Formulas and Conversion Factors

Basic Formulas
Fluid Pressure =

Force (Pounds)
Unit Area (Square Inches)

Fluid Flow Rate=

Volume (Gallons)
Unit Time (Minute)
Pressure (PSI) x Flow (GPM)
1714

Fluid Power in Horsepower =

U.S. Gear Drive Formulas

Torque (in-lb) =
Horsepower (hp)=
Pitch Dia=
Thermal input (Watts) =
Output Torque =
Output rpm =

hp x 63025 / rpm
in-lb x rpm / 63025
Teeth / Diametral Pitch
hp x (1 - eff) x 745.7
Input Torque x Ratio x Gear Drive Efficiency
Input rpm / Ratio

Metric Gear Drive Formulas

Nm =

kW x 9549
RPM

kW =

Nm x RPM
9549
kW x (1-eff)
556.08

Thermal input (Watts) =

Output TQ =

Input TQ x Ratio x Gear Drive Efficiency

Output rpm =

Input rpm / Ratio

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U.S. Motor Formulas

hp =
hp =
in =
3

in-lb =

gpm x psi / 1714

in-lb x rpm / 63025
(in-lb x 6.283) / (psi x eff)
psi x in3 x eff / 6.283

in-lb =

hp x 63025 / rpm

gpm =

rpm x in3 / 231

rpm =

gpm x 231 / in3

eff =
in-lb =
psi =

(in-lb x 6.283) / (psi x in3)

gpm x psi x eff x 36.77 / rpm
(in-lb x 6.283) / (in3 x eff)
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Metric Motor Formulas

kW =

L/min x bar / 70148.25

kW =

Nm x rpm / 9549

cm =

(Nm x 170.7) / (bar x eff)

Nm =
Nm =
L/min =
rpm =
eff =

bar x cm3 x eff / 170.7

kW x 9549 / rpm
rpm x cm3 / 125.25
L/min x 125.25 / cm3
(Nm x 170.7) / (bar x cm3)
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Pump Formulas
Pump Outlet Flow =

RPM x Pump Displacement (Cu. In./Rev.)

231

Pump Input Power in

Horsepower =

Flow Rate Output (GPM) x Pressure (PSI)

1714 x Efficiency (Overall)
Output Horsepower
Input Horsepower

Overall Efficiency =
Overall Efficiency =

x 100

Volumetric Eff. x Mechanical Eff.

Volumetric Efficiency =

Actual Flow Rate Output (GPM)

Theoretical Flow Rate Output (GPM)

x 100

Mechanical Efficiency =

Theoretical Torque to Drive

Actual Torque to Drive

x 100

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Metric to U.S. Conversion

kW =

1.341 hp

bar =

14.5 psi

Nm =

8.8496 in-lb

daNm =

88.496 in-lb

kg-m =

86.796 in-lb

L/min =

.2642 gpm

cm =
3

L=
C =

.061 in3
2.114 Pints
(F - 32) / 1.8

Torque and horsepower relations:

T = HP x 5252 RPM
HP = T x RPM 5252
RPM = HP x 5252 T
Torque values are in foot pounds.

Force for piercing or shearing sheet metal:

F = P x T x PSI
F is force required, in pounds, P is perimeter
around area to be sheared, in inches, T is sheet
thickness in inches; PSI is the sheer strength
rating of the material in pounds per square inch.

Hydraulic (fluid power) horsepower:

HP = PSI x GPM 1714
PSI is gauge pressure in pounds per square
inch, GPM is oil flow in gallons per minute.
Velocity of oil flow in pipe:
V = GPM x 0.3208 A
V is oil velocity in feet per second, GPM is flow
in gallons per minute, A is inside area of pipe in
square inches.
Charles' Law for behaviour of gases:
T1V2 = T2V1, or T1P2 = T2P1
T1, P1 and V1 are initial temperature, pressure
and volume, and T2, P2 and V2 are final
conditions.
Boyle's Law for behaviour of gases:
P1V1 = P2V2
P1, V1 are initial pressure and volume; P2 and
V2 are final conditions.
Circle Formulae:
Area = r2, or

D 4
Circumference = 2 r, or D
2

r is radius, D is diameter, inches;

is 3.14

Heat equivalent of fluid power:

BTU per hour = PSI x GPM x 1
Hydraulic Cylinder Piston travel speed:
S = CIM A
S is piston travel speed, inches per minute,
CIM is oil flow into cylinder, cubic inches per
minute, A is piston area in square inches.
Thrust or force of any cylinder:
T = A x PSI
T is thrust or force, in pounds, A is piston area
in square inches, PSI is gauge pressure.

Side load on pump or motor shaft:

F = (HP x 63024) (RPM x R)
F is the side load, in pounds, against shaft; R
is the pitch radius of sheave on pump shaft, in
inches; HP is driving power applied to shaft.
Effective force of a cylinder working at an angle
to direction of the load travel:
F = T x sin A
T is the total cylinder force, in pounds; F is
the part of the force which is effective, in
pounds, A is the least angle, in degrees,
between cylinder axis and load direction.
Heat radiating capacity of a steel reservoir:
HP = 0.001 x A x TD
HP is the power radiating capacity expressed
in horsepower; A is surface area, in square feet;
TD is temperature difference in F between oil
and surrounding air.
Burst pressure of pipe or tubing:
P = 2t x S O
P is burst pressure in PSI, t is wall thickness,
in inches; S is tensile strength of material in
PSI; O is outside diameter, in inches.
Relationship between displacement and torque
of a hydraulic motor:
T = D x PSI 24
T is torque in foot pounds, D is displacement
in cubic inches per revolution, PSI is pressure
difference across motor, is 3.14

Rules of Thumb
Horsepower for driving a pump:
For every 1 HP of drive, the equivalent of 1
GPM @ 1500 PSI can be produced.

Compressibility of water:
Volume reduction is about 0.3% for every
1000 PSI pressure.

Horsepower for idling a pump:

To idle a pump when it is unloaded will require
about 5% of its full rated horsepower.

Wattage for heating hydraulic oil:

Each watt will raise the temperature of 1
gallon of oil by 1 F per hour.

Compressibility of hydraulic oil:

Volume reduction is approximately 0.5% for
every 1000 PSI pressure.

Flow velocity in hydraulic lines:

Pump suction lines 2 to 4 feet/second;
pressure lines up to 500 PSI, 10 to 15
feet/second; pressure lines 500 to 3000 PSI, 15
to 20 feet/second; pressure lines over 3000 PSI,
25 feet/second; all oil lines in air-over-oil
system, 4 feet/second.

Formulae In SI Metric Units

Familiar fluid power formulae in English units are shown in the left column. When the industry
converts to SI (International) units, these formulae will take the form shown in the right column.
English Units

Metric Units

Torque, HP, Speed Relations in Hydraulic Pumps and Motors

T = HP x 5252 RPM
HP = T x RPM 5252
RPM = HP x 5252 T

T = Kw x 9543 RPM
Kw = T x RPM 9543
RPM = Kw x 9543 T

T = Torque, foot-lbs.
RPM = Speed, revs/min
HP = Horsepower

T = Torque, Nm (Newton-meters)
RPM = Speed, revs/min
Kw = Power in kilowatts

Hydraulic Power Flowing Through the Pipes

HP = PSI x GPM 1714

Kw = Bars x dm3/min 600

HP = Horsepower
PSI = Gauge pressure, lbs/sq. Inch
GPM = Flow, gallons per minute

Kw = Powers in kilowatts
Bars = System pressure
dm3/min = Flow, cu. dm/minute

Force Developed by an Air or Hydraulic Cylinder

T = A x PSI

N = A x Bars x 10

T = Force or thrust, in lbs.

A = Piston area, square inches
PSI = Gauge pressure, lbs/sq. inch

N = Cylinder force in Newtons

A = Piston area, sq. centimeters
Bars = Gauge pressure

Travel Speed of a Hydraulic Cylinder Piston

S=VA

S = V 6A

S = Travel speed, inches/minute

V = Vol. of oil to cyl., cu.in/min
A = Piston area, square inches

S = Travel speed, meter/sec

V = Oil flow dm3/minute
A = Piston area, square centimeters

Barlow's Formula - Burst Pressure of Pipe & Tubing

P = 2t x S O

P = 2t x S O

P = Burst pressure, PSI

t = Pipe wall thickness, inches
S = Tensile str., pipe material, PSI
O = Outside diameter of pipe, inches

P = Burst pressure, bars

t = Pipe wall thickness, mm
S = Tensile str., pipe material, bars
O = Outside diameter of pipe, mm

Velocity of Oil Flow in Hydraulic Lines

V = GPM x 0.3208 A

V = dm3/min 6A

V = Velocity, feet per second

GPM = Oil flow, gallons/minute
A = Inside area of pipe, sq. inches

V = Oil velocity, meters/second

dm3/min = Oil flow, cu.dm/minute
A = Inside area of pipe, sq.cm.

Recommended Maximum Oil Velocity in Hydraulic Lines

fps = feet per second
Pump suction lines - 2 to 4 fps
Pres. lines to 500 PSI - 10 to 15 fps
Pres. lines to 3000 PSI - 15 to 20 fps
Pres. lines over 3000 PSI - 25 fps
Oil lines in air/oil system - 4 fps

mps = meters per second

Pump suction lines - .6 to 1.2 mps
Pres. lines to 35 bar - 3 to 4 mps
Pres. lines to 206.8 bar - 4 to 6 mps
Pres. lines over 200 bar - 7 mps
Oil lines in air/oil system - 1 mps

Material (common name)

Density (in Kg/M^3)

Metals

Aluminum

2,768

Beryllium

1,868

Brass

8,500

Cast Iron

6,975

Chromium

7,197

Copper

8,940

Gold

18,878

Lead

11,349

Magnesium

1,743

Molybdenum

10,214

Nickel

8,553

Phosphor Bronze

8,858

Platinum

21,452

Silver

10,491

Stainless Steel

7,861

Steel

7,861

Tin

7,308

Titanium

4,512

Tungsten

19,293

Zinc

7,141

Woods (weight listed is average dried weight)

Acacia Blackwood

660

Ash, White

660

Balsa

160

Basswood

420

Beech, European

720

Birch

700

Bloodwood

960

Bocote

800

Brazilwood

1,280

Bubinga

880

Butternut

450

Cedar, Western Red

370

Chakte Kok

640

Chechen

850

Cherry, Black

580

Cocobolo

1,040

Douglas Fir

520

Ebony, African

1,000

Ebony, Gaboon

1,193*

Ebony, Macassar

1,090

Elm, American

560

Goncalo Alves

940

Hickory

820

Holly

800

Jarrah

800

Jatoba

900

Kiaat

700*

Kingwood

1,200

Koa

660

Kwila

963*

Lemonwood

820

Lignum Vitae (Ironwood)

1,310

Mahogany, Honduran

640

Mahogany, Philippine (Lauan)

382*

Makore

620

Mango

570

Maple, Hard

720

Maple, Soft

620

Oak, Red

770

Oak, White

770

Padauk

720

Panga Panga

930

Pink Ivory

990

Poplar

450

Purpleheart

930

Redwood

420

Rosewood, Brazilian

850

Rosewood, East Indian

830

Rosewood, Honduran

940

Sapele

620

Shedua

748*

Snakewood

1,295

Spruce, Sitka

420

Teak

640

Tulipwood

960

Verawood

1,218*

Walnut, Black

640

Wenge

880

Yellowheart

860

Zebrawood

740

Ziricote

880

Plastics

ABS

1,052

Acetal (Delrin)

1,356

Acrylic

1,163

Neoprene

1,384

Polyamide (Nylon)

1,100

Polycarbonate

1,190

LDPE (Low-Density
Polyethylene)

913

HDPE (High-Density
Polyethylene)

941

Polypropylene

913

PVC

1,467

Teflon

2,159

Other

Carbon Fiber

1,743

Human Bone

1,439

Water

1,000
*

Denotes my own measurements

Metal or Alloy

Density
(kg/m3)

Actinium

10070

Admiralty Brass

8525

Aluminum

2712

Aluminum - melted

2560 - 2640

Aluminum - 1100

2720

Aluminum - 6061

2720

Aluminum - 7050

2800

Aluminum - 7178

2830

Aluminum bronze (3-10% Al)

7700 - 8700

Aluminum foil

2700 -2750

Antifriction metal

9130 -10600

Antimony

6690

Babbitt

7272

Barium

3594

Beryllium

1840

Beryllium copper

8100 - 8250

Bismuth

9750

Brass - casting

8400 - 8700

Brass - rolled and drawn

8430 - 8730

Brass 60/40

8520

Metal or Alloy

Density
(kg/m3)

Bronze - lead

7700 - 8700

Bronze - phosphorous

8780 - 8920

Bronze (8-14% Sn)

7400 - 8900

Brushed metal

7860

Cadmium

8640

Caesium

1873

Calcium

1540

Cast iron

6800 - 7800

Cerium

6770

Chemical Lead

11340

Chromium

7190

Cobalt

8746

Constantan

8920

Columbium

8600

Constantan

8880

Copper

8940

Cupronickel

8908 - 8940

Delta metal

8600

Duralumin

2790

Electrum

8400 - 8900

Metal or Alloy

Density
(kg/m3)

Eroded metal

7860

Europium

5243

Gallium

5907

Germanium

5323

Gold

19320

Hafnium

13310

Hatelloy

9245

Indium

7310

Inconel

8497

Incoloy

8027

Iridium

22650

Iron

7850

Lanthanum

6145

Lead

11340

Light alloy based on Al

2560 - 2800

Light alloy based on Mg

1760 - 1870

Lithium

534

Magnesium

1738

Manganese

7440

Manganese Bronze

8359

Metal or Alloy

Density
(kg/m3)

Manganin

8500

Mercury

13593

Molybdenum

10188

Monel

8360 - 8840

Neodymium

7007

Nichrome

8400

Nickel

8908

Nickel 20

8090

Nickel 200

8890

Nickel silver

8400 - 8900

Nickeline

8770

Nimonic

8100

Niobium

8570

Osmium

22610

Palladium

12160

Phosphor bronze

8900

Platinum

21400

Plutonium

19816

Red Brass

8746

Silver

10490

Metal or Alloy

Density
(kg/m3)

Sodium

971

Solder 50/50 Pb Sn

8885

Stainless Steel

7480 - 8000

Steel

7850

Tin

7280

Titanium

4500

Tungsten

19600

Uranium

18900

Vanadium

5494

White metal

7100

Wrought Iron

7750

Zinc

7135

Zirconium

6570

Yellow Brass

8470