Finding the Perfect "Slide" for Your Bong

So, you were doing a deep clean (good for you!), your hands were a little soapy, and clink—your favorite bowl piece is now a "some assembly required" puzzle on the floor. Or maybe you’re online shopping and looking at a beautiful new slide, but you’re staring at the "10mm, 14mm, 18mm" options like they’re a different language.

Fear not, glass-loving friend! You don't need to go back to school for an engineering degree to figure this out. In 2026, we have plenty of "wallet-and-hand" hacks to find your size without ever touching a ruler. Let’s get you sized up!

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The "Change in Your Pocket" Trick

This is the gold standard of stoner hacks. If you’ve got a spare Dime or Penny, you have a precision measurement tool.

The Dime Test (Best for Female Joints)

If your bong has the hole (female joint) and you’re trying to find the bowl that goes into it:

• The 18mm (The Big Boy): If the dime falls completely inside the joint and hits the bottom, you have an 18mm fitting.
• The 14mm (The Standard): If the dime sits right on top of the opening (like a little lid) or only goes in a tiny bit, you have a 14mm fitting.
• The 10mm (The Micro): If the dime is way bigger than the hole, you’ve got a 10mm "nano" joint.

The Penny Test (For Male Bowls)

If you still have your broken bowl and want to measure it:

• 18mm: The glass joint is almost exactly the same width as a penny.
• 14mm: The glass joint is significantly smaller than the penny (it’ll look like it’s wearing the penny as a wide-brimmed hat).

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The "Rule of Thumb" (Literally)

If your pockets are empty, just use your hands! This isn't 100% scientific, but it’ll get you in the ballpark.

• The Pinky Rule: If the opening is about the size of the tip of your pinky finger, it’s almost certainly a 14mm. This is the most common size on Earth.
• The Thumb Rule: If the opening is closer to the size of your thumb, you’re looking at an 18mm. These are usually found on big beakers and "heavy hitters."
• The AAA Battery: If you have an old battery lying around, the end of a AAA battery is almost exactly 10mm.

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Understanding "Gender" (A Quick Refresher)

In the world of glass, it’s all about who goes where.

• Female Joint: The bong has an opening (a hole). It needs a Male Bowl.
• Male Joint: The bong has a protruding glass stem. It needs a Female Bowl.

Humor Alert: Most bongs are "Female," meaning they are waiting for a Male bowl to slide in. If you buy a Male bowl for a Male bong, they’re just going to clink together like they’re high-fiving, and you won’t be getting any hits.

Pro-Tips for the Replacement Hunt

• 14mm vs 14.5mm: If you see these two numbers online, don’t stress! They are the exact same thing. The same goes for 18mm and 18.8mm.
• The Taper: All glass joints are tapered (wider at the top, narrower at the bottom). This is why "ground glass" joints create such a great airtight seal.
• Adapters are Life: If you accidentally buy a 14mm bowl for your 18mm bong, don't throw it away! You can buy a "Low Profile Adapter" for about $10 that bridges the gap.

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Ready to get back to your session?

Now that you know you’re a "14mm Male" kind of person (or whatever your size may be), you can shop with confidence!