Hydraulic Diameter of a Duct, Pipe or Tube

The hydraulic diameter, abbreviated as D_h, is used to calculate the Reynolds Number, friction factor or for calculating pressure drop across two points.  For most geometries, the hydraulic diameter, or characteristic length, is not equal to the diameter of the shape.  However, in a circular application such as a pipe, duct or tube, the hydraulic diameter is equal to the diameter.

 

Hydraulic Diameter of a Duct, Pipe or Tube Formula
\(\large{ d_h = \frac { 4 \; \pi \; r^2 } { 2 \; \pi \; r } }\)
Symbol	English	Metric
\(\large{ d_h }\) = hydraulic diameter	\(\large{in}\)	\(\large{mm}\)
\(\large{ r }\) = pipe inside radius	\(\large{in}\)	\(\large{mm}\)

 

Hydraulic Diameter of a Duct, Pipe or Tube calculator