Reynolds Number Calculator

The Reynolds number calculator can either be used in manual mode or alternatively used in with the standard atmosphere calculator.

Andrew Wood | 28 September 2022

Calculators

Calculator

Reynolds Number

The Reynolds number is an important dimensionless quantity used to predict whether a flow is laminar or turbulent, and is defined as the ratio of inertial to viscous forces in a fluid.

The calculator can either be used in manual mode (density, viscosity or kinematic viscosity known); or alternatively use it in conjunction with the built-in Standard Atmosphere calculator to quickly determine the Reynolds number in a standard atmosphere for any altitude and temperature combination.

Standard Atmosphere

Manual Calculation

Use Standard Temperature

Altitude

Temp.

Kinematic Viscosity

Use Kinematic Viscosity

Density

Viscosity

Kinematic Viscosity

Velocity

Characteristic Length:

Reynolds Number:

The Reynolds number is given by the following formula.

$$Re = \frac{Inertial Forces}{Viscous Forces} = \frac{\rho V L}{\mu} = \frac{V L}{\nu}$$

Where:

$ \rho: $ Density of the fluid

$ V: $ Velocity of the fluid passing over the object

$ L: $ Characteristic length of the body (often wing chord or fuselage length in aeronautical design)

$ \mu: $ Dynamic viscosity of the fluid

$ \nu: $ Kinematic viscosity of the fluid $ (\nu = \frac{\mu}{\rho}) $

Note: The calculator will automatically convert the units of your choice into SI units in order to maintain the non-dimensional nature of the formula. You can input into the formula with the units of your choice - no need to be consistent: e.g. you can specify altitude in feet, characteristic length in m and velocity in knots.

Reynolds Number Calculator

Share Article

Popular Posts

Search by Category