Drip Faucet Calculator
Even slow leaks add up. Measure water waste, costs, and missed conservation opportunities caused by dripping fixtures in your home or business.
Count drips in 15 seconds and multiply by four for accuracy.
Check your utility bill; US average is about $0.01–$0.02 per gallon.
Default represents a 7-minute shower with a 2.5 GPM showerhead.
Daily water loss
10.8 liters
Annual water loss
1,041.37 gallons
Annual cost
$12.5
Equivalent showers lost
61.26
How to Use This Calculator
Count the drips
Use a timer to measure drips per minute from the leaking faucet or showerhead.
Enter your water rate
Combine water and sewer charges per gallon or use the default if you’re unsure.
Review waste equivalents
The calculator converts leaks into annual gallons, costs, and shower comparisons to emphasize impact.
Formula
Daily Liters = Drips/min × 0.00025 × 60 × 24
Annual Gallons = Daily Liters × 365 ÷ 3.785
Annual Cost = Annual Gallons × Cost per Gallon
Shower Equivalent = Annual Gallons ÷ Shower Volume
Example: 30 drips per minute wastes ~10.8 liters daily, 2,850 gallons annually, and costs about $34 per year.
Fixing leaks saves both money and the equivalent of 167 seven-minute showers.
About the Drip Faucet Calculator
Water utilities estimate that household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons annually in the US alone. This calculator enables quick, visual quantification of small leaks, motivating timely repairs.
When to Use This Calculator
- Home inspections: Document leak impacts for clients.
- Facility management: Prioritize maintenance tasks across multiple fixtures.
- Educational outreach: Show community members how small leaks add up.
- Utility rebates: Demonstrate savings from replacing fixtures.
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Simple inputs: Only three values needed to estimate waste.
- ✅ Tangible comparisons: Converts results into showers for easy storytelling.
- ✅ Financial insight: Calculates annual cost to quantify return on fixing leaks.
- ✅ Flexible defaults: Works worldwide—adjust water cost to your area.
Common Applications
Plumbers: Provide customers with data-backed recommendations.
Schools: Support water conservation lessons and STEM projects.
Property managers: Track ROI on preventative maintenance programs.
Tips for Best Results
- Measure leaks at different times to capture variability.
- Consider sewer charges if billed separately—they often mirror water rates.
- Use flow-rate bags or buckets for larger leaks beyond drips.
- Combine with fixture replacement costs to calculate payback period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the drop volume?
We use 0.25 mL per drop, a common plumbing estimate. Actual volume varies by faucet—measure with a graduated cylinder for precision.
What if I have multiple leaking fixtures?
Calculate each leak separately and sum the annual gallons and costs for a whole-house view.
Does hot water change the cost?
Hot water leaks waste energy too. Add the energy cost per gallon from your water heater to capture the full impact.
How quickly should I fix a leak?
Immediately. A leak at 60 drips/min wastes around 5,700 gallons annually—roughly the drinking water needs of a family for a year.