Enter the cross-sectional area and the fluid velocity into the calculator to determine the discharge rate.

## Discharge Formula

The following formula is used to calculate a discharge rate.

Q = V * A

• Where Q is the discharge rate
• V is the velocity of the fluid
• A is the area of the opening the fluid is moving through

## Discharge Definition

A discharge is defined as the total rate of fluid moving through an opening, or discharging from that opening.

## Discharge Example

How to calculate discharge?

1. First, determine the velocity.

Measure the velocity of the fluid. For this example, we will say the velocity is 20 m/s.

2. Next, determine the area.

Calculate the cross-sectional area the fluid is moving through. We will say this is 20 m^2 for this example.

3. Finally, calculate the discharge.

Using the formula we find the discharge rate to be 20*20 = 400 m^3/s.

## FAQ

What is a discharge?

Discharge is most often used to describe the volumetric flow rate of a fluid through an opening. In other words, how much of fluid is moving through an area every second.