The Duration of Flow Calculator finds out how many seconds it takes for a fluid—like water or air—to travel through a pipe or channel. It uses the length of the pipe and the speed of the fluid to give you a clear time. This is great for real-life decisions, like designing plumbing, planning irrigation, or setting up ventilation.
This calculator helps you keep systems running smoothly by making sure fluids move at the right pace. It’s reliable for important tasks, like avoiding delays or ensuring safety. Want to know how it’s calculated? Let’s check out the formula next.
Formula for Duration of Flow
The formula for finding the duration of flow is simple:

Where:
- Duration of Flow = Time for fluid to travel (seconds)
- L = Length of pipe or channel (feet or meters)
- V = Velocity of fluid (feet per second or meters per second)
This formula comes from basic physics—time equals distance divided by speed. Use the same units—like feet and feet per second—for accurate results. Now, let’s make it easier with a table.
Quick Reference Table for Duration of Flow
Why calculate every time? This table shows common pipe lengths and velocities with their flow times. It’s a fast way to check without math.
Pipe Length (ft) | Fluid Velocity (ft/s) | Duration of Flow (s) |
---|---|---|
10 | 5 | 2 |
50 | 10 | 5 |
100 | 4 | 25 |
200 | 20 | 10 |
How to Use the Table
- Pick your pipe length and fluid speed.
- Find the time in seconds.
- Use it to plan your system.
This table helps with searches like “time for water through 50 ft pipe.” For exact results, use the formula. Next, let’s try an example.
Example of Duration Of Flow Calculator
Suppose you have a pipe that’s 60 feet long, and water moves through it at 12 feet per second. You want to know how long it takes. Here’s how to do it:
- Plug into the formula:
Duration of Flow = L / V
Duration of Flow = 60 / 12 - Calculate:
60 / 12 = 5 seconds
So, the water takes 5 seconds to travel through the pipe. This matches standard flow calculations and helps you time your system.
Most Common FAQs
It shows how fast fluids move—key for timing pumps, valves, or deliveries.
Yes, just keep length and velocity in meters—like 10 meters at 2 m/s is 5 seconds.
Use the average speed over the pipe length for a good estimate.