Use our free Froude Number Calculator to quickly determine the Froude Number (Fr) for various fluid flow scenarios, particularly in open channel flow. Understand the balance between inertial and gravitational forces to classify flow as subcritical, critical, or supercritical, crucial for hydraulic engineering analysis.
Formula:
The Froude Number (Fr) is a dimensionless quantity representing the ratio of inertial forces to gravitational forces. It is calculated using the following formula:
Fr = V / √(g × L)
- Fr = Froude Number (dimensionless)
- V = Flow Velocity (in meters per second, m/s)
- g = Acceleration due to Gravity (in meters per second squared, m/s²)
- L = Characteristic Length (in meters, m). For open channel flow, this typically refers to the hydraulic depth.