- The chart is calculated for fresh water at 15°C.
- Use actual bores rather than nominal pipe size.
- For stainless steel pipe multiply the numbers by 1.1.
- For steel pipe multiply the numbers by 1.3 .
- For cast iron pipe multiply the numbers by 1.7.
The losses are calculated for a fluid viscosity similar to fresh water.
This chart will let you calculate the losses through various types of valves and fittings
EQUIVALENT LENGTH OF STRAIGHT PIPE IN METRES; FOR CALCULATING FRICTION LOSS
| Pipe Size (mm) | Normal Elbow | Long Radius Elbow | Short Radius Elbow | Return Bend 'U' | Tee 'T' | Gate Valve Open | Globe Valve Open | Swing Check | Foot Valve and Strainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe Size (mm) 20 | Normal Elbow 0.5 | Long Radius Elbow 0.3 | Short Radius Elbow 0.6 | Return Bend 'U' 1.5 | Tee 'T' 1.5 | Gate Valve Open 0.3 | Globe Valve Open 6.7 | Swing Check 1.5 | Foot Valve and Strainer 1.5 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 25 | Normal Elbow 0.5 | Long Radius Elbow 0.3 | Short Radius Elbow 0.8 | Return Bend 'U' 2 | Tee 'T' 1.8 | Gate Valve Open 0.3 | Globe Valve Open 8.2 | Swing Check 2 | Foot Valve and Strainer 2.3 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 32 | Normal Elbow 0.8 | Long Radius Elbow 0.3 | Short Radius Elbow 0.9 | Return Bend 'U' 2.6 | Tee 'T' 2.4 | Gate Valve Open 0.6 | Globe Valve Open 11.3 | Swing Check 2.6 | Foot Valve and Strainer 2.7 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 40 | Normal Elbow 0.9 | Long Radius Elbow 0.4 | Short Radius Elbow 1.1 | Return Bend 'U' 3.1 | Tee 'T' 2.7 | Gate Valve Open 0.6 | Globe Valve Open 13.4 | Swing Check 3.1 | Foot Valve and Strainer 3.4 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 50 | Normal Elbow 1.1 | Long Radius Elbow 0.5 | Short Radius Elbow 1.4 | Return Bend 'U' 4 | Tee 'T' 3.4 | Gate Valve Open 0.8 | Globe Valve Open 17.4 | Swing Check 4 | Foot Valve and Strainer 4.6 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 65 | Normal Elbow 1.4 | Long Radius Elbow 0.6 | Short Radius Elbow 1.7 | Return Bend 'U' 4.6 | Tee 'T' 4.3 | Gate Valve Open 0.9 | Globe Valve Open 20.1 | Swing Check 5.2 | Foot Valve and Strainer 5.5 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 80 | Normal Elbow 1.5 | Long Radius Elbow 0.8 | Short Radius Elbow 2.1 | Return Bend 'U' 5.5 | Tee 'T' 5.2 | Gate Valve Open 1.1 | Globe Valve Open 26 | Swing Check 6.1 | Foot Valve and Strainer 6.7 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 100 | Normal Elbow 2.1 | Long Radius Elbow 1.1 | Short Radius Elbow 2.7 | Return Bend 'U' 7.3 | Tee 'T' 6.7 | Gate Valve Open 1.5 | Globe Valve Open 34 | Swing Check 8.2 | Foot Valve and Strainer 8.8 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 125 | Normal Elbow 2.7 | Long Radius Elbow 1.2 | Short Radius Elbow 3.7 | Return Bend 'U' 9.5 | Tee 'T' 8.2 | Gate Valve Open 1.8 | Globe Valve Open 43 | Swing Check 10 | Foot Valve and Strainer 11 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 150 | Normal Elbow 3.4 | Long Radius Elbow 1.5 | Short Radius Elbow 4.3 | Return Bend 'U' 11 | Tee 'T' 10 | Gate Valve Open 2.1 | Globe Valve Open 49 | Swing Check 12.2 | Foot Valve and Strainer 14 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 200 | Normal Elbow 4.3 | Long Radius Elbow 2.1 | Short Radius Elbow 5.5 | Return Bend 'U' 15 | Tee 'T' 13.4 | Gate Valve Open 3.1 | Globe Valve Open 67 | Swing Check 16.5 | Foot Valve and Strainer 18 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 250 | Normal Elbow 5.5 | Long Radius Elbow 2.4 | Short Radius Elbow 7.3 | Return Bend 'U' 19 | Tee 'T' 16.5 | Gate Valve Open 3.7 | Globe Valve Open 85.4 | Swing Check 20 | Foot Valve and Strainer 22 |
| Pipe Size (mm) 300 | Normal Elbow 6.7 | Long Radius Elbow 3.1 | Short Radius Elbow 8.5 | Return Bend 'U' 23 | Tee 'T' 20 | Gate Valve Open 4.3 | Globe Valve Open 98 | Swing Check 24.4 | Foot Valve and Strainer 27.4 |
NPE provides these calculators and guides to assist with general queries and recommends working with experts to ensure suitability.
NPE assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or misuse of the contents of this site. These online tools do not constitute professional advice.
For assistance, contact any of NPE’s Australian branches.