Kohler Cartridge Identification: Complete Guide — GP1016515, GP77005-RP & Rite-Temp [2026]

Ordering the wrong Kohler cartridge is easy to do and hard to undo once you’re already mid-repair. Kohler cartridge identification is trickier than it looks — the GP1016515, GP77005-RP, GP1092203, and K-GP800820 all share a vaguely cylindrical shape, yet they are not interchangeable. Install the wrong one and the valve either won’t seat or won’t seal. The fix is to collect every marking before you buy anything. This guide walks through four methods — easiest to hardest — so you leave the hardware store with the right part the first time.

Kohler cartridge identification works the same whether you’re dealing with a dripping kitchen faucet (likely a GP1016515 or GP77005-RP situation) or a shower that’s running hot even at the cold setting (almost certainly a Rite-Temp K-GP800820 scenario). Two different product families, same four-method approach.

If you’re still trying to confirm the brand is Kohler before narrowing to the cartridge model, start with How to Identify Your Faucet Brand first.

Method 1: Check the Label, Packaging, and Documentation

Start above the sink before you touch a single screw. Kohler says a product can be identified from its packaging, literature, specification sheets, and markings stamped on the product — and this documentation-first path is the fastest route to reliable kohler cartridge identification when the paperwork has survived (Kohler service parts).

For a sink faucet, look for the Kohler logo on the front of the handle or body to confirm the brand, then check for a model number or collection name anywhere on the faucet, box, installation sheet, or receipt. The model name — “Simplice,” “Artifacts,” “Forte,” or similar — points directly to the product page on Kohler’s site, and that product page shows a linked parts diagram with the correct cartridge called out by service part number.

Under the sink, check for adhesive or paper labels on the faucet body, shanks, supply hoses, or the plastic hardware bag if it’s still in the cabinet. If the faucet has been in place for years and no label has survived, record the hole count, number of handles, spout style, and whether the supply lines are braided or rigid — these visible details help Kohler’s search tools narrow the product category even without a model number.

For a Kohler Rite-Temp shower valve, documentation is often the only way to know which rough-in platform is behind the wall without disassembling anything. Check the garage, attic, or basement for the original installation box. The trim — handle and escutcheon — is a separate piece chosen after the valve body is installed; the trim’s collection name alone won’t tell you which valve body is in the wall. When documentation is available, it eliminates guesswork from kohler cartridge identification entirely.

Method 2: Read the Part Number on the Cartridge

If you’re already doing a repair and can see the cartridge, read the part number directly off the cartridge body or its packaging before discarding the old part. This is the most precise path to kohler cartridge identification — no interpretation required when you have the exact service part number in hand.

The four Kohler cartridges central to kohler cartridge identification are:

• GP1016515 — a white cylindrical single-control cartridge with a red ring and a metal stem adapter, commonly found in Kohler single-handle kitchen and bath faucets. The part number appears on the packaging and is often printed on the cartridge body (Zoro GP1016515 product image).
• GP77005-RP — a small metal/brass ceramic valve for two-handle Kohler faucets made roughly from 1990 to 2010. It comes in Kohler Genuine Parts packaging with the part number on the label (Plimpton & Hills GP77005-RP).
• GP1092203 / GP1092204 — a matched pair of black quarter-turn cartridges with spline adapters. GP1092203 is the cold-side cartridge; GP1092204 is the hot-side. They are directionally specific — not interchangeable with each other, let alone with other cartridge families (The Part Works GP1092203).
• K-GP800820 — the Kohler Rite-Temp pressure-balancing unit cartridge. A black cartridge with Kohler branding and orientation markings, compatible with the K-304 and K-11748 Rite-Temp shower valve platforms (Kohler/Sterling K-GP800820) (Lowe’s K-GP800820 listing).

Note the orientation markings on K-GP800820 before removing the old one. The Lowe’s product gallery shows orientation text on the cartridge body — install it backwards and hot and cold reverse. Photograph the original orientation before pulling the cartridge out.

One caution that applies across all Kohler cartridge families: similar-looking parts are not interchangeable. Moen’s own documentation explicitly warns about this for their parallel cartridge families, and the same principle holds for Kohler — the valve bores and spindle interfaces differ between the GP1016515 single-control, the GP1092203/GP1092204 quarter-turn pair, and the K-GP800820 pressure-balance assembly. If the part number is faded or missing from the existing cartridge, move on to Method 3.

Method 3: Identify by Visual Features and Handle Behavior

When part numbers are gone and the original documentation has vanished, the faucet or shower itself tells you what you need — if you know which visual cues matter for kohler cartridge identification.

For Kohler sink faucets, the handle count gives the first cut. One handle means the GP1016515 or a similar single-control cartridge. Two handles point toward the GP77005-RP ceramic disc valve (older, full-rotation handles) or the GP1092203/GP1092204 quarter-turn pair (handles that open fully with a 90-degree rotation). The handle motion is the distinguishing cue: smooth rotation through a full arc = single-control or ceramic disc style; a hard stop at 90 degrees = quarter-turn cartridges.

Visual appearance of each cartridge when you can see it: the GP1016515 has a white cylindrical body with a red ring and a metal stem adapter; the GP77005-RP is compact and brass/metallic; the GP1092203 and GP1092204 are distinctly black with a spline adapter and a directional label on the body (Guillens GP1092204).

For Kohler Rite-Temp shower valves, the visible rough-in body is the definitive cue — but accessing it requires shutting off the water and removing the handle and trim. Shut off the water at the bathroom angle stops or the home’s main before removing anything.

With the trim off, look at the valve body behind the wall:

• K-304 style: a brass pressure-balancing valve with visible screwdriver-adjustable stops and 1/2-inch CPVC or sweat connections (Kohler K-304-CS).
• K-8304 style: a newer black plastic rough-in and mudguard assembly that includes the pressure-balance cartridge, rough-in guide, and mudguard (Kohler K-8304-K). The K-8304-KS-NA variant adds service stops for shutting off water at the valve — a worthwhile upgrade if you’re replacing the cartridge anyway.

Both the K-304 and K-8304 platforms use the same K-GP800820 cartridge, which simplifies kohler cartridge identification once the valve body is confirmed.

If the valve body is fully hidden behind tile with no access panel, handle behavior gives a secondary clue: a single handle that cycles from off through cold to hot in a fixed rotation arc — with no in-and-out push-pull motion — is characteristic of a Kohler Rite-Temp valve (Kohler K-8304-K). Moen’s Posi-Temp handle moves similarly (rotates from 6 o’clock to 9 o’clock), so look for the Moen logo before assuming it’s a Kohler Rite-Temp — the cartridges are entirely different parts.

One trap to avoid: the trim collection name does not equal the valve model. A “Devonshire” escutcheon or “Memoirs” handle can sit on multiple valve platforms. Kohler states that the K-8304-K requires separate trim selected by the homeowner or installer after the valve is in the wall, so the trim and the rough-in valve are two independent choices (Perigold K-8304-K-NA). Always confirm the valve body before ordering any part.

Method 4: Use Kohler Scout and the Service-Parts Search

Kohler’s own digital tools are more useful than most homeowners realize, and both are free.

Start at Kohler’s “Find a Service Part” page (kohler.com/en/support/find-a-service-part). Enter any model number, service part number, or SKU you’ve collected. The results link to the product page and its parts diagram — the diagram shows exactly which cartridge sits in that valve, labeled by service part number. Confirm the diagram match before adding anything to a cart.

If you don’t have a model number, try Kohler Scout (scout.kohler.com). Scout is Kohler’s beta photo-identification tool — upload a clear photo of the faucet (the full fixture, not just the handle) and it attempts to match the visible product model. Scout works best on intact, well-lit fixtures in an uncluttered background. It can identify trim from the exterior, but Kohler’s own workflow still requires verifying the parts diagram after Scout returns a model number — Scout gives you the model, not a direct cartridge recommendation. Use it to get the model, then run that model through the service-parts search. Scout is the reconnaissance step, not the final step, in kohler cartridge identification — the parts diagram confirms the specific cartridge.

For Kohler technical specifications, the tech-specs search at kohler.com/en/for-professionals/technical-specifications is useful when you have a specification sheet from a construction project or a spec sheet printed on the original installation paperwork.

If the service-parts search returns no result and Scout can’t match the photo, try the model name in a standard web search — retailer product pages for Kohler products often include the same parts diagram and compatible cartridge list. If that still fails, the decision tree below covers the fallback sequence.

Kohler Cartridge Identification: Quick Decision Tree

Before you work through the logic below, find your exact Kohler cartridge with our free Repair Finder — it cross-references valve platform, handle count, and part number so you don’t make a second trip to the hardware store.

If you prefer to trace through it yourself, use this sequence for kohler cartridge identification:

Step 1. Do you have documentation — original packaging, installation sheet, model number, or receipt? → Yes: Go to Kohler’s service-parts search with the model number. Find the parts diagram. Confirm the cartridge. Done. → No: Continue to Step 2.

Step 2. Is there a part number stamped or printed on the existing cartridge? → Yes: Match it to the list in Method 2. Done. → No: Continue to Step 3.

Step 3. Is this a shower valve or a sink/bath faucet? → Shower: Shut off water, remove trim, examine the rough-in valve body. Brass = K-304 platform; black plastic mudguard = K-8304 platform. Either way, the cartridge is K-GP800820. → Sink/bath: Continue to Step 4.

Step 4. How many handles does the faucet have? → One handle, smooth full-arc rotation: GP1016515 is the most likely candidate for Kohler kitchen faucets post-2000. Confirm with Scout or the service-parts search. → One handle, quarter-turn with a hard 90-degree stop: May be a Kohler ball-style valve rather than a cartridge valve — check retailer compatibility lists. → Two handles, quarter-turn operation: GP1092203 (cold) and GP1092204 (hot) — order both, as they are directionally specific. → Two handles, full-rotation operation: GP77005-RP is the common two-handle ceramic cartridge for Kohler faucets from roughly 1990 to 2010.

Step 5. Still unclear? Upload a photo to Kohler Scout or contact Kohler support at 1-800-456-4537. Give them any collection name or finish visible on the faucet — even a finish name like “Vibrant Brushed Nickel” can help narrow the generation.

What to Do When You Can’t Identify the Cartridge

Sometimes the part number is gone, Scout can’t match the photo, and the faucet predates online documentation. The fallback paths for kohler cartridge identification in these cases are:

Take photos before any disassembly. Photograph the full faucet from the front, the underside and supply lines, the handle, the cartridge after removal, and any valve body visible behind shower trim. Both Kohler Scout and third-party tools work from uploaded photos — more angles, better identification odds (Kohler Scout).

Try third-party stem and cartridge tools when OEM identification fails. Danco’s StemFinder catalog covers over 2,000 plumbing repair parts and its cartridge category filters by fit brand, including Kohler, Sterling (Kohler’s budget line), Moen, Delta, and American Standard (Danco cartridges). Faucet Part-Finder accepts an uploaded photo, shows recommended replacement parts, and links to purchase options (Faucet Part-Finder). Use these as fallbacks only — OEM Kohler parts are available through authorized retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot, and an OEM cartridge is always preferable to an aftermarket fit. Third-party tools supplement but do not replace the four-method approach to kohler cartridge identification.

Consider full replacement when the correct cartridge cannot be confirmed, the valve body is corroded or cracked, the trim and valve are incompatible (common when someone installed non-Kohler trim on a Kohler rough-in), or when the combined cost of diagnosis, parts, and labor approaches the cost of a new fixture. For Kohler Rite-Temp specifically, the K-8304 platform lets you swap trim without touching the in-wall valve body — so if the valve is sound but the trim is worn, a trim swap is often more cost-effective than a full replacement (Perigold K-8304-K-NA).

When to Call a Plumber for Identification Help

Kohler cartridge identification turns into a plumber’s job when:

• The valve has no accessible shutoff — service stops are absent and shutting off the water means killing supply to the whole building.
• The old cartridge is stuck — corroded into the valve body and won’t pull out without risking damage to the seat.
• The valve is behind tile with no access panel, and confirming the platform requires cutting into the wall.
• You’ve ordered multiple wrong cartridges and still haven’t confirmed the right one.
• The shower behaves like a Rite-Temp but you can’t tell whether the platform is K-304 or K-8304 because the rough-in cover is sealed and a mistake on the cartridge means another wall opening.

Knowing when to escalate is part of effective kohler cartridge identification. A short plumber visit for kohler cartridge identification is often cheaper than repeated wrong-parts purchases. HomeGuide reports plumbers average $45–$150 per hour, small plumbing jobs average $125–$350, and service call fees commonly run $50–$200 (HomeGuide plumber cost). Budget roughly $75–$150 for a basic identification visit in most markets — local minimums, travel fees, and emergency rates can shift that range.

For the full picture on diagnosing and fixing Kohler and other brand faucets, see the Complete Guide to Faucet Repair.

Sources

• Kohler service-parts workflow, Scout photo ID, and model-number guidance
• Kohler Scout photo-identification tool
• Kohler technical specifications search
• Kohler K-304-CS Rite-Temp 1/2-inch Pressure-Balancing Valve product page
• Kohler K-8304-K Rite-Temp Rough-In Valve product page
• Kohler/Sterling K-GP800820 Rite-Temp Pressure-Balancing Unit Cartridge
• Lowe’s K-GP800820 listing with K-304 and K-11748 compatibility detail
• Perigold Kohler K-8304-K-NA listing with trim-separate-from-valve detail
• Zoro GP1016515 product image and description
• Plimpton & Hills GP77005-RP product listing
• The Part Works GP1092203 listing
• Danco cartridge catalog and StemFinder tool
• Faucet Part-Finder photo-based lookup tool
• HomeGuide plumber cost guide

Educational content only. Not a substitute for licensed professional advice. Local plumbing codes vary by jurisdiction. Use of any guidance from this guide is at your own risk.

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