Water hydraulics
Pressure to head
- where
- head (m)
- pressure difference (Pa; any unit you pick is converted)
- fluid density (kg/m³)
- gravitational acceleration (m/s²)
Explain this equation
Converts a pressure into the equivalent height of fluid. Use it to compare a pressure reading with a pump head or static height.
Δp is the pressure difference. ρ is the fluid density. g is gravitational acceleration, 9.80665 m/s². h is the height of fluid column that would give that pressure.
It is the static head equation turned around: pressure divided by the weight of a cubic metre of fluid gives height.
Sense check: 1 bar of water is about 10.2 m head. A fluid with lower density gives a taller head for the same pressure.
Watch out: use the density of the actual fluid, especially with glycol.
Enter your values to see the result.
Good to know
Use the density of the actual fluid.
Sources
Results are arithmetic only. Worked examples are not recommended design settings. This library does not provide automatic gas pipe selection, live gas tightness tests, purging procedures, combustion acceptance limits, installation approval or commissioning certification. Manufacturer data and the applicable current method remain essential.