Pump Head Calculator

Calculate pump head, total dynamic head, vertical lift, pressure head, suction lift, friction head, and pump horsepower. Use this calculator for booster pumps, well pumps, transfer pumps, irrigation pumps, sump pumps, and general water pump planning.

Calculate Pump Head

Total Dynamic Head = Vertical Lift + Pressure Head + Suction Lift + Friction Head.
Your result will appear here.

How the pump head calculator works

Total dynamic head:
The calculator adds vertical lift, pressure head, suction lift, and friction head.

Pressure to head:
The calculator converts PSI, bar, kPa, feet of head, or meters of head into pump head.

Friction head:
The calculator estimates friction head from flow rate, pipe length, pipe diameter, and fittings.

Pump horsepower:
The calculator estimates horsepower from GPM, total head, and pump efficiency.

Why use a pump head calculator?

A pump head calculator helps estimate the total resistance a pump must overcome before selecting a pump.

It can help compare lift, pressure head, suction lift, friction loss, total dynamic head, horsepower, and pump capacity margin.

What your result means

Your result shows estimated total pump head and related values. This is a planning estimate only. Actual pump performance depends on the pump curve, pipe material, valves, fittings, suction conditions, water temperature, system layout, and the required duty point.

Pump head formulas

Frequently asked questions

What is pump head?

Pump head is the height or resistance a pump must overcome to move water. It is usually measured in feet of head or meters of head.

What is total dynamic head?

Total dynamic head includes vertical lift, pressure head, suction lift, and friction losses from pipe, valves, and fittings.

How do you convert PSI to feet of head?

Multiply PSI by 2.31 to estimate feet of head for water.

Is this pump head calculator exact?

No. This calculator gives a planning estimate. Final pump selection should use the actual system layout and manufacturer pump performance curve.