Flow Rate & Velocity Calculator | CXP Solutions
Engineering Calculator

Flow Rate & Velocity Calculator with Complete Pipe Specs

Calculate required GPM, velocities, and Reynolds numbers using actual pipe specifications. Select from stainless steel, carbon steel, CPVC, copper, and more.

316L Stainless
Carbon Steel
CPVC / PVC
Copper Tube
5–8
ft/sec Target
>4K
Reynolds #
200+
Pipe Specs
ASME
BPE Compliant
GPM
in. ID
5.68 ft/sec
ⓘ Quick Reference uses manual ID input. Default shows 2" Sch 40 SS (2.067" ID). Use calculators below for material-specific specs.
Professional Tools

Flow Rate & Velocity Calculators

Select your exact pipe specifications for accurate flow calculations based on actual internal diameters.

📊

GPM → Velocity

Calculate velocity from flow rate with full pipe specifications

Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel 316L/304
Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel (A106/A53)
Plastic
CPVC (Schedule 80)
PVC (Schedule 40/80)
Copper
Copper Tube (Type K/L/M)
Material
SS 316L/304
Schedule
10S
Nominal
2"
Internal ID
2.157"
0 ft/s 3 ft/s 5 ft/s 10 ft/s
Velocity (ft/sec)
Reynolds Number
Flow Regime
🎯

Velocity → Required GPM

Calculate flow rate needed to achieve target velocity

Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel 316L/304
Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel (A106/A53)
Plastic
CPVC (Schedule 80)
PVC (Schedule 40/80)
Copper
Copper Tube (Type K/L/M)
Material
SS 316L/304
Schedule
10S
Nominal
2"
Internal ID
2.157"
Required GPM
Reynolds Number
Flow Regime
🌀

Reynolds Number Calculator

Verify turbulent flow conditions for effective cleaning

Water
Water @ 68°F (20°C)
Water @ 100°F (38°C)
Water @ 140°F (60°C)
Water @ 180°F (82°C)
Glycol Solutions
30% Propylene Glycol
50% Propylene Glycol
Reynolds Number
Flow Regime
🔧

Pipe Size Advisor

Find all pipe sizes that achieve your target velocity

Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel 316L/304
Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel (A106/A53)
Plastic
CPVC (Schedule 80)
PVC (Schedule 40/80)
Copper
Copper Tube (Type K/L/M)
Recommended Pipe Sizes:

Disclaimer: These calculators are for reference purposes only. All values must be independently verified by qualified engineers. CXP Solutions assumes no liability for decisions or outcomes resulting from their use.

Reference Data

Complete Pipe Specifications

Internal diameter reference for all supported pipe materials and schedules. Click to expand each category.

Schedule 5S

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.710
3/4"0.920
1"1.185
1-1/2"1.770
2"2.245
3"3.334
4"4.334
6"6.407

Schedule 10S

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.674
3/4"0.884
1"1.097
1-1/2"1.682
2"2.157
3"3.260
4"4.260
6"6.357
8"8.329

Schedule 40

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.622
3/4"0.824
1"1.049
1-1/2"1.610
2"2.067
3"3.068
4"4.026
6"6.065

Schedule 80

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.546
3/4"0.742
1"0.957
1-1/2"1.500
2"1.939
3"2.900
4"3.826

Schedule 40 (STD)

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.622
1"1.049
1-1/2"1.610
2"2.067
3"3.068
4"4.026
6"6.065

Schedule 80 (XS)

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.546
1"0.957
2"1.939
3"2.900
4"3.826

Schedule 80

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.546
3/4"0.742
1"0.957
1-1/2"1.500
2"1.939
3"2.900
4"3.826

Schedule 40

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.622
1"1.049
1-1/2"1.610
2"2.067
3"3.068
4"4.026

Schedule 80

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.546
1"0.957
2"1.939
3"2.900

Type K (Heavy)

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.527
3/4"0.745
1"0.995
1-1/2"1.481
2"1.959
3"2.907

Type L (Medium)

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.545
3/4"0.785
1"1.025
1-1/2"1.505
2"1.985
3"2.945

Type M (Light)

NominalID (in)
1/2"0.569
3/4"0.811
1"1.055
1-1/2"1.527
2"2.009
Quick Reference

GPM Requirements for Schedule 10S Stainless

Target velocities for high-velocity flushing applications per ASME BPE guidelines.

Pipe Size ID (in) 5 ft/sec 6 ft/sec 7 ft/sec 8 ft/sec 10 ft/sec
1/2"0.674678911
3/4"0.8841012131519
1"1.0971518212429
1-1/2"1.6823541485569
2"2.15757688091114
3"3.260130156182208260
4"4.260222266310355443
6"6.357494593692790988
8"8.3298481018118713571696

Formula: GPM = (Velocity × ID²) / 0.4085  |  Values rounded to nearest whole number

5–8
ft/sec Target Velocity

Industry standard for pharmaceutical and biotech high-velocity flushing per ASME BPE and ISPE guidelines.

Technical Guide

Velocity Guidelines

Understanding flow velocity requirements for different applications.

< 3 ft/sec
Insufficient

Particles settle in low points. Biofilm and debris accumulation likely. Not suitable for cleaning applications.

3–5 ft/sec
Marginal

Transitional flow regime. May achieve some particle transport but insufficient for reliable debris removal.

5–8 ft/sec
Optimal

Industry standard for HV flushing. Fully turbulent flow ensures particle suspension and effective system cleaning.

> 10 ft/sec
Caution

Effective cleaning but evaluate erosion risk on soft materials. Verify pressure ratings and check gasket integrity.

Flow Science

Understanding Reynolds Number

The Reynolds number (Re) is a dimensionless quantity that predicts flow patterns. For effective high-velocity flushing and CIP operations, turbulent flow is essential for particle suspension and removal.

Formula:
Re = (V × D × ρ) / μ
V = Velocity (ft/sec)  |  D = Diameter (in)  |  ρ = Density  |  μ = Viscosity
<2,300
Laminar
2,300–4K
Transitional
>4,000
Turbulent

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