ROOF DRAINS

How much water can flow through a

pipe (GPM/GPH)?
MANUFACTURERS

ASK THE DRAIN

WIZARD
We regularly get asked about the water ow capacity of different pipe sizes, and which is the best
roof drain for a speci c pipe size. Unfortunately, recommendations aren't that straightforward
because you also need to account for water pressure, material friction and more. 

That said, we put together the following tables to serve as general guides for estimating a pipe's
water ow capacity. If you have questions, please call our Drain Wizard at 800-635-0384.  

Water Flow (GPM/GPH) based on Pipe Size and

Inside/Outside Diameters
Assume Gravity to Low Pressure.
Assume Average Pressure (20- Assume "High Pressure" PEAK ow.
NEED HE LP FINDING A DRAIN       About 6 f/s ow velocity, also
100PSI). About 12 f/s ow velocity About 18 f/s ow velocity 
OR PART? ASK THE DRAIN suction side of pump
WIZARD. HE CAN IDENTIFY GPM GPH GPM GPH GPM GPH
Pipe Size
I.D. (range) O.D. (w/ min. PSI loss (w/ min. PSI loss (w/ min. PSI loss (w/ min. PSI loss (w/ min. PSI loss (w/ min. PSI loss
EVERY DRAIN RING IN (Sch. 40)
& noise) & noise) & noise) & noise) & noise) & noise)
EXISTE NCE.
1/2" 0.5 - 0.6" 0.85" 7 420 14 840 21 1,260
CLICK HE RE
0.75 -
3/4" 1.06" 11 660 23 1,410 36 2,160
0.85"
  1" 1 - 1.03" 1.33" 16 960 37 2,200 58 3,480
1.25 -
1-1/4" 1.67" 25 1,500 62 3,750 100 6,000
1.36"
1-1/2" 1.5 - 1.6" 1.9" 35 2,100 81 4,830 126 7,560
1.95 -
2" 2.38" 55 3,300 127 7,650 200 12,000
  2.05"
LOOKING FOR ROOFING TOOLS 2.35 -
2-1/2" 2.89" 80 4,800 190 11,400 300 18,000
2.45"
AND E QUIPMENT? VISIT
3" 2.9 - 3.05" 3.5" 140 8,400 273 16,350 425 25,500
3.85 -
4" 4.5" 240 14,400 480 28,800 700 42,000
3.95"
4.95" -
5" 5.563" 380 22,800 750 45,000 1,100 66,000
5.05"
5.85 -
6" 6.61" 550 33,000 1100 66,000 1700 102,000
5.95"
8" 7.96" 8.625" 950 57,000 1900 114,000 2800 168,000
 

Water Flow (GPM) Capacity Based on ID Size and Pressure

PRESSURE FLOW IN GPM THROUGH PIPE ID IN INCHES
PSI 1" 1.25" 1.5" 2" 2.5" 3" 4"
20 26 47 76 161 290 468 997
30 32 58 94 200 360 582 1240
40 38 68 110 234 421 680 1449
50 43 77 124 264 475 767 1635
60 47 85 137 291 524 846 1804
75 53 95 153 329 591 955 2035
100 62 112 180 384 690 1115 2377
125 70 126 203 433 779 1258 2681
150 77 139 224 478 859 1388 2958
200 90 162 262 558 1004 1621 3455
 
 Water Flow Capacity in Steel Pipes (sch 40)
Pipe Size Maximum Flow (gal/min) Velocity (ft/s) Head Loss (ft/100 ft)
2" 45 4.3 3.9
2-1/2" 75 5.0 4.1
3" 130 5.6 3.9
4" 260 6.6 4.0
6" 800 8.9 4.0
8" 1,600 10.3 3.8
10" 3,000 12.2 4.0
12" 4,700 13.4 4.0
14" 6,000 14.2 4.0
16" 8,000 14.5 3.5
18" 10,000 14.3 3.0
20" 12,000 13.8 2.4
24" 18,000 14.4 2.1
 

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