Hydrostatic Pressure Calculator
Calculate the pressure at the bottom of a liquid column, or the height of liquid that produces a given pressure. Optional atmospheric pressure gives the absolute value.
- P = ρ × g × h = 1,000 × 9.80665 × 10 = 98,066.5 Pa
Hydrostatic Pressure Formula
Pabs = P + Patm
Where ρ is liquid density (kg/m³), g is standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²) and h is the vertical height of liquid (m). The shape of the vessel does not matter, only the vertical height.
Worked example
A 10 m column of water (1000 kg/m³) gives 1000 × 9.80665 × 10 = 98,067 Pa = 0.981 bar (14.22 psi) gauge, or about 1.994 bar absolute at sea level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much pressure does 1 m of water create?
1 m of water at 1000 kg/m³ creates 9.807 kPa, which is 98.07 mbar or 1.422 psi.
Does pipe or tank diameter affect hydrostatic pressure?
No. Hydrostatic pressure depends only on the density and vertical height of the liquid, not on the shape or width of the container.
What is the difference between gauge and absolute pressure?
Gauge pressure is measured relative to atmosphere. Absolute pressure adds atmospheric pressure, about 1.013 bar at sea level.
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