If you have a 2 in nozzle, how many 1 in nozzles are needed to equal the GPM of the 2 in nozzle flowing at the same pressure?

To determine how many 1-inch nozzles are needed to equal the GPM (gallons per minute) of a 2-inch nozzle, it’s essential to understand the flow capacity of each nozzle size. A 2-inch nozzle typically has a flow rate significantly higher than a 1-inch nozzle due to its larger diameter, allowing more water to pass through.

When calculating flow rates, a common rule of thumb is that the flow rate of a nozzle increases substantially with an increase in diameter. Specifically, the flow rate for a nozzle increases approximately with the area of the opening, and since a circle's area increases with the square of the radius, a 2-inch nozzle can deliver roughly four times the flow of a 1-inch nozzle at the same pressure.

When analyzing the specific flow rates, if a 2-inch nozzle delivers around 250 GPM, for example, a typical 1-inch nozzle may produce around 60 to 70 GPM under similar conditions. To match the flow of a 2-inch nozzle, you need to consider the total flow rate of multiple 1-inch nozzles.

Calculating the GPM needed to equal the 2-inch nozzle flow would typically lead to a requirement of about four