Hydrostatic Pressure Calculator

What Is Hydrostatic Pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to the weight of the fluid column above a point. It increases linearly with depth and depends on fluid density and gravitational acceleration. Divers, dam designers, and tank engineers all rely on this relationship.

Hydrostatic Pressure Formula

Absolute pressure at depth $h$ below a free surface is:

$$P = \rho \cdot g \cdot h + P_{atm}$$

where $\rho$ is fluid density in kg/m³, $g$ is gravity in m/s², $h$ is depth in meters, and $P_{atm}$ is atmospheric pressure (about 101,325 Pa at sea level). The term $\rho g h$ is gauge pressure, measured relative to atmospheric pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hydrostatic pressure at 10 m depth in water?

Using fresh water (1000 kg/m³) and g = 9.81 m/s², gauge pressure is about 98,100 Pa (98.1 kPa). Adding standard atmospheric pressure gives roughly 199 kPa absolute.

Does fluid density affect pressure?

Yes. Denser fluids produce more pressure at the same depth. Seawater at 1025 kg/m³ creates about 2.5% more pressure than fresh water at the same depth.

What is gauge vs absolute pressure?

Gauge pressure is $\rho g h$ above atmospheric. Absolute pressure adds atmospheric pressure on top. Most depth gauges read gauge pressure.

Can I change atmospheric pressure?

Yes. High-altitude locations have lower atmospheric pressure, so absolute pressure at a given depth is lower even though gauge pressure from depth alone is unchanged.

Does shape of the container matter?

No. At a given depth below the free surface, hydrostatic pressure depends only on depth, density, and gravity. This is the hydrostatic paradox.

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What Is Hydrostatic Pressure?

Hydrostatic Pressure Formula

Frequently Asked Questions

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