.98Still Can't Identify It?
If you've pulled the cartridge and can't find a part number or brand match, here are your options. Take the cartridge to a local plumbing supply store (not a big box store - the independent supply houses have more expertise). Search by the measurements: overall length, stem diameter, and broach type (the shape of the stem tip that connects to the handle). Or take a clear photo and email it to us at info.looppilot@gmail.com - we can help you match it.
OEM vs Aftermarket: What's the Difference?
Original manufacturer cartridges (OEM) carry the brand name and typically cost 2-3x more. Quality aftermarket replacements are built to the same dimensions and material specs. The key things to look for in an aftermarket cartridge: solid brass construction (not plastic or zinc), precision-machined O-ring grooves, and included hardware like retainer clips and caps. FourHome cartridges are manufactured in the same facility that produces OEM parts for major plumbing brands - same brass, same CNC tolerances, same quality testing.
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