Studio Matrx Monthly · Volume 1 · Issue 2 · July 2026
Amogh N P
 In loving memory of Amogh N P — Architect · Designer · Visionary 

Interactive Calculator · 2026

Pump Size Calculator

Size a pump from flow and head. Enter the flow rate, the total head it must lift against and the pump efficiency — get the shaft power in kW, the hydraulic power in HP and the motor rating to specify.

Required shaft power (at 65% efficiency)0.00 kW0.00 HP hydraulic · specify a 3 HP motor

Hydraulic power → recommended motor rating (with 20% margin)

1

Your duty point

Volume the pump must deliver per hour.

Static lift plus friction losses.

65%

Wire-to-water efficiency of the pump — typical centrifugal pumps sit around 60–75%.

Shaft power
0.00 kW
Hydraulic power
0.00 HP
Recommended motor
0 HP

Hydraulic power vs motor rating

The motor is sized above the hydraulic duty so it never runs at 100% load.

The hydraulic power is what the water actually needs. Motors are picked one standard frame up — here a 3 HP motor — so the pump runs comfortably inside its rating with headroom for start-up and viscosity swings.

Always confirm the motor against the manufacturer's pump curve at your exact duty point.

How this is calculated

  • Shaft power = (9.81 × flow × head) ÷ (3600 × efficiency) = (9.81 × 20 × 15) ÷ (3600 × 0.65) = 1.26 kW.
  • Hydraulic power = shaft power × 1.341 = 1.26 × 1.341 = 1.69 HP.
  • Recommended motor = ⌈hydraulic power × 1.2⌉ = ⌈1.69 × 1.2⌉ = 3 HP.

Indicative sizing for concept planning. A detailed selection must also fix NPSH, the system curve and starting method — confirm with a qualified consultant before procurement.