Pump Total Dynamic Head & Power Calculator
Calculate TDH from static head and friction loss, then the hydraulic and shaft power required.
Last reviewed by the myCalculator Editorial Team
Input Parameters
Vertical elevation difference between the source water level and the discharge point.
150 for new PVC, 140 for HDPE, 120 for typical polyethylene, 100 for aged steel.
Typical centrifugal pump efficiency is 0.60 to 0.80 at the best efficiency point.
Calculation Results
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Formula & How Pump Total Dynamic Head & Power Calculator Works
Total dynamic head is the sum of the static lift and the friction losses the pump must overcome at the design flow. Friction head is estimated with the Hazen-Williams equation, which scales strongly with velocity and inversely with the 4.87 power of pipe diameter — so moving up one pipe size typically collapses friction loss. Shaft power then follows from the hydraulic power divided by pump efficiency. Worked example: pumping 200 L/min (0.00333 m³/s) through 80 m of 50 mm pipe with a Hazen-Williams C of 120 gives a friction head of about 6.8 m. Adding the 15 m static head gives a total dynamic head of about 21.8 m. At a pump efficiency of 70%, the shaft power is 1,000 × 9.81 × 0.00333 × 21.8 ÷ 1,000 ÷ 0.7 = about 1.0 kW. Allow a margin for pipe ageing, fittings and motor losses when selecting a pump.
- Enter Static Head (m) (m): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Total Pipe Length (m) (m): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Pipe Internal Diameter (mm) (mm): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Required Flow Rate (L/min) (L/min): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Hazen-Williams Roughness Coefficient C (C): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Pump Efficiency (0–1): Input your target parameter value.
- Apply Formula: Calculate using
TDH = Static Head + Friction Head | P_shaft = ρ g Q H / (1000 × η) kW. - Review Results: View exact computed answers, metrics, and worked mathematical proofs.
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MyCalculator.com.au. (2026). Pump Total Dynamic Head & Power Calculator. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.mycalculator.com.au/calculators/engineering/pump-tdh-power
MyCalculator.com.au. (2026) 'Pump Total Dynamic Head & Power Calculator'. Available at: https://www.mycalculator.com.au/calculators/engineering/pump-tdh-power (Accessed: 24 October 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between static head and total dynamic head?
Static head is the vertical lift alone. Total dynamic head adds the friction losses through pipe, fittings and valves at the design flow rate, and is the figure used to select a pump curve.
What pipe velocity should I design for?
Keep suction velocity below about 1.5 m/s and discharge velocity between 1.5 and 2.5 m/s. Higher velocities sharply increase friction loss and the risk of water hammer.
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Authoritative Standards & Verified Reference Citations
Calculations and mathematical logic on this page are grounded in published statutory rules, regulatory standards, and official government data published by the following bodies:
Australian Standards including AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules), AS 3600 (Concrete Structures), and AS 4100 (Steel Structures).
Accreditation and technical guidelines for civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
Dedicated Australian home loans, borrowing capacity, mortgage repayments & refinance modeling.