Hazen-Williams Equation for Pipe Head Loss: C-Factor, Units, and Example

Technical illustration showing how pipe diameter and C-factor affect Hazen-Williams head loss

The Hazen-Williams equation commonly appears in calculations for full water pipes, including water-distribution, industrial-water, and fire-water systems. It estimates how much pressure head is lost through friction as water travels along a pipe. The calculation uses flow rate Q, pipe length L, actual inside diameter D, and a Hazen-Williams C-factor. Straight-pipe friction is only one … Read more