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Mechanical Engineering2D

Pump Head Calculator

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

Inputs
Enter your values below
Result
Total Dynamic Head (TDH)
—
Enter values and click Calculate
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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.

How This Calculator Works

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

Step-by-step process:

  1. Enter your input values in the calculator above
  2. The engine converts all inputs to SI base units (meters, kg, Pa)
  3. The formula is evaluated: elevation + pressure / (density * 9.81) + friction
  4. Result is formatted with the appropriate unit and precision

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

Unit Conversion for Pump Head

**Head units**

- 1 m = 3.28084 ft

- 1 ft = 0.3048 m

- 1 m water head ≈ 9.81 kPa ≈ 0.0981 bar

**Pressure units**

- 1 bar = 100 kPa = 14.5038 psi

- 1 psi = 6.8948 kPa

**Flow units**

- 1 m³/h = 0.2778 L/s = 4.403 US gpm

Total dynamic head (TDH) = static head + friction head + velocity head. Keep all head terms in the same length unit (m or ft) before summing.

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.

How do I convert head between meters and feet?

Multiply meters by 3.28084 to get feet. For example, 20 m head = 65.6 ft. Pump curves are often given in feet for imperial systems and meters for metric systems, so convert before comparing.

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Deepen Your Knowledge

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Engineering Disclaimer: Calculations are for reference and educational purposes only. Always verify results independently for engineering design. See full disclaimer.
Reviewed by: Industrial Engineering Team
References: ASME B31.3, ASTM A36, Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook