Calculate the Total Dynamic Head (TDH) required for your pump system quickly and accurately using the Pumps Africa Total Dynamic Head Calculator.

Whether you are selecting a borehole pumps, booster pumps, centrifugal pumps, irrigation pump or industrial water pump, understanding Total Dynamic Head is one of the most important steps in choosing the correct pump.

Use the calculator above to determine the total head requirement of your system, including static lift, pressure requirements and friction losses.

What Is Total Dynamic Head?

Total Dynamic Head (TDH) is the total amount of energy a pump must provide to move water from the source to the discharge point at the required flow rate.

TDH is measured in meters and represents the combined effect of:

• Static head
• Pressure head
• Friction Loss
• Pipe fitting losses
• Valve losses

The calculated TDH allows engineers, installers and pump users to match a pump’s performance curve to the actual requirements of the system.

Selecting a pump without calculating TDH can result in:

• Insufficient flow
• Excessive Energy Consumption
• Premature pump failure
• Excessive wear on pipes and valves
• Increased maintenance costs

Total Dynamic Head Formula

The basic TDH equation is:

TDH = Static Head + Pressure Head + Friction Losses + Fitting Losses

Where:

Static Head

Static head is the vertical distance the water must travel.

This includes:

• Dynamic water level in a borehole
• Suction Lift
• Elevation gain
• Delivery height

Pressure Head

Pressure requirements are converted into meters of head.

Typical conversion:

• 1 bar = 10.197 metres of head
• Conversion Calculator

For example:

• 2 bar = 20.39 m
• 3 bar = 30.59 m
• 4 bar = 40.79 m

Friction Losses

As water flows through pipes, energy is lost due to friction between the water and pipe walls.

Factors affecting friction losses include:

• Flow rate
• Pipe diameter
• Pipe length
• Pipe material
• Number of bends and fittings

Higher velocities generally create higher friction losses.

Fitting Losses

Additional losses occur through:

• Elbows
• Valves
• Tees
• Filters
• Check valves
• Flow meters

These losses should be included in the TDH calculation for accurate pump selection.

Why Is Total Dynamic Head Important?

Pump performance is determined by two primary factors:

1. Flow Rate
2. Total Dynamic Head

A pump may be capable of producing high flow rates at low heads, but deliver significantly less flow as the head increases.

Without an accurate TDH calculation, it is impossible to correctly interpret a pump performance curve.

The result can be:

• Under-sized pumps
• Over-sized pumps
• Reduced efficiency
• Higher operating costs

Borehole Pump Total Dynamic Head Calculation

For borehole installations, TDH normally consists of:

• Dynamic water level
• Delivery elevation
• Required pressure at the outlet
• Pipe friction losses
• Fitting losses
• Borehole Pump Sizing Calculator

Example:

Dynamic water level: 50 m

Tank height: 15 m

Pressure requirement: 2 bar (20.39 m)

Pipe losses: 5 m

Total Dynamic Head:

50 + 15 + 20.39 + 5

TDH = 90.39 meters

A pump would therefore need to deliver the required flow rate at approximately 90 m head.

Irrigation Pump Total Dynamic Head Calculation

Irrigation systems commonly require:

• Elevation head
• Friction losses through long pipelines
• Sprinkler operating pressure

For large agricultural systems, friction losses often represent a significant percentage of total system head.

This is why proper pipe sizing is critical for irrigation efficiency.

Booster Pump Total Dynamic Head Calculation

For booster systems, TDH is often calculated using:

• Incoming pressure
• Required discharge pressure
• Elevation changes
• Pipe losses

Booster pumps are commonly used in:

• Residential estates
• Commercial buildings
• Hotels
• Hospitals
• Industrial facilities

Pipe Velocity and Pump Efficiency

The calculator also estimates pipe velocity.

Excessive pipe velocity can result in:

• Increased friction losses
• Water Hammer
• Pipe wear
• Higher energy consumption

As a general guideline:

• Below 0.6 m/s: Pipe may be oversized
• 1 to 2.5 m/s: Generally desirable
• Above 3 m/s: Friction losses become excessive

Selecting the correct pipe diameter can significantly reduce operating costs over the life of the pump system.

Hydraulic Power Calculation

The calculator estimates hydraulic power using:

Hydraulic Power = ρ × g × Q × H

Where:

• ρ = Water density
• g = Gravity
• Q = Flow rate
• H = Total Dynamic Head

This value represents the theoretical power required to move the water.

Actual motor power requirements will be higher due to pump efficiency losses.

How to Use the Total Dynamic Head Calculator

Step 1

Enter the required flow rate.

Step 2

Enter the internal pipe diameter.

Step 3

Enter the suction lift or dynamic water level.

Step 4

Enter the delivery height.

Step 5

Enter the required discharge pressure.

Step 6

Enter estimated friction losses and fitting losses.

Step 7

Enter pump efficiency and safety margin.

Step 8

Click Calculate TDH.

The calculator will instantly display:

• Static head
• Pressure head
• Friction losses
• Pipe velocity
• Total Dynamic Head
• Design TDH
• Hydraulic power
• Estimated pump input power

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Total Dynamic Head?

There is no universal TDH value. Every pumping system has unique requirements based on elevation, pressure and friction losses.

Does Total Dynamic Head include pressure?

Yes. Required pressure at the discharge point must be converted into meters of head and included in the TDH calculation.

Does TDH include friction loss?

Yes. Friction losses are a critical component of Total Dynamic Head.

What is the difference between static head and TDH?

Static head only considers elevation changes.

TDH includes:

• Static head
• Pressure head
• Friction losses
• Fitting losses

Why is my pump not achieving the required flow?

Common causes include:

• Incorrect TDH calculations
• Undersized pipes
• Excessive friction losses
• Incorrect pump selection
• Blocked filters or valves

Need Help Selecting a Pump?

Once you have calculated your Total Dynamic Head, the next step is selecting a pump capable of delivering the required flow rate at that head.

Pumps Africa supplies pump solutions for:

• Boreholes
• Agriculture
• Irrigation
• Mining
• Municipal water systems
• Industrial applications
• Commercial buildings

Contact our team for assistance with pump selection, system design and technical support.