Flow Rate Calculator

Calculate volumetric flow rate, fluid velocity and pipe flow. Essential for fluid mechanics and hydraulic system design.

Calculation Method:

Pipe Diameter:

Fluid Velocity:

Understanding Flow Rate Calculations

Flow rate is a fundamental concept in fluid mechanics that measures the volume of fluid passing through a given point per unit time. Let's explore how to calculate it step by step.

Flow Rate Formula

For pipe flow calculations:

\[ Q = A \times v \]

Where:

Q = Volumetric flow rate (cubic feet per second, ft³/s)
A = Cross-sectional area of pipe (square feet, ft²)
v = Fluid velocity (feet per second, ft/s)

For volume-time calculations:

\[ Q = \frac{Volume}{Time} \]

Calculation Steps

Convert all measurements to consistent units (typically feet and seconds)
For pipe flow: Calculate cross-sectional area using \( A = \pi r^2 \)
Apply the appropriate flow rate formula
Verify units and check result reasonableness

Example Calculation

Problem:

Calculate the flow rate through a pipe with:

Pipe diameter = 6 inches (0.5 feet)
Fluid velocity = 10 feet per second

Solution:

Calculate pipe radius: \[ r = \frac{0.5 \text{ ft}}{2} = 0.25 \text{ ft} \]
Calculate cross-sectional area: \[ A = \pi r^2 = \pi (0.25)^2 = 0.196 \text{ ft}^2 \]
Calculate flow rate: \[ Q = A \times v = 0.196 \text{ ft}^2 \times 10 \text{ ft/s} = 1.96 \text{ ft}^3/\text{s} \]

Flow Rate Calculator