In this Heat Transfer Coefficient Calculator, we will show you how to find the heat transfer coefficient in just a few seconds.
We will also help you understand what the heat transfer coefficient means, the formula used to calculate it, and why it is important in thermal systems.
What is heat transfer coefficient?
How does it relate to surface area, heat flow, and temperature difference?
How do you calculate it with real-world examples? You’ll find all the answers here!
Heat Transfer Coefficient Calculator
Example Problem
Narrative: Suppose hot water is flowing through a pipe with surface area 2 m². The heat lost to the surrounding air is 1000 W, and the temperature difference between the pipe surface and the surrounding air is 20°C. Find the heat transfer coefficient.
- Step 1: Given Data
Heat Transfer Rate (q) = 1000 W
Surface Area (A) = 2 m²
Temperature Difference (ΔT) = 20°C - Step 2: Formula
h = q / (A × ΔT) - Step 3: Substitution
h = 1000 / (2 × 20)
h = 1000 / 40 - Step 4: Solution
h = 25 W/m²·K
Reference Values of h
| Type of Heat Transfer | h (W/m²·K) |
|---|---|
| Natural Convection (Air) | 5 – 25 |
| Forced Convection (Air) | 25 – 250 |
| Water (Liquid cooling) | 500 – 10,000 |
| Boiling / Condensation | 2,500 – 100,000 |
FAQs
What is heat transfer coefficient?
The heat transfer coefficient tells us how easily heat flows between a solid surface and the fluid around it. It depends on the surface area, heat flow, and temperature difference.
Why is the heat transfer coefficient important?
It helps us understand how good a surface is at transferring heat, whether in cooling, heating, or insulation applications.
What are typical values of heat transfer coefficient?
For air, it’s usually small (5–250 W/m²·K), for water it’s much higher (500–10,000 W/m²·K), and for boiling or condensation it can be very large.