Dynamic Pressure Calculator

Calculate dynamic pressure q = ½ρV² — the kinetic energy per unit volume of flow.

Fluid Mechanics I

Common fluids — click to auto-fill density

Inputs

Fluid density ρ (kg/m³)

Flow velocity V (m/s)

Static pressure (optional — to compute total pressure) Ps (Pa)

If provided, total pressure P_t = P_s + q is shown.

Theory

Dynamic pressure:

q = ½ρV² [Pa = J/m³]

Bernoulli decomposition:

P_t = P_s + q = P_s + ½ρV²

Equivalent velocity head:

hv = q / (ρg) = V² / (2g) [m]

Where:

ρ = fluid density [kg/m³]
V = flow velocity [m/s]
q = dynamic pressure [Pa] — kinetic energy per unit volume
hv = velocity head [m] — kinetic energy per unit weight

Dynamic pressure is measured by the difference between the stagnation port and the static port of a Pitot-static tube. It scales with V² — doubling velocity quadruples dynamic pressure.