Calculate static head pressure in psi, kPa or bar from the height of a water or other liquid column, or find the head in feet or metres from a pressure.

Find the gauge pressure from a vertical liquid column.

Vertical elevation difference, not pipe length.

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Static Head Formula

The following hydrostatic relation converts a liquid pressure difference to an equivalent vertical head. It does not determine a pump’s total dynamic head or operating point.

h = (Δ P) / (ρ g) SH (ft) ≈ (2.306659 PSI) / (SG)
  • Where SH is the equivalent static head in feet; h is head in meters
  • PSI is the gauge pressure difference in pounds per square inch; ΔP is that pressure difference in pascals, ρ is liquid density in kg/m³, g = 9.80665 m/s², and SG = ρ / 1,000

To calculate the equivalent static head in feet, multiply pressure in psi by approximately 2.306659 and divide by the liquid’s specific gravity.

The water model uses a reference density of 1,000 kg/m³ and standard gravity. Other liquids use their specific gravity relative to that reference density; fluid presets are approximate.

For the reference-water model, SG is 1, so division by SG does not change the result.

What is static head?

Static head is the vertical elevation difference of a liquid column, typically expressed in feet or meters. A pressure difference can also be expressed as an equivalent liquid head.

The hydrostatic pressure difference is determined by liquid density, gravity, and vertical head. Pump sizing also requires system losses and operating conditions; this calculator does not calculate total dynamic head.

How to calculate static head?

The following example problem outlines the information and steps needed to calculate a static head.

First, determine the specific gravity of the liquid. This example uses the reference-water model, so SG is 1.

Next, determine the pressure difference due to the liquid column in pounds per square inch.

In the case of this example, the pounds per square inch is found to be 50 psi.

Finally, calculate the static head using the formula above:

SH (ft) ≈ PSI × 2.30665872585 / SG

SH ≈ 50 × 2.30665872585 / 1

SH ≈ 115.33294 ft, or about 115.33 ft.