How to Calculate Pump Head — Formula, Example, and Free Pump Sizing Tool

1. Introduction

Selecting the right pump is impossible unless you know the required pump head. Incorrect calculations lead to low flow, frequent pump failures, and high energy costs.
In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What pump head means

• The formula for total dynamic head (TDH)

• A simple example

• And you’ll use our free Pump Sizing Tool to calculate head & power instantly.

Let’s begin.

2. What is Pump Head?

Pump head is the height (in meters or feet) to which a pump can raise a fluid.
It includes:

• Static head

• Friction losses

• Pressure head

• Velocity head

In simple terms:
👉 Total pump head = total resistance the pump must overcome to move the fluid.

It is the most important parameter when selecting a centrifugal pump.

3. Formula for Pump Head (Total Dynamic Head – TDH)

TDH = Static Head + Friction Losses + Pressure Head + Velocity Head

Where:

• Static Head = height difference between source and destination

• Friction Losses = losses in pipes, bends, valves

• Pressure Head = (P₂ – P₁) / (ρg)

• Velocity Head = v² / (2g)

For most practical engineering problems:
👉 Velocity Head is small and often ignored.

4. Example Calculation

Problem:

Water is pumped from a tank 5 m below ground to a tank 18 m above ground.
Pipe friction losses = 7 m
Pressure difference = 1 bar

Solution:

1. Static Head = 18 – (–5) = 23 m

2. Friction Loss = 7 m

3. Pressure Head = (1 bar × 10 m) = 10 m

TDH = 23 + 7 + 10 = 40 m

So the pump must provide 40 meters of head.

5. Use Our Free Pump Sizing Tool

Skip the manual calculations.
👉 Try our free Pump Sizing Tool to automatically calculate:

✓ Total Head
✓ Power Required
✓ Flow Estimate

6. Recommended Tools

These tools help with pump installation, testing, and troubleshooting.

1️⃣ Best Digital Manometer (for pressure measurement)

✔ Quick pressure reading
✔ Ideal for pump discharge testing
✔ Lightweight & accurate
👉 Visit Product Page

2️⃣ Vibration Analyzer (for pump diagnostics)

✔ Detects misalignment & bearing issues
✔ Reduces downtime
👉 Visit Product Page

3️⃣ Flow Rate Tester (clamp-on ultrasonic)

✔ No cutting pipes
✔ Fast flow measurement on-site
👉 Visit Product Page

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What units are used for pump head?

Usually in meters (m) or feet (ft).

Q2. Does pump head depend on pipe diameter?

Yes—smaller pipe = higher friction = more head required.

Q3. Is higher pump head always better?

No. Oversized pumps cause noise, energy loss, and early failure.

8. Conclusion

Correct pump head calculation ensures the pump delivers adequate flow, avoids overheating, and stays efficient for years.
Use the formula explained above or the Pump Sizing Calculator for fast and accurate results.

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