12/7/2017 How much water can flow through a pipe (GPM/GPH)?

ROOF DRAINS
How much water can ow
through a pipe (GPM/GPH)?
MANUFACTURERS

ROOF
CUTTER We regularly get asked about the water ow capacity of different pipe
BLADE sizes, and which is the best roof drain for a speci c pipe size.
SPECIAL Unfortunately, recommendations aren't that straightforward because
you also need to account for water pressure, material friction and
more. 

That said, we put together the following tables to serve as general

guides for estimating a pipe's water ow capacity. If you have
BUY A DOZEN 12-IN. questions, please call our Drain Wizard at 800-635-0384.  
ROOF CUTTER
BLADE S FOR $325. A Water Flow (GPM/GPH) based on Pipe Size
SAVINGS OF $191.
WHILE S UPPLIES LAST.
and Inside/Outside Diameters
BUY TODAY! Assume Gravity to Low
Assume Average Pressure Assume "High Pressure"
ASK THE      
Pressure. About 6 f/s ow
velocity, also suction side
(20-100PSI). About 12 f/s PEAK ow. About 18 f/s
ow velocity ow velocity 
DRAIN of pump
Pipe GPM GPH GPM GPH GPM GPH
WIZARD Size I.D.
O.D.
(w/ min. PSI (w/ min. PSI (w/ min. PSI (w/ min. PSI (w/ min. PSI (w/ min. PSI
(Sch. (range) loss & loss & loss & loss & loss & loss &
40) noise) noise) noise) noise) noise) noise)
0.5 -
1/2" 0.85" 7 420 14 840 21 1,260
0.6"
0.75 -
3/4" 1.06" 11 660 23 1,410 36 2,160
0.85"
1-
1" 1.33" 16 960 37 2,200 58 3,480
1.03"
1.25 -
1-1/4" 1.67" 25 1,500 62 3,750 100 6,000
1.36"
1.5 -
NEED HE LP FINDING 1-1/2" 1.9" 35 2,100 81 4,830 126 7,560
1.6"
A DRAIN OR PART? 1.95 -
ASK THE DRAIN 2" 2.38" 55 3,300 127 7,650 200 12,00
2.05"
WIZARD. HE CAN 2.35 -
2-1/2" 2.89" 80 4,800 190 11,400 300 18,000
IDENTIFY EVERY 2.45"
DRAIN RING IN 2.9 -
3" 3.5" 140 8,400 273 16,350 425 25,500
EXISTE NCE. 3.05"

https://www.hy-techroofdrains.com/water-flow-through-a-pipe/ 1/3
12/7/2017 How much water can flow through a pipe (GPM/GPH)?

CLICK HE RE 4" 3.85 - 4.5" 240 14,400 480 28,800 700 42,000
3.95"
  5"
4.95" -
5.563" 380 22,800 750 45,000 1,100 66,000
5.05"
5.85 -
6" 6.61" 550 33,000 1100 66,000 1700 102,000
5.95"
8" 7.96" 8.625" 950 57,000 1900 114,000 2800 168,000
 
 
LOOKING FOR
ROOFING TOOLS AND
EQUIPME NT? VISIT Water Flow (GPM) Capacity Based on ID
Size and Pressure
PRESSURE FLOW IN GPM THROUGH PIPE ID IN INCHES
PSI 1" 1.25" 1.5" 2" 2.5" 3" 4"
20 26 47 76 161 290 468 997
30 32 58 94 200 360 582 1240
40 38 68 110 234 421 680 1449
50 43 77 124 264 475 767 1635
60 47 85 137 291 524 846 1804
75 53 95 153 329 591 955 2035
100 62 112 180 384 690 1115 2377
125 70 126 203 433 779 1258 2681
150 77 139 224 478 859 1388 2958
200 90 162 262 558 1004 1621 3455
 

Water Flow Capacity in Steel Pipes (sch 40)

Maximum Flow Head Loss (ft/100
Pipe Size Velocity (ft/s)
(gal/min) ft)
2" 45 4.3 3.9
2-1/2" 75 5.0 4.1
3" 130 5.6 3.9
4" 260 6.6 4.0
6" 800 8.9 4.0
8" 1,600 10.3 3.8
10" 3,000 12.2 4.0
12" 4,700 13.4 4.0
14" 6,000 14.2 4.0
16" 8,000 14.5 3.5
18" 10,000 14.3 3.0
20" 12,000 13.8 2.4
24" 18,000 14.4 2.1
 

if you have any questions, please contact our Drain Wizard at 800-635-
0384 or visit our contact page. 

https://www.hy-techroofdrains.com/water-flow-through-a-pipe/ 2/3
12/7/2017 How much water can flow through a pipe (GPM/GPH)?

© 2004-2017 Hy-Tech Products, Inc.

All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to certain terms of use which constitutes a legal agreement between you and Hy-Tech Products, Inc.
Terms of Use

https://www.hy-techroofdrains.com/water-flow-through-a-pipe/ 3/3