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Plumbing Pipe Size Calculator

Find the right pipe diameter for a given water flow rate, using the standard flow-velocity engineering formula.

Project Details

Result

Recommended pipe size20mm (3/4")
Calculated diameter17.8 mm
Flow rate used30 L/min
Design velocity2 m/s

Uses the standard flow-continuity formula D = √(4Q ⁄ πV). Rounded up to the nearest standard commercial pipe size — never down, so flow isn't restricted.

The formula: D = √(4Q ÷ πV)

This is the exact fluid-mechanics continuity equation relating flow rate (Q), pipe cross-sectional area, and flow velocity (V) — it's how pipe diameters are sized in any plumbing or hydraulic system, not a rule of thumb.

Why design velocity matters

Water moving too fast through a pipe causes noise, water-hammer, and erosion at fittings over time; too slow wastes pipe material and money. 1.5–2.5 m/s is the standard target range for residential water supply pipework — pick 1.5 m/s for pipework near bedrooms where noise matters more.

Estimating your required flow rate

As a rough reference: a single bathroom group (basin + shower + WC) typically needs 25–35 L/min of simultaneous supply capacity; a kitchen tap needs about 10–15 L/min. For a whole house, add up the groups likely to run at the same time rather than every fixture in the house — not all fixtures run simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions