How to Calculate Fluid Pressure

Co-authored by Meredith Juncker, PhD

Last Updated: October 7, 2024 Fact Checked

When a fluid is at rest, it exerts a force perpendicular to any surface in contact with it. This force, which is due to the continuous, random motion of molecules, is known as fluid pressure. Knowing the fluid pressure is essential to mechanical and hydraulic systems that use fluids move pistons and other parts. It is usually measured in Pascals (Pa), where one Pascal is equal to one Newton per square meter (N/m2). Fluid pressure is independent of the mass of the fluid, but can be calculated with the density and height of the fluid.

How to Use the Fluid Pressure Formula

Set up the equation to be P_fluid = ρgh, where ρ is the density of the liquid, g is the acceleration of gravity, and h is the height of the liquid (or depth of the fluid). Multiply the variables together to calculate the fluid pressure.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Calculating Fluid Pressure

Download Article

1
Set up the equation. The equation for fluid pressure is independent of the mass or volume of the liquid. Instead, fluid pressure is the product of the density of the liquid, the height of the liquid above the object, and gravity. Since gravity and liquid densities are fixed (for the most part), the height of the liquid is the largest variable in the equation.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- The equation reads as P_fluid = ρgh, where ρ is the density of the liquid, g is the acceleration of gravity, and h is the height of the liquid (or depth of the fluid).
2
Multiply the variables. To solve the equation, you take the product of the three variables. You can use a calculator, or do the calculations on your own. There are also online calculators that will do this calculation for you.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- For example, if you had a fluid that with a density of (1.08 x 10³ kg/m³) and was 5.00 m high, you would multiply (1.08 x 10³ kg/m³) x 9.81 m/s² (acceleration of gravity on Earth) x 5.00 m. In this case, you would get the answer of 5.30 x 10⁴.
Advertisement
3
Analyze your results. Make sure that your results add up logically. You should not get a reading for negative fluid pressure. You also should compare different measurements to see if they follow the expected trends. For example, more dense liquids will exert more pressure at the same height. The same liquid will exert more pressure when the height is higher.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Since water is more dense than oil, you can expect water to exert more fluid pressure than oil at the same height.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Finding the Density of your Liquid

Download Article

Pour 100 mL of liquid into a pre-weighed graduated cylinder. Make sure that your measurement is correct, and then write the volume down as 100 mL. You can write in a lab journal or notebook.^{[4]
X
Research source}
2
Weigh the liquid. Put the sample of liquid on a scale. Measure the mass of 100 mL of your liquid. You can tare the scale (zero it out) with the empty graduated cylinder on it before adding the liquid, or subtract the weight of the graduated cylinder from the total weight to obtain the mass of your liquid.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- The measurement shown on the scale is the total mass of the liquid and the cylinder.
3
Calculate the liquid’s density. Density is equal to the mass of the liquid divided by the volume of the liquid. In this case, you have measured both. You will simply divide the mass by 100 mL.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- For example, if your liquid had a mass of 125 g, you would divide that by 100 mL. Your resulting answer would be 1.25 g/mL. However, make sure to pay close attention to the desired units of measurement. You may need to find the gallons per Liter (g/L) instead.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Understanding the Concepts

Download Article

The density of the liquid is significant because it tells you how much mass your liquid has per unit of volume. Gravity then exerts a force on that mass to pull it down. Finally, the height of the liquid tells you how much liquid is above the object experiencing the pressure.^{[7]
X
Research source}
The units for fluid pressure are pascals or sometimes millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The pascal is an S.I. unit for pressure. The mmHg unit (and similar units that denote a height of some liquid) comes from the dependency of pressure on height.^{[8]
X
Research source}
The force that is exerted on some object by fluid pressure is only one force. There could many forces acting on the same object. For example, air pressure and fluid pressure are often added together to obtain a “total pressure” acting on some object.^{[9]
X
Research source}
Once you have calculated fluid pressure for a liquid or set of liquids, you can use them for varying applications. For example, understanding the fluid pressure of water would be important to building a water tower that can hold water at a certain height. This is also important for use in mercury thermometers, or other systems that use liquids as measurements.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What is the pressure due to water at a depth of 7.50 km below sea level?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

Seawater has a density of about 1000 kg/m^3. You have given the depth (height = 7.50 km or 7500 m), and we know the acceleration due to gravity is 9.81 m/s^2. 1000 kg/m^3 * 7500 m * 9.81 m/s^2 = 7.3 x 10^7 kg/m/s^2 or 7.3 x 10^7 Pa.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 33
Question

How do I calculate fluid pressure water in flowing rivers?

Community Answer

P= Density * Gravity * Height. Multiply the density by the gravitational force and then multiply by the height.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 16 Helpful 25
Question

Are air- and water-pressure gauges different?

Community Answer

Yes, they are different. Air pressure gauges use a Bourdon tube, while water pressure gauges use a media for measurement.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 12

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

The height, h, used above is always vertical distance.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Fluid pressure is not dependent on mass, but it is dependent on density.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Fluid pressure is very important for mechanical engineers and anyone else who needs to deal with fluid mechanics.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0