| Sch 40 Pipe Size |
ID (range) |
OD |
GPM (with minimal pressure loss & noise) |
GPH (with minimal pressure loss & noise) |
GPM (with significant pressure loss & noise) |
GPH (with significant pressure loss & noise) |
| 1/2" |
.50-.60" |
.85" |
7 gpm |
420 gph |
21 gpm |
1260 gph |
| 3/4" |
.75-.85" |
1.06" |
11 gpm |
660 gph |
36 gpm |
2160 gph |
| 1" |
1.00-1.03" |
1.33" |
16 gpm |
960 gph |
58 gpm |
3510 gph |
| 1.25" |
1.25-1.36" |
1.67" |
25 gpm |
1500 gph |
100 gpm |
5940 gph |
| 1.5" |
1.50-1.60" |
1.90" |
35 gpm |
2100 gph |
126 gpm |
7560 gph |
| 2" |
1.95-2.05" |
2.38" |
55 gpm |
3300 gph |
200 gpm |
12,000 gph |
| 2.5" |
2.35-2.45" |
2.89" |
80 gpm |
4800 gph |
300 gpm |
17550 gph |
| 3" |
2.90-3.05" |
3.50" |
120 gpm |
7200 gph |
425 gpm |
25,650 gph |
| 4" |
3.85-3.95" |
4.50" |
200 gpm |
12,000 gph |
600 gpm |
36,000 gph |
| 6" |
5.85-5.95" |
6.61" |
500 gpm |
30,000 gph |
800 gpm |
48,000 gph |
|
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GPM/GPH Flow based on PVC Pipe Size
In the chart to the left is a general guideline for how much liquid a pipe of specific size can flow in GPM (Gallons Per Minute) & GPH (Gallons Per Hour.) This is a very general guide and is subject to many variables. Pressure, noise allowance, bends, fittings, viscosity, etc. affect how much liquid will flow through a pipe of given size. If you can accept more noise and have higher pressure, you can pump more. If you have a lot of bends and fittings you will flow less. The flow rates shown should not produce unacceptable noise, however, many variables affect noise, so this is no guarantee that the system will be noiseless. Sometimes experimentation is the only sure way to know if a system will be noisy or not. The flow rates shown are for water, with viscosity of 1. Higher viscosity liquids will flow less, lower viscosity liquids may flow more.
Note: One of the benefits of using Flex PVC pipe is being able to make long gradual bends instead of using fittings which will allow more flow with less noise.
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