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Submersible Pump Selection Calculator

Work out submersible pump selection instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Submersible Pump Selection Calculator

A submersible pump must lift water from the pumping level, not the static level, so drawdown at design flow is added first. On top of that come the rise to the storage tank, the tank pressure converted at 2.31 feet per psi, and a friction allowance. Each stage of a typical four-inch submersible develops roughly 25 feet of head.

Formulas

Total dynamic head

TDH = static level + drawdown + surface rise + psi x 2.307 + friction

Stage count

Stages = TDH / head per stage (about 25 ft for a 4 in submersible)

Worked example

With the default values below, Submersible Pump Selection Calculator returns Total dynamic head of 260.3. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Static water level below grademinimum 0 ft
120 ft
Drawdown at design flowminimum 0 ft
25 ft
Rise from wellhead to tankminimum 0 ft
15 ft
Pressure required at tankminimum 0 psi
40 psi

Results

Total dynamic head
260.3 ft
Pumping water level
145.0 ft
Head from tank pressure
92.3 ft
Approximate stages needed
11

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Total dynamic head
  3. 3Stage count
  4. 4Total dynamic head= 260.3 ft
  5. 5Pumping water level= 145.0 ft
  6. 6Head from tank pressure= 92.3 ft
  7. 7Approximate stages needed= 11

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Submersible Pump Selection figure worked out?

TDH = static level + drawdown + surface rise + psi x 2.307 + friction. A submersible pump must lift water from the pumping level, not the static level, so drawdown at design flow is added first.

Why does drawdown matter so much?

In a low-yielding well drawdown can exceed the static depth, doubling the head. Sizing on static level alone leaves the pump unable to deliver its rated flow.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Static water level below grade, Drawdown at design flow, Rise from wellhead to tank, Pressure required at tank. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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