Calculate total pump/tank head from elevation and friction loss, converted to pressure.
How to Use the Water Head Calculator
Enter the "Elevation Height (m)" between the pump/source and the tank/outlet.
Enter any additional "Friction Loss (m)" from pipe resistance, or leave it at 0.
Click "Calculate" to see the total head and equivalent pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Head is the equivalent height of a water column that represents a given pressure — here it combines the static elevation difference between the pump/source and the tank/outlet, plus any additional friction loss head from pipe resistance.
Pressure (bar) = Total Head (m) × 0.09804, since roughly 10.2 metres of water head equals 1 bar of pressure.
Pumps are rated by how much total head they can overcome. If your elevation + friction losses exceed the pump's rated head, it won't deliver adequate flow at the outlet.
Yes, it's completely free and requires no sign-up.