Basic Fluid Power Formulas

Linear Force or Thrust:

Force (lbs) = Area (in²) x Pressure (psi) 𝐹𝐹𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 = 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝐹𝐹𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 = 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
Force (N) = Area (cm²) x Pressure (bar) x 10 𝐹𝐹𝑁𝑁 = (𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵) 𝑥𝑥 10 𝐹𝐹𝑁𝑁 = 10(𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴)
Power (hydraulic):
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑥𝑥 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
Power (hp) = Pressure (psi) x Flow (gpm) / 1714 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 = 𝑃𝑃ℎ𝑝𝑝 =
1714 1714
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝑥𝑥 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
Power (kW) = Pressure (bar) x Flow (lpm) / 600 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 𝑃𝑃𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 =
600 600
*When calculating for sizing a system’s prime mover, multiply answer by the pump’s efficiency %.
Power (pneumatic):
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑥𝑥 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
Power (hp) = Pressure (psi) x Flow (cfm) / 229 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 = 𝑃𝑃ℎ𝑝𝑝 =
229 229
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑³/𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
Power (kW) = Pressure (bar) x Flow (dm³/min) / 600 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 𝑃𝑃𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 =
600 600
Power (mechanical):
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿. 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑥𝑥 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
Power (hp) = Torque (lb-in) x Speed (rpm) / 63025 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 = 𝑃𝑃ℎ𝑝𝑝 =
63025 63025
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿. 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 𝑥𝑥 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
Power (hp) =Torque (lb-ft) x Speed (rpm) / 5252 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 = 𝑃𝑃ℎ𝑝𝑝 =
5252 5252
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑥𝑥 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
Power (hp) = Torque (Nm) x Speed (rpm) / 7124 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 = 𝑃𝑃ℎ𝑝𝑝 =
7124 7124
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑥𝑥 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
Power (kW) = Torque (Nm) x Speed (rpm) / 9543 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 𝑃𝑃𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 =
9543 9543
Fluid Power Motor Torque:
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑥𝑥 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷
Torque (lb-in) = Displacement (cir) x Pressure (psi) / 2π 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿. 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼. = 𝑇𝑇𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 =
6.28 2π
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑥𝑥 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷
Torque (lb-ft) = Displacement (cir) x Pressure (psi) / 24π 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿. 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹. = 𝑇𝑇𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 =
75.40 24π
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑥𝑥 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷
Torque (Nm) = Displacement (ccr) x Pressure (bar) / 20π 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 𝑇𝑇𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 =
62.83 20π
Cylinder Travel Speed:
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑄𝑄
Speed (in/min) = Flow (cim) / Area (in²) 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼/𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 =
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝐴𝐴
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑄𝑄
Speed (cm/min) = Flow (ccm) / Area (cm²) 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶/𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 =
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝐴𝐴
Velocity of Oil in Hydraulic Lines:
𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 𝑥𝑥 0.3208 0.3208𝑄𝑄
Velocity (ft/sec) = Flow (gpm) x 0.3208 / Area (in²) 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹/𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 =
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝐴𝐴
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝑄𝑄
Velocity (m/sec) = Flow (lpm) / Area (cm²) x 6 𝑀𝑀/𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑣𝑣𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 6 6𝐴𝐴
Pump Flow Required for Hydraulic Cylinder (estimate):
Flow (gpm) = Area (in²) x 2 x Stroke (in) x Duty Cycle (cycles/min) / 2(𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆) 𝑥𝑥 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
231 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 =
231
Flow (lpm) = Area (cm²) x 2 x Stroke (cm) x Duty Cycle (cycles/min) / 2 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 )𝑥𝑥 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
(
1000 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 =
1000
Converting Free Air to Compressed Air (standard atm. conditions):
Compression Ratio = Operating Pressure (psi) + 14.7 / 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 + 14.7
14.7 𝐶𝐶. 𝑅𝑅. =
14.7
Compressed Air (scfm) = Free Air (cfm) x Compression Ratio (C.R.) 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑥𝑥 𝐶𝐶. 𝑅𝑅.
Compression Ratio = Operating Pressure (bar) + 1.013 / 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 1.013
1.013 𝐶𝐶. 𝑅𝑅. =
1.013
Compressed Air (slpm) = Free Air (lpm) x Compression Ratio (C.R.) 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝑥𝑥 𝐶𝐶. 𝑅𝑅.
Free air is ambient air at a given temperature and pressure, dependent on environmental conditions. The
Compression Ratio is the ratio between the absolute discharge air and the absolute suction pressure. It is used
to convert to compressed air delivery at standard atmospheric conditions (14.7 psia, 68°F, 36% relative
humidity) at sea level.
Air Consumption for Pneumatic Cylinder (estimate):
Flow (scfm) = Area (in²) x 2 x Stroke (in) x Duty Cycle (cycles/min) / 2(𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 )𝑥𝑥 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
1728 x Compression Ratio (C.R.)
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝐶𝐶. 𝑅𝑅. � �
1728
Sizing an Air Compressor:
Avergae System Demand (cfm) = Compressor Delivery (scfm) x Duty 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝑥𝑥 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 %
Cycle (% on) / Compression Ratio (C.R.) x 100 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 =
𝐶𝐶. 𝑅𝑅. 𝑋𝑋 100
On Time (min) = Tank Volume (in³) x (Max. Pressure (psi) – Min. Pressure (psi)) 𝐼𝐼𝑁𝑁3 𝑥𝑥 (𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝐼𝐼𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 − 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝐼𝐼min ) 𝑉𝑉 (𝑝𝑝1 − 𝑝𝑝 2 )
/ 14.7 x Compressed Air Flow (scfm) 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = 𝑇𝑇min=
14.7 𝑥𝑥 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 14.7 𝑥𝑥 𝑄𝑄
Sizing a Hydraulic Accumulator (isothermal conditions):
Combined Gas Law: p1 V1 T2 = p2 V2 T1 (*use absolute values)
Where:
• V1 = Empty Accumulator Gas Volume (in³)
• p1 = Precharge Pressure (psia)
• V2 = Accumulator Gas Volume (in³) @ P2
• p2 = Minimum System Pressure (psia)
• V3 = Accumulator Gas Volume (in³) @ P3
• p3 = Maximum System Pressure (psia)
• ∆V = Oil Outlet Flow (in³)
(𝑽𝑽𝟏𝟏 𝒑𝒑𝟏𝟏 )(𝒑𝒑𝟑𝟑 − 𝒑𝒑𝟐𝟐 ) ∆𝑉𝑉(𝑝𝑝3 𝑝𝑝2 )
∆𝑽𝑽 = 𝑉𝑉1 =
(𝒑𝒑𝟑𝟑 𝒑𝒑𝟐𝟐 ) 𝑝𝑝1 (𝑝𝑝3 − 𝑝𝑝2 )
Sizing a Valve:
Hydraulic Valve; Where:
• ∆p = Differential pressure between inlet &
• C v = Velocity Coefficient
outlet (psi)
• Q = Flow (gpm)
• SG = Specific Gravity of Liquid Media
𝑸𝑸√𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 ∆𝑝𝑝
𝑪𝑪𝒗𝒗 = 𝑄𝑄 = 𝐶𝐶𝑣𝑣 �
�∆𝒑𝒑 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆
The metric equivalent to C v is flow factor, noted as Kv. The equation is identical, though the units of flow used
are cubic meters per hour (m³/hr) and units of pressure used are bar.
Pneumatic Valve; Where:
• C v = Velocity Coefficient
• p1 = Absolute Inlet Pressure (psia)
• Q = Flow (scfm)
• p2 = Absolute Outlet Pressure (psia)
• ∆p = Differential pressure between inlet & outlet
• SG = Specific Gravity of Gaseous Media
(psi)
Subsonic Flow:
𝑸𝑸√𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 𝑝𝑝2 ∆𝑝𝑝
𝑪𝑪𝒗𝒗 = 𝑄𝑄 = 𝐶𝐶𝑣𝑣 �
�𝒑𝒑𝟐𝟐 ∆𝒑𝒑 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆
Sonic Flow (choked flow):
• Critical velocity is reached when absolute
𝑸𝑸√𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 downstream (outlet) pressure is less than or
𝑪𝑪𝒗𝒗 = 𝒑𝒑 equal to 53% of absolute upstream (inlet)
� 𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟏 � pressure.

The metric equivalent to C v is flow factor, noted as Kv. The equations are identical, though the units of flow used
are normal cubic meters per hour (m³/hr) and units of pressure used are bar/bara.

𝑲𝑲𝒗𝒗
𝑪𝑪𝒗𝒗 = 𝐾𝐾𝑣𝑣 = 0.86𝐶𝐶𝑣𝑣
𝟎𝟎. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖
General Information and “Rules of Thumb”:
Estimating pump drive horsepower: 1 hp of input drive for each 1 gpm at 1,500 psi pump output
Horsepower when idling a pump: an idle and unloaded pump will require about 5% of its full rate hp
Reservoir capacity (Gallons) = length (in) x width (in) x height (in) x air gap % / 231
Oil compressibility: 1/2% approximate volume reduction for every 1,000 psi of pressure
Wattage to heat hydraulic oil: each 1 watt will raise the temperature of 1 gallon of oil by 1°F per hour
1 HP = 0.746 kW = 2545 BTU/hr = 746 Watts = 44,760 Joules/min
1 bar = 14.5 psi = 100 kPa = 0.987 atm = 29.603”Hg
1 atm = 14.7 psi = 1.013 bar = 29.921”Hg
1”Hg = 0.49 psi = 13.609”H2 O
1 in = 25.4 mm
1 in² = 6.45 cm²
1 in³ = 16.387 cm³
1 ft² = 144 in² = 929 cm²
1 ft³ = 1728 in³ = 28.317 liters = 7.481 gallons
1 gallon = 3.785 liters = 231 in³ = 0.134 ft³
1 lb-ft = 12 lb-in = 1.356 Nm
1 meter/sec = 3.28 ft/sec = 39.36 in/sec
°C = 5/9(°F -32); °F = °C x 9/5 + 32
°K = °C + 273.7; °R = °F + 459.7
Guidelines for flow velocity in hydraulic lines:
2 to 4 ft/sec = suction lines
10 to 15 ft/sec = pressure lines up to 500 psi
15 to 20 ft/sec = pressure lines 500 – 3,000 psi
25 ft/sec = pressure lines over 3,000 psi
4 ft/sec = any oil lines in air-over-oil systems