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Fixture Unit Demand Calculator (Supply Sizing)

Convert plumbing fixtures into water-supply fixture units (WSFU), estimate probable peak demand, and size the domestic-water supply pipe. For toilets, sinks, showers, washing machines and hose bibs.

Fixtures
Supply fixture units (WSFU) estimate probable peak demand - not the sum of all flows at once. Final sizing needs the plumbing code and available pressure.
Result
total WSFU
peak GPM
Notes

About Fixture Unit Demand Calculator (Supply Sizing)

Supply piping is sized on demand - but the demand that matters is the probable peak, not the sum of every open tap. Fixture units convert a fixture schedule into one comparable number, and a demand curve turns that number into flow.

Fixture Unit Demand Calculator builds the WSFU total and converts it to peak flow and a suggested supply size for preliminary domestic-water pipe design.

Features

  • Fixture library: Toilets, sinks, showers, machines, hose bibs.
  • WSFU totals: Sums with per-fixture accounting.
  • Hunter curve: WSFU to probable peak GPM.
  • Supply size: Suggested pipe at working velocity.
  • Live update: Results while you type.
  • Export: Text, CSV or JSON report.

How to Use

  1. Count your fixtures in each input.
  2. Choose supply or private values if offered.
  3. Read the WSFU total and probable peak flow.
  4. Note the suggested supply size.
  5. Export the schedule if needed.

Examples

Example 1. A 3-bath house - 3 toilets, 3 lavatories, 3 showers, 1 kitchen sink, 1 washer, 1 dishwasher - sums to roughly 25 WSFU and suggests around 18-20 GPM peak demand.

Example 2. A small office with 4 toilets, 4 lavatories, 2 sinks and a coffee sink lands lower - near 10 WSFU and about 8 GPM.

Benefits

  • One comparable number: WSFU unifies a fixture list.
  • Honest peak: Probable demand, not worst-case.
  • Quick pipe size: Suggested supply bore fast.
  • Field ready: No chart hunting.
  • Free and private: No uploads, no logging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a water-supply fixture unit (WSFU)?
A weighting that represents the likely water demand of a fixture for supply sizing. A toilet, shower, faucet and machine each carry a WSFU value so different fixtures can be summed into one demand figure.
How does WSFU become flow?
The summed WSFU is converted to probable peak demand on a Hunter-style curve - a diminishing-returns relationship that reflects the chance of many fixtures running at once. Low totals translate almost linearly; large totals grow slowly.
Why not just add fixture flow rates?
Running rates of every fixture at maximum would oversize the pipe - no household opens every tap together. Fixture units statistically discount simultaneity, giving a pipe that handles real demand without the cost of worst-case plumbing.
Is this the same as the drainage fixture unit?
No. Drainage fixture units (DFU) size waste and vent lines from discharge volumes; supply fixture units (WSFU) size the water supply from demand of use. Values and tables are different - use the right one per system.
What size pipe does it suggest?
The calculator converts probable peak demand into a recommended supply pipe size at a working velocity. Final sizing still requires the local plumbing code, available pressure and pipe length.
Is my data stored?
No. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded, saved or logged.