Enter the elevation head, friction head loss, and pressure head into the calculator to determine the total dynamic head (TDH).

TDH – Total Dynamic Head – Formula

The following formula is used to calculate a total dynamic head:

TDH = PH + FLH + EH

  • Where TDH is the total dynamic head (ft)
  • PH is the pressure head (ft)
  • FLH is the friction head loss (ft)
  • EH is the elevation head

TDH Definintion

TDH, short for the total dynamic head, is the total head loss that a pump must overcome in order to move and pump water.

The total head loss has three components:

Elevation Head: The amount of head/pressure the pump needs to overcome due to the elevation of the system

Pressure Head: The amount of head the pump needs to overcome due to pressure.

Friction Loss Head: The head created due to friction of the water flow in the pipes.

Example Problem

How to calculate the total dynamic head?

First, determine the elevation head. For this example, the pump must overcome 100 ft of elevation.

Next, determine the pressure head. In this case, the pressure head is found to be 12ft.

Next, determine the friction loss head. The total friction loss is an equivalent head of 10ft.

Finally, calculate the TDH using the formula above:

TDH = PH + FLH + EH

TDH = 100 + 12 + 10

TDH = 122 ft of total head