Pitot Tube Calculator

Calculate flow velocity from the stagnation–static pressure difference measured by a Pitot-static tube.

Fluid Mechanics I

Common fluids — click to auto-fill density

Inputs

Stagnation minus static pressure ΔP (Pa)

Fluid density ρ (kg/m³)

Theory

Main equation:

V = √(2ΔP / ρ)

Where:

ΔP = P_stagnation − P_static = dynamic pressure q [Pa]
ρ = fluid density [kg/m³]
q = ½ρV² → dynamic pressure from Bernoulli

A Pitot-static tube measures stagnation pressure at the forward-facing port and static pressure at the side ports. Their difference is the dynamic pressure q = ½ρV², from which velocity is recovered. Valid for incompressible flow (Ma < 0.3). At higher Mach numbers a compressibility correction is needed.