Pipe Flow Calculator
Calculate pressure drop, Reynolds number, and friction factor for pipe flow
How to use Pipe Flow Calculator
- 1Enter the pipe inner diameter, pipe length, and roughness for the material.
- 2Provide the fluid properties: density and dynamic viscosity, plus either flow rate or pressure drop.
- 3Review the Reynolds number, friction factor, head loss, and velocity.
Pressure drop in pipe flow
Head loss = f × (L/D) × (v^2 / (2g)); Reynolds number = ρ × v × D / μThe Reynolds number tells you whether the flow is laminar, transitional, or turbulent.
The Darcy friction factor depends on Reynolds number and pipe roughness; it links velocity to pressure drop.
Head loss is the energy lost per unit weight of fluid due to friction along the pipe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Darcy and Fanning friction factor?
Darcy-Weisbach uses the Darcy friction factor, which is four times the Fanning friction factor.
Can I use this for gases?
Yes for incompressible approximations; for long pipelines or high pressure drops, compressible flow corrections are needed.
Does the calculator include minor losses from fittings?
No; it computes major frictional losses only. Add fitting losses separately using loss coefficients.
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