A bridge faucet has two handles joined by a horizontal pipe above the counter, with the spout rising from the middle. A gooseneck faucet is named for its tall, arched spout, usually on a single-hole base. Choose a bridge faucet for a classic two-handle look over a wide sink, and a gooseneck for a smaller sink, a single hole or the most room under the spout. Many bridge faucets also have a gooseneck spout, so the choice isn't always either-or.
What is a bridge faucet?
A bridge kitchen faucet sets the hot and cold handles on two separate posts and links them with an exposed pipe, the bridge, above the countertop. The spout sits at the center of the bridge, and the hot and cold water mix inside the bridge before they reach the spout. The design dates back to around the turn of the 20th century, which is why it looks at home in farmhouse, traditional and English country kitchens.
Most bridge faucets need two holes in the sink or counter; most of ours are set 8 inches apart, and several also come with a 6-inch spread. A side sprayer or a separate cold-water faucet each needs one more hole. Our bridge faucets stand about 17 to 18 inches tall with a spout reach of 7 to 8½ inches, and some models offer a 10-inch reach.
What is a gooseneck faucet?
Gooseneck describes the spout: a high arch that curves down toward the sink, leaving plenty of room for tall pots. You'll find it on single-hole faucets, on three-hole widespread faucets and on some bridge faucets. Many gooseneck spouts swivel, so you can move the water from one side of the sink to the other.
In our kitchen collection, the gooseneck kitchen faucet stands about 13 inches tall with an 8-inch reach and a spout that turns 360 degrees, and the gooseneck bar faucet is a compact 11 inches with a 6.5-inch reach for bar and prep sinks. For a pull-down spray, our pull-down kitchen faucet pairs a swiveling gooseneck with a pull-down sprayer, at 17 inches tall with a 7-inch reach.
Bridge vs gooseneck faucet at a glance
| Bridge faucet | Gooseneck faucet | |
|---|---|---|
| Holes | Usually 2, often 8 inches apart, plus 1 for a side sprayer | Usually 1; widespread versions need 3 |
| Handles | Two, one for hot and one for cold | One or two |
| Footprint | Wide: the handles sit about 8 inches apart | Compact on a single-hole base |
| Spray | Usually a side sprayer | Side sprayer or, on some models, pull-down |
| Cleaning | More surfaces to wipe around the bridge | Fewer surfaces |
| Suits | Farmhouse, apron-front and wide single-bowl sinks | Small to medium sinks, bar and prep sinks |
Pros and cons of a bridge faucet
Pros
- A strong focal point over a farmhouse or apron-front sink.
- Separate hot and cold handles make small temperature adjustments easy.
- Tall spouts and long reach cover large sinks.
- Our side sprayers run hot and cold water and have their own control.
Cons
- It needs two or three holes, so it won't fit a single-hole sink without changes.
- Setting the temperature takes two hands, or one handle at a time.
- The bridge and posts add surfaces to wipe.
- At 17 to 18 inches tall, it needs clearance under shelves and windows.
Pros and cons of a gooseneck faucet
Pros
- It fits a single hole and leaves more counter free.
- The high arch makes filling tall pots easy.
- There are fewer surfaces to clean.
- Some models come with a pull-down sprayer.
Cons
- A tall spout over a shallow sink can splash, so match the height to the bowl.
- Single-handle versions mix hot and cold with one lever, which some people find less precise.
- On a large farmhouse sink, a single gooseneck can look small.
How to choose: measure these five things
- Holes. Count the holes in your sink or counter and measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Bridge faucets most often need two holes 8 inches apart; a single hole points to a gooseneck.
- Reach. Measure from the faucet holes to the center of the sink bowl. The water should land near the drain, so pick a spout reach close to that distance. Large farmhouse sinks often need 8 inches or more.
- Height. Check what sits above the sink, such as a window sill, a shelf or cabinets, and allow for the full height of the faucet.
- Space behind. Make sure the handles can turn freely in front of the backsplash or window.
- Spray. Decide between a side sprayer, which needs its own hole, and a pull-down spout.
If you're also planning a pot filler over the range, our pot filler height guide shows where to put it, and we make pot fillers in the same unlacquered brass.
Which looks right in your kitchen?
A bridge faucet is the classic partner for an apron-front sink, such as a hammered copper farmhouse sink, and for kitchens with cross or lever handles elsewhere. A gooseneck suits a prep sink, a bar or a smaller kitchen, and a single-hole gooseneck keeps a narrow counter uncluttered. Both look at home in unlacquered brass, which darkens over time; see lacquered vs unlacquered brass if you're still deciding on the finish.
FAQ
Can a bridge faucet have a gooseneck spout?
Yes. Many bridge faucets use a high, arched gooseneck spout. “Bridge” describes how the handles connect; “gooseneck” describes the shape of the spout.
Do bridge faucets need a side sprayer?
No. A side sprayer is optional and needs its own hole. Many of our bridge faucets come with or without one.
Can I replace a single-hole faucet with a bridge faucet?
Only if you can add holes. That means drilling the counter or the sink, which isn't possible with every material. If you can't, a single-hole gooseneck is the simpler choice.
Are bridge faucets hard to install?
No harder than other two-handle faucets. Most of ours come with ceramic cartridges, an aerator, pre-attached supply lines and the mounting hardware, and our installation videos walk you or your plumber through each step.
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