1. What is a Water Hose Flow Rate Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the water flow rate through a hose based on water velocity and hose cross-sectional area.

Purpose: It helps plumbers, irrigation specialists, and homeowners determine water flow for system design and troubleshooting.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (gallons per minute)
• \( V \) — Water velocity (feet per second)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area of hose (square feet)
• 448.83 — Conversion factor (cubic feet to gallons and seconds to minutes)

Explanation: The formula calculates volumetric flow rate by multiplying velocity by area, then converts units to GPM.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Proper flow rate estimation ensures adequate water supply, proper system pressure, and efficient irrigation or plumbing system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the water velocity in ft/s and hose cross-sectional area in ft². For circular hoses, area = π × (diameter/2)².

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical water velocity in hoses?
A: Residential systems typically have 5-10 ft/s, while high-pressure systems may reach 15 ft/s.

Q2: How do I measure hose cross-sectional area?
A: For circular hoses: measure diameter, divide by 2 to get radius, then calculate π × r².

Q3: Why is the conversion factor 448.83?
A: It combines 7.48052 (gallons per cubic foot) × 60 (seconds per minute).

Q4: What affects water velocity in a hose?
A: Pressure, hose diameter, length, and any restrictions like nozzles or valves.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides theoretical maximum; actual flow may be lower due to friction losses and other factors.