Basic Fluid Power Formulas / Hydraulics / Pneumatics

Variable Word Formula w/ Units Simplified Formula

Fluid Pressure P (PSI) = Force (Pounds) / Area ( Sq. In.) P = F/A
Fluid Flow Rate Q GPM= Flow (Gallons) / Unit Time (Minutes) Q = V / T
Fluid Power in Horsepower Horsepower = Pressure (PSIG) Flow HP = PQ / 1714
HP (GPM)/ 1714

Actuator Formulas
Variable Word Formula w/ Units Simplified Formula
Cylinder Area A ( Sq. In.) = Radius (inch)2 A = R2
(Sq. In.) = Diameter (inch)2 / 4 A = D2 / 4
Cylinder Force F (Pounds) = Pressure (psi) Area (sq. in.) F = PA
Cylinder Speed v (Feet / sec.) = (231 Flow Rate (gpm)) / (12 v = (0.3208 gpm) / A
60 Area)
Cylinder Volume Capacity Volume = Radius2 Stroke (In.) / 231
V V = R2 L / 231

(L = length of stroke)

Cylinder Flow Rate - Q Volume = 12 60 Velocity (Ft./Sec.) Net Q = 3.11688 v A

Area(In.)2 / 231
Fluid Motor Torque - T Torque (in. lbs.) = Pressure (psi) disp. T = P d / 6.2822
(in.3 / rev.) / 6.2822
Torque = HP 63025 / RPM T = HP 63025 / n
Torque = Flow Rate (GPM) Pressure T = 36.77 Q P / n
36.77 / RPM
Fluid Motor Speed - n Speed (RPM) = (231 GPM) / Disp. (in.)3 n = (231 GPM) / d
Fluid Motor Horsepower - HP = Torque (in. lbs.) rpm / 63025 HP = T n / 63025
HP

Pump Formulas
Variable Word Formula w/ Units Simplified Formula
Pump Output Flow - GPM GPM = (Speed (rpm) disp. (cu. in.)) / 231 GPM = (n d) / 231
Pump Input Horsepower - HP = GPM Pressure (psi) / 1714 HP = (Q P) / 1714 E
HP Efficiency
Pump Efficiency - E Overall Efficiency = Output HP / Input HP EOverall = HPOut / HPIn X 100
Overall Efficiency = Volumetric Eff. EOverall = EffVol. EffMech.
Mechanical Eff.
Pump Volumetric Efficiency Volumetric Efficiency = Actual Flow Rate EffVol. = QAct. / QTheo. X 100
-E Output (GPM) / Theoretical Flow Rate
Output (GPM) 100
Pump Mechanical Efficiency Mechanical Efficiency = Theoretical Torque EffMech = TTheo. / TAct. 100
-E to Drive / Actual Torque to Drive 100
Pump Displacement - CIPR
Pump Torque T
Displacement (In.3 / rev.) = Flow Rate CIPR = GPM 231 / RPM
(GPM) 231 / Pump RPM
Torque = Horsepower 63025 / RPM T = 63025 HP / RPM
Torque = Pressure (PSIG) Pump T = P CIPR / 6.28
Displacement (CIPR) / 2

General Fluid Power Guidelines:

Horsepower for driving a pump:

For every 1 hp of drive, the equivalent of 1 gpm @ 1500 psi can be produced.

Horsepower for idling a pump:

To idle a pump when it is unloaded will require about 5% of it's full rated power

Wattage for heating hydraulic oil:

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

Flow velocity in hydraulic lines:

Pump suction lines 2 to 4 feet per second, pressure lines up to 500 psi - 10 to 15 ft./sec., pressure lines
500 to 3000 psi - 15 to 20 ft./sec.; all oil lines in air-over-oil systems; 4 ft./sec.