Free Reynolds Number Calculator

Calculate the Reynolds number for flow through a pipe or over a surface: Re = rho * v * L / mu, with laminar/turbulent classification.

kg/m3
m/s
m
Pa s

Reynolds Number

100,000.00

Kinematic Viscosity0.00000100 m2/s

Reynolds Number vs Fluid Density

Reynolds Number

The Reynolds number predicts whether flow will be laminar (smooth) or turbulent (chaotic).

Formula

Re = rho v L / mu

  • *rho* = fluid density
  • *v* = flow velocity
  • *L* = characteristic length (pipe diameter, plate length)
  • *mu* = dynamic viscosity
  • For pipe flow: Re < 2300 is laminar, 2300-4000 is transitional, > 4000 is turbulent.

    Example Calculation

    Water (rho = 1000, mu = 0.001) at 2 m/s through a 5 cm pipe.

    1. 01Re = rho v L / mu
    2. 02Re = 1000 * 2 * 0.05 / 0.001
    3. 03Re = 100 / 0.001 = 100 000
    4. 04This is well into the turbulent regime.

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