Flow Rate Calculator
Enter either the pipe diameter and velocity or the volume of fluid passing in a given time to calculate the volumetric flow rate.
Calculate Initial Fill Volume
Calculate Resurfacing Volume
Calculated Flow Rate:
On this page:
How to Calculate Flow Rate
Volumetric flow rate, also referred to as volume flow rate, flow rate, or volume velocity, is defined as the volume of fluid passing a point in a given unit of time.[1] The SI unit of flow rate is cubic meters per second (m³/s).
Flow rate can be found by simply measuring the amount of fluid that fills a bucket in a given amount of time or using a formula.
Flow Rate Formula
The flow rate of a fluid can be calculated using the volumetric flow rate equation:
Q = A × v
Thus, the volume flow rate Q is equal to the cross-sectional area of the pipe A times the velocity of the fluid v.[2]

To use the flow rate formula, substitute the cross-sectional area of the pipe and the velocity of the liquid. For a round pipe, the cross-sectional area can be found using the formula for circle area A = πr².
For example, let’s find the flow rate for the fluid passing through a 1″ diameter pipe at a velocity of 3 feet per second.
Start by finding the cross-sectional area of the pipe.
area = π × r²
area = 3.14 × (1 ÷ 2)²
area = 3.14 × 0.25
area = 0.785398 in²
Next, it will be easier to solve later if the velocity and the area are in the same units. Convert the area in square inches to square feet by dividing by 144.
A = 0.785398 in² ÷ 144
A = 0.00545 ft²
Finally, substitute the area and velocity in the flow rate equation and solve.
Q = 0.00545 in² × 3 ft/sec
Q = 0.01635 cubic ft/sec
Thus, the flow rate is 0.01635 cubic feet per second.
Alternate Flow Rate Formula
An alternative formula to solve flow rate is:
Q = V / t
The volume flow rate Q is equal to the volume of liquid passed V divided by the time passed t.
To use this formula, you need to be able to measure the volume of liquid that passes in a given time.
For example, let’s find the flow rate for a garden hose that can fill a 5-gallon bucket in 3 minutes.
Q = 5 / 3
Q = 1.67 gal/min
Thus, the flow rate is 1.67 gallons per minute.
Try our unit rate calculator to find the rate of other units.
References
- Engineers Edge, Fluid Volumetric Flow Rate Equation, https://www.engineersedge.com/fluid_flow/volumeetric_flow_rate.htm
- Chris Deziel, How to Calculate Flow Rates, Sciencing, https://sciencing.com/calculate-flow-rates-6199676.html