Mechanical EngineeringP0

Pump Head Calculator

Calculate pump total dynamic head from elevation, pressure, and friction losses.

Inputs

Enter your values below

Static Elevation Lift*m

Discharge Pressure Rise*kPa

Fluid Density*kg/m³

System Friction Loss*m

Result

Total Dynamic Head (TDH)

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Enter values and click Calculate

Formula

elevation + pressure ÷ (density × 9.81) + friction

Result unit: m

TDH = H_static + ΔP/(ρg) + h_friction. Engine converts kPa→Pa for the pressure term automatically.

Introduction

Total Dynamic Head (TDH) is the total equivalent head a pump must provide to overcome elevation, system pressure, and friction losses. This is the primary parameter for selecting a pump from manufacturer curves.

Calculation Example

20m lift + 100 kPa pressure (10.2m) + 5m friction = 35.2m TDH.

Inputs: elevation=20, pressure=100, density=1000, friction=5

Result: 35.2 m

Engineering Applications

•Pump selection
•Hydronic system design
•Booster pump sizing
•Irrigation design

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between static head and dynamic head?

Static head is elevation difference only. Dynamic head includes all losses: elevation + pressure + friction + velocity head.

Do I need to add velocity head?

Velocity head (v²/2g) is usually negligible (0.1-0.5m) compared to other heads and is omitted in most practical calculations.

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Disclaimer: Calculations are for reference and educational purposes only. Always verify results independently for engineering design. See full disclaimer.