Chrome single-handle tub and shower control with a round wall plate above a tub spout on white subway tile

Faucet & shower cartridges

Moen cartridges: which one do you have?

5 sources checked

Quick answer

For a single-handle Moen shower, the fastest clue is what the handle does, and you can check it without taking anything apart. Rotate-only means a Posi-Temp valve and the 1222. Pull out to turn on means a Standard or Moentrol valve and the 1225. Temperature markings on the trim point to M-Core: 1212 if it only rotates, 1213 if it also pulls out.

Our diagram, based on the handle-operation columns in Moen's shower cartridge chart and the rotation figures from Moen 101.

The handle test (single-handle showers)

Handle does this	Valve type (Moen's name)	Cartridge
Only rotates. No pull or push. Turning it starts the water and changes temperature.	Posi-Temp (pressure-balanced, no volume control)	1222
Pull out to turn on and push in to turn off. Rotate to change temperature.	Standard (volume control) or Moentrol (volume control plus pressure balance)	1225
Rotate only, and the trim has temperature indicators	M-Core 2 Series	1212
Push/pull for on/off and volume, rotate for temperature, with temperature indicators on the trim	M-Core 3 Series	1213

Moen's own chart groups them this way. It also tells Standard, Moentrol and Posi-Temp apart by how the escutcheon (wall plate) screws are placed, and it shows photos for that. The handle motion is the easier test.

Two- and three-handle showers

Moen's shower chart lists the 1224 for two- and three-handle tub/shower valves, where the hot and cold handles control flow. On three-handle valves, the middle diverter is a separate part. Moen lists 94543 for valves made before 2010 and 116719 for valves made after.

Vertical spa and ExactTemp valves

These systems use more than one cartridge, one behind each handle. On the 1/2" ExactTemp vertical spa (2000 to 2006), Moen lists the 103674 thermostatic cartridge behind the upper handle and the 1248 flow cartridge behind the lower handle. 3/4" ExactTemp systems use different parts before and after 2009 (130156/130157 before, 147208/147210 after). Check Moen's chart before ordering.

Older brass cartridges

If you pull out an all-brass single-handle cartridge, it is probably the original 1200. Moen says the 1225 can replace it.

Moen part pages on this site

Moen 1222 (Posi-Temp)Rotate-only, pressure-balanced shower valves.
Moen 1225Push/pull showers (Standard and Moentrol), plus older one-handle kitchen and bath faucets.
Moen 1200The original brass one-handle cartridge.
Moen 1248Two-handle Roman tub valves, and the lower handle on 1/2" ExactTemp spas.
Moen 1222 vs 1225The side-by-side comparison, per Moen's documents.

Kitchen and bathroom sinks: Moen's article index has separate pages for the 1255 (single-handle bathroom faucets after 2009) and the 1225 (bathroom faucets before 2009). Faucet age decides which one you need, so check your model's documentation.

Sources

Fetched and checked 2026-10-21. Part numbers change; confirm against your own valve and the maker before buying.