Pump head calculator

Calculate total dynamic head for pump selection

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The Pump Head Calculator helps mechanical and plumbing engineers determine total dynamic head (TDH) requirements for pump selection. Calculate TDH by combining static head, friction losses, and required pressure.

Total dynamic head is the total pressure a pump must overcome to move fluid through a system. It includes elevation differences (static head), pipe friction losses, and required operating pressure at the discharge point.

Enter static head (elevation difference), friction losses, and required pressure to calculate total dynamic head. The calculator helps select appropriately sized pumps and ensures systems have adequate pressure for proper operation.

Features

Everything you need

Total dynamic head calculation
Static head component
Friction loss inclusion
Pressure head conversion
Visual head diagram
Pump selection support
Imperial and metric units

How it works

Simple workflow

1
Enter static head (elevation difference)
2
Input friction losses in pipe system
3
Specify required discharge pressure
4
Review calculated total dynamic head
5
Select pump with adequate head capacity

Use cases

Built for real-world scenarios

Pump selection

Determine pump head requirements for water supply, HVAC, and process systems.

System design

Calculate head requirements during system design to ensure adequate pump capacity.

Retrofit analysis

Evaluate existing pump capacity when modifying or expanding systems.

Energy efficiency

Optimize pump selection to minimize energy consumption while meeting head requirements.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

TDH = Static Head + Friction Loss + Pressure Head. Static head is elevation difference, friction loss is pressure drop in pipes, and pressure head is required discharge pressure converted to head.

Head (ft) = Pressure (psi) × 2.31 for water. Or Head (m) = Pressure (bar) × 10.2. This conversion accounts for fluid density.

Static head is the vertical elevation difference the pump must overcome, measured from pump inlet to highest discharge point. It's independent of flow rate.

Friction loss depends on pipe size, length, flow rate, and pipe material. Use friction loss charts, Hazen-Williams equation, or pipe sizing software. Typical: 1-5 ft per 100 ft of pipe.

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