Physics calculator

Pitot Tube Calculator

Compute incompressible pitot-static speed v = C √(2 Δp / ρ). Default C=1. Runs locally. Not a venturi, not an orifice, not Q=Av, and not two-station Bernoulli.

Instant result

Result

—

Enter values to calculate.

Inputs—

Mode—

Formula—

Trust summary Engine tested · Source checked · 17/17 tests · Production surface contract 3/3 · v1.0.0

Input interpretation: Enter values to calculate.
Result: —
Model: Incompressible pitot-static speed from dynamic pressure. Invert Δp or C. Default C=1.
Scope: Incompressible pitot-static; v = C √(2 Δp / ρ); default C=1
Verification: Engine tested · 17/17 tests · Production surface contract 3/3 · Source checked · v1.0.0
Named expert review: Optional · Not performed
Sources: ISO 3966 — Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits — Velocity area method using Pitot static tubes — Pitot-static probes
ISO 80000-4 — Mechanics — Pressure and velocity
Sources
Evidence: 2 golden · 10 boundary · 5 property · Production surface contract 3/3 · Artifact integrity PASS
Production: Embedded snapshot: STALE · Last attested schema matched 1.0.0 snapshot / local build · Semantic contract ✓ · Last attestation PASS · current evidence changed · re-attestation required · Public/cache ✓ · Origin ✓ · Live production status PASS (0 stale; 163 CURRENT) @ 2026-09-17T09:03:11.906Z
Semantic contract: PASS

Formulas

Core equations used by this calculator.

Velocityv = C √(2 Δp / ρ)

Dynamic pressureΔp = ρ (v / C)² / 2

CoefficientC = v / √(2 Δp / ρ)

iSI. Δp in Pa, ρ in kg/m³, v in m/s. Default C=1 (ideal). This page is not a venturi, not an orifice plate, not Q=Av, and not two-station Bernoulli.

How to use

Enter Δp

This is the pitot-static difference P0 − P_static, in pascals. Invert for Δp on the Δp tab.

Enter density ρ

Use the fluid density at the static port. Water is 1000 kg/m³. Air at 15 °C is about 1.225 kg/m³.

Optional C

Leave blank for ideal C=1. Probe coefficients are typically near 1. Do not send orifice C_d.

Read v

v = C √(2 Δp / ρ). Invert velocity uses the v field (v_m_s in the URL).

Example calculations

Common configurations with formula and result.

Water, Δp=5000 Pa

ρ=1000 kg/m³, C=1

v = √(2 × 5000 / 1000)

v = √10 ≈ 3.162 m/s

C=0.98

Same Δp and ρ

v = 0.98 √10

v ≈ 3.099 m/s

Pitot Tube calculator specification

Version 1.0.0 · Engine tested

Calculation status

Engine tested 17/17 tests · Production surface contract 3/3
Named expert review Not performed
Calculation version 1.0.0

Review policy · Evidence

Definition: Incompressible pitot-static: v = C √(2 Δp / ρ). Δp = P0 − P_static. Default C = 1.
What it calculates: Incompressible pitot-static speed from dynamic pressure. Invert Δp or C. Default C=1.
Inputs: mode?
dP|v
rho
C?
Outputs: v
dP
rho
C
mode
model
Formula: v = C √(2 Δp / ρ)
Assumptions: Incompressible pitot-static; v = C √(2 Δp / ρ); default C=1
Δp is P0 − P_static at the probe
Not compressible, not a venturi, not an orifice, not Q=Av, not two-station Bernoulli
Units: SI; Δp in Pa; ρ in kg/m³; v in m/s; C dimensionless
Boundary conditions: missing Δp, ρ, or v when required → MISSING_REQUIRED_INPUT
Δp, ρ, v, or C ≤ 0 → VALUE_MUST_BE_POSITIVE
D1/D2, C_d, A, Q, P1/v1/h1, n, K, Kv → MIXED_INPUT_ENCODING
bernoulli, venturi, or orifice as mode → INVALID_MODE
Example: dP=5000 rho=1000 → v=√10
Validation cases: 3 published on this page · 17/17 tests · Production surface contract 3/3 · View evidence
dP=5000 rho=1000 → v=√10
C=0.98 dP=5000 rho=1000 → v=0.98√10
dP=5000 rho=1000 P1=101325 → MIXED_INPUT_ENCODING
Sources: ISO 3966 — Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits — Velocity area method using Pitot static tubes — Pitot-static probes
Supports: Local velocity from dynamic pressure; C is a probe coefficient near 1
ISO 80000-4 — Mechanics — Pressure and velocity
Supports: Dynamic pressure has the dimension of pressure; v has dimension length/time
Calculation version: 1.0.0

Background

Interpretation and common distinctions.

Compute incompressible pitot-static speed from dynamic pressure.

Supported and not supported

Supported — v from Δp and ρ · invert Δp or C · optional C (default 1) · API physics.fluid.pitot

Not supported — venturi D1/D2, orifice C_d, Q=Av, two-station Bernoulli P1/v1/h1, compressible/subsonic corrections

Agent / API notes

Capability id: physics.fluid.pitot · tool id: pitot-tube · pin 1.0.0.

{ "dP": 5000, "rho": 1000 }

With a probe coefficient: { "dP": 5000, "rho": 1000, "C": 0.98 }. Modes: velocity (default), pressure, C. Errors: MISSING_REQUIRED_INPUT, INVALID_NUMBER, VALUE_MUST_BE_POSITIVE, MIXED_INPUT_ENCODING, INVALID_MODE.

Calculator URL stays /calc/physics/pitot-tube. There is no /calc/fluid.

Other calculators in this family: Venturi meter, Orifice discharge, Bernoulli equation, Flow rate .

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Frequently asked questions

Key distinctions behind the calculation.

Is this a venturi meter?

No. A converging–throat Bernoulli meter is /calc/physics/venturi. Sending D1 or D2 is MIXED_INPUT_ENCODING.

Is this an orifice?

No. Tank or plate Q=C_d… is /calc/physics/orifice-discharge. Sending C_d or A is MIXED_INPUT_ENCODING.

Is this the Bernoulli equation?

No. Two-station P/ρ + v²/2 + g h is /calc/physics/bernoulli. Sending P1, v1, or h1 is MIXED_INPUT_ENCODING. This page takes only the pitot-static Δp.

Is this Q = A·v?

No. Volumetric flow from area and velocity is /calc/physics/flow-rate. Sending A or Q is MIXED_INPUT_ENCODING.

Where does this run?

Locally in the browser by default. REST and MCP call the same fluid-engine pitotTube wrapper.