Price Pfister faucet cartridge is the term a lot of homeowners search for even though the company hasn’t used that full name on new products in years — if your faucet, box, or old receipt says “Price Pfister” rather than just “Pfister,” you likely have an older fixture, and that matters for identification. The company shortened its name, but the parts-support path, the model-number system, and the cartridge families are the same lineage. This guide walks through finding your exact price pfister faucet cartridge part number before you order anything, so a $15–$35 part doesn’t turn into two.
Price Pfister cartridges are not interchangeable across product families. A ceramic-disc cartridge from a widespread bathroom faucet won’t fit a single-handle kitchen faucet, and even within one product line, older and newer generations often use different cartridge numbers. Knowing the brand is step one — not the answer.
Already have a model or cartridge number? Our free Repair Finder can point you to the likely replacement part in a few clicks, so you skip a second trip to the hardware store.
Why “Price Pfister” vs. “Pfister” Matters for Cartridge ID
If your faucet, box, or paperwork reads “Price Pfister” in full, you’re looking at an older fixture — the company’s product lineage carried that name before it was shortened to “Pfister,” and the parts-support system today is the same regardless of which name appears on your unit. That’s useful information: it tells you to check for an older model-number format and to expect that the exact cartridge may be an earlier generation of a still-supported family, or in rarer cases a discontinued part that needs an aftermarket cross-reference.
Either name — Price Pfister or Pfister — routes to the same official parts-support site, pfisterfaucets.com. Don’t let the older name on your fixture send you searching a defunct brand; the manufacturer, warranty desk, and parts diagrams are all still active under the current name.
Method 1: Find the Model Number First
The model number is the fastest, highest-confidence path to the correct price pfister faucet cartridge, because once you have it, Pfister’s own system routes you straight to that product’s parts diagram and the exact cartridge listed for it.
Pfister’s cartridge FAQ describes the model number as an 8-character code — something like F-529-7AYY — and says it’s printed both on the product package and on the instruction manual, just below the product name. Pfister FAQ If you still have the box or the installation sheet, start there before touching the faucet at all. Pfister FAQ
No paperwork? Get under the sink with a flashlight. For most lavatory and kitchen faucets, check three spots: the underside of the faucet shank (the threaded post passing through the countertop, above the mounting nut), a small hang-tag on a braided supply line, or the back of the spout body.
On a tub or shower valve, the model or series marking may be on the valve body itself, visible only after the trim plate is removed — a step worth taking only after confirming you can shut off the water safely.
Once you have the model number, go to Pfister Replacement Parts, enter it, and open the parts diagram for that exact product. The diagram labels every part, including the specific cartridge number your faucet takes. Pfister FAQ
Method 2: Read the Faucet Itself — Room, Type, and Feature Cues
No model number and no box? Pfister’s own fallback for exactly this situation is to browse the catalog by room and faucet type — filtering by category, finish, and price/style — until you land on the matching product. Pfister FAQ
Before you touch a wrench, look over the whole faucet and note:
- Handle count — single-handle or two-handle
- Deck-hole pattern — centerset (4-inch spread) versus widespread (8-inch spread) on bathroom faucets Pfister FAQ
- Spout style — standard, pull-down, pull-out, or bridge
- Deckplate — present or absent
- Finish — chrome, brushed nickel, bronze, or Pfister’s Spot Defense finish, which the company markets as resistant to fingerprints and water spots Pfister FAQ
Each of those narrows the product-catalog search meaningfully, and it’s the same information Pfister’s own filtered browsing uses. Pfister FAQ
For tub and shower valves specifically, Pfister’s navigation separates shower trim, tub-and-shower trim kits, valves, and handle options into distinct categories — so identifying the trim style and whether you’re also replacing the rough valve are two separate questions, not one. Pfister Replacement Parts
Method 3: Remove the Cartridge and Read It Directly
If the model number and visual browsing both come up empty, the cartridge itself — once removed — is often the most reliable identifier, and you’ll need to pull it for the repair anyway.
Before removing anything: shut off the water at the angle stops under the sink (or the main, if the stops don’t fully close), and open the faucet to release pressure.
Once it’s out, Pfister’s own workflow supports identifying a removed cartridge by part number or by appearance — the cartridge listing on Pfister’s site includes a thumbnail image with approximate dimensions, plus exact specifications further down the page. Pfister FAQ Check the cartridge cap, the barrel, the stem end, and the retaining nut for a stamped or molded part number, and photograph it before cleaning anything off. Pfister Ask a Question
Many Price Pfister single-handle kitchen and widespread bathroom faucets use a ceramic-disc cartridge — a flat, hard ceramic disc pair that rotates to control flow and mix temperature, rather than the rubber-seated compression stem found in older two-handle faucets. If you’re researching a 974-xxx style number on your removed cartridge, treat that as a cartridge or part identifier, not the faucet’s own model number — the faucet’s model number and the cartridge’s part number are two different codes on the same fixture, and Pfister’s identification workflow keeps them separate: identify the faucet model first (or search by cartridge part number and appearance if it’s already removed). Pfister FAQ
Orientation matters too, not just shape — some cartridges from comparable brands carry a printed arrow or colored dot showing which side faces the spout, and installing one backward causes a leak or a reversed hot/cold mix even though the cartridge “fit.” Delta Find Parts Check your removed cartridge for any similar orientation mark before you reinstall or reorder.
Don’t stop at “it’s a Price Pfister” and assume any cartridge on the shelf with that name will work. Pfister sells many distinct cartridge types across its product lines, and its own guidance is to narrow by exact product, part number, appearance, and dimensions rather than by brand name alone. Pfister FAQ
Method 4: When the Markings Are Gone
If the model number is worn away, the cartridge markings are illegible, and visual browsing hasn’t landed a confident match, don’t guess — photograph and ask.
Pfister’s own “Ask a Question” support page asks users to submit two or three photos from different angles: a close-up of the specific part plus a wider shot showing the whole product. Pfister Ask a Question Take a wide shot of the whole faucet, a close-up of the handle and escutcheon, an under-sink photo, and — if you’ve removed it — a close-up of the cartridge. Pfister Ask a Question
If you suspect the faucet might not actually be a Pfister at all, ruling out other brands is worth the five minutes it takes. Kohler offers a photo-upload identification tool called KOHLER Scout. Kohler Support Delta’s product identifier accepts a model number or a short series of guided questions about room, product type, and description. Delta Find Parts Moen directs homeowners to the UPC label on the package, the instruction sheet, or the side of the retail box. Moen Parts
For a cross-brand fallback with a guided selector, Danco’s Leaky Faucet Guide asks whether the leak is from a faucet or tub spout, then walks through one-handle, two-handle, and tub/shower configurations before pointing to a stem or cartridge match. Leaky Faucet Guide Danco stocks more than 2,000 plumbing repair parts, but “universal” doesn’t mean “fits everything” — its catalog still separates parts by faucet type, stem/cartridge style, and size, so measure before you buy. Danco
At some point, replacing the whole fixture beats chasing a part. If the brand, model, and cartridge generation all stay ambiguous, if the trim is corroded enough that disassembly risks damaging it further, or if a second wrong cartridge order would approach the cost of a new faucet, replacement is the honest call. HomeGuide reports small plumbing repair jobs — fixing a sink, faucet, or bathtub — average $125 to $350, and full faucet installation averages $120 to $300, which is a useful yardstick against a third shipping-and-labor round on an uncertain part. HomeGuide
Price Pfister Faucet Cartridge: Quick Decision Tree
| Situation | Fastest action |
|---|---|
| Have the box, manual, or receipt | Read the 8-character model number → enter at Pfister Replacement Parts → open the parts diagram |
| No paperwork, faucet still assembled | Check shank underside, supply-line tag, and spout back for the model number |
| No model number found | Browse Pfister’s catalog by room, faucet type, deck-hole pattern, finish, and price/style |
| Cartridge removed, part number visible | Enter it at Pfister’s parts page, or search by appearance and dimensions |
| Cartridge removed, no readable number | Photograph from multiple angles and send to Pfister’s “Ask a Question” support |
| Brand still unconfirmed | Rule out Delta, Moen, and Kohler with their identifier tools before assuming Pfister |
| Repeated wrong orders or corroded trim | Consider replacing the whole faucet instead of continuing to chase the part |
When to Call a Plumber for Cartridge Identification
Some situations are worth the cost of a short visit rather than more guessing. Call a plumber when the shutoff valves won’t fully close, when the retaining nut or cartridge is seized in place, when the valve is behind finished wall tile, or when the faucet is the only working fixture in the kitchen or bath and you can’t risk being wrong twice.
HomeGuide reports plumbers charge $45 to $150 per hour on average, with a minimum service call-out fee or flat rate of $50 to $200 that usually covers the first hour. HomeGuide A focused identification-only visit — where the plumber confirms the part number and you order it yourself, or they bring the part along — will generally land closer to that service-call minimum than a full repair invoice. HomeGuide
A plumber visit is especially worth it on an older Price Pfister unit if the model number has worn away and the cartridge is behind a seized valve, since disassembly risk goes up right when the information you need is hardest to get.
What to Do Next
Once you’ve confirmed your price pfister faucet cartridge part number, order the genuine part from Pfister Replacement Parts or a trusted plumbing supplier, and check whether the listing calls out hot or cold — many widespread faucets use separate cartridges for each side.
If you’re still not sure the faucet is a Pfister at all, our guide to identifying faucet brand and model covers the brand-level identification step across Delta, Moen, Kohler, and Pfister. And for a deeper look at newer Pfister-branded cartridge families, series codes, and shower-valve identification, see how to identify your Pfister faucet cartridge.
Ready to do the actual repair once the part is confirmed? The Complete Guide to Faucet Repair covers the four faucet types, the most common failure modes, and when to stop and call a plumber.
Is Price Pfister the same brand as Pfister?
Yes — Price Pfister is the earlier name of the same company now sold and supported as Pfister. Both names route to the same parts-support system at pfisterfaucets.com, so an older “Price Pfister” faucet uses the same identification and ordering process as a newer “Pfister” one.
Where do I find the model number on a Price Pfister faucet?
Check the box or instruction manual first — Pfister prints an 8-character model code there, just below the product name. No paperwork? Look under the sink at the faucet shank underside, a supply-line hang-tag, or the back of the spout body.
What does the number on my removed cartridge mean if it’s not the faucet’s model number?
It’s the cartridge’s own part number, which is a separate code from the faucet’s model number. Pfister’s cartridge search lets you look up a removed cartridge by that part number or by matching its appearance and dimensions on the parts page.
Can I use an aftermarket cartridge instead of a genuine Pfister part?
Aftermarket cartridges from suppliers like Danco are available for many common Price Pfister models and often cost less than OEM parts. Confirm the exact cross-reference match first — a close-but-not-exact aftermarket cartridge can leak at the seal.
What if I can’t find any markings on the faucet or the cartridge at all?
Photograph the whole faucet and the removed cartridge from multiple angles and send them to Pfister’s support team through their “Ask a Question” page — they specifically ask for a wide shot and a close-up to identify parts from photos.
When does it make more sense to replace the faucet than keep chasing the cartridge?
When the brand, model, and cartridge generation all stay uncertain after trying the steps above, when the trim is corroded enough that further disassembly risks damage, or when a second wrong cartridge order would approach the cost of a new faucet plus installation.
Sources
- Pfister FAQs — cartridge identification workflow, model-number format, catalog filtering
- Pfister Replacement Parts — parts categories and model-number lookup
- Pfister Ask a Question — photo requirements for parts identification
- Delta Find Parts and Identify Your Product
- Moen Parts — model-number locations and replacement-parts workflow
- Kohler Support — Identify My Product and KOHLER Scout
- Danco — cross-brand plumbing repair parts
- Danco Leaky Faucet Guide — stem-and-cartridge selector
- 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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- Danco Pfister Replacement Cartridge (Hot or Cold) — Danco makes OEM-compatible aftermarket cartridges for many Price Pfister single-handle and widespread faucets — a practical fallback when the OEM part ships slow. Confirm the cross-reference match before ordering.
- Pfister Genuine Replacement Cartridge — Search for genuine Pfister/Price Pfister cartridges on Amazon — confirm the exact part number from your faucet’s parts diagram first so you order the right one.
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