Interactive Calculator · 2026
Pump Head Calculator
Work out the total dynamic head (TDH) a pump must overcome. Add the vertical lift, the pipe friction, a fittings allowance and the pressure you need at the outlet — the result is the head figure you feed straight into a pump-size calculator.
The four components that add up to total dynamic head (m)
Your head components
Vertical rise from the water source to the delivery point.
Head lost to friction along the straight pipe run.
Residual pressure you need at the top — 1 bar ≈ 10.2 m of head.
Allowance for bends, valves and tees, taken as a percentage of the friction loss.
What makes up the total head
Static lift, friction, fittings and residual pressure stack up to the head the pump must deliver.
Adding the four components gives a total dynamic head of 26.8 m (2.63 bar). This is the head the pump has to generate at your design flow — not just the vertical distance the water travels.
Feed this TDH plus your flow into a pump-size calculator, then confirm the working point against the manufacturer's pump curve.
How this is calculated
- Fittings loss = friction × (allowance ÷ 100) = 4 × (20 ÷ 100) = 0.8 m.
- Total dynamic head = static lift + friction + fittings + residual = 12 + 4 + 0.8 + 10 = 26.8 m.
- In bar = TDH × 0.0981 = 26.8 × 0.0981 = 2.63 bar.
Indicative sizing for concept planning. A detailed selection must also fix NPSH, the full system curve and accurate friction losses from pipe size and length — confirm with a qualified consultant or manufacturer data before procurement.
Frequently asked questions
- What is total dynamic head and how does this calculator work it out?
- Total dynamic head, or TDH, is the total resistance a pump has to overcome to move water from the source to the outlet. This tool adds four parts: the static lift (vertical rise), the pipe friction loss, a fittings allowance and the residual pressure you want at the tap. The fittings allowance is taken as a percentage of the friction loss, then all four are summed to give TDH in metres, which is also shown in bar.
- What values should I enter for lift, friction and outlet pressure?
- Static lift is the vertical height from the water level to the highest delivery point. Friction loss depends on pipe size and length, so use a friction chart or start with a rough estimate of a few metres for a typical house. Set outlet pressure by how much you want at the tap, remembering 1 bar is about 10.2 metres of head. The fittings slider allows for bends, valves and tees, and 10 to 30 percent of the friction loss is a common starting range.
- How accurate is this and what should I verify before buying a pump?
- Treat the result as indicative sizing for concept planning, not a final specification. Real friction losses depend on exact pipe diameter, length and material, and a proper selection must also fix the suction condition and the full system curve. Take the TDH here plus your design flow, then confirm the working point against the manufacturer pump curve and, where needed, a qualified plumbing consultant before you procure.
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