How do you calculate hose proof test pressure?

Multiply the assembly's rated working pressure by the test multiplier from your spec. For a 3000 psi assembly at a 1.5x multiplier, the proof test pressure is 4500 psi.

What multiplier should I use for a pressure decay test?

SAE and ISO standards commonly call for a proof pressure of 1.5x to 2x the maximum working pressure. Burst testing goes higher (often 4x), but proof testing intentionally stays below burst so the assembly is reusable.

What is a pressure decay test versus a burst test?

A decay (proof) test holds a sub-burst pressure and watches for pressure loss that signals a leak; a burst test deliberately pressurizes to failure to verify the safety margin. Decay testing is non-destructive; burst testing destroys the sample.

How long should I hold the test pressure?

Hold times range from a few seconds for production proof checks to several minutes for qualification. The default 0.083 hr (5 minutes) is a common qualification hold; the calculator reports the hourly equivalent so you can compare protocols.

Why does the hourly equivalent look so large?

A 5-minute hold (0.083 hr) is a fraction of an hour, so dividing 4500 psi by 0.083 scales it up to about 54,217 psi/hr. It is a normalization figure for comparing hold durations, not a pressure you actually apply.

Does this account for temperature during the test?

No. Gas-based decay tests are sensitive to temperature swings that mimic leaks. For accurate results, stabilize temperature before timing the hold and use a reference master if your spec requires it.

Hose, Tubing & Fluid Conveyance Products calculator

Pressure Decay Test Calculator

A pressure decay test verifies that a hydraulic or pneumatic hose assembly holds its rated pressure without leaking past crimped fittings, swaged ends, or the tube wall. Quality engineers and assembly shops use it to set the proof pressure a finished assembly must survive before it ships — typically 1.5x to 2x the working pressure per SAE J343 and ISO 1402. This calculator converts a published working pressure into the actual test pressure you apply on the bench and expresses it as an hourly equivalent so you can compare hold protocols of different durations. Getting it right is the difference between catching a marginal swage on the test stand and finding it on a customer's machine.

What this calculator does

Estimate test hold pressure and hourly pressure equivalent for a hose or tubing assembly pressure decay leak test from working pressure, test multiplier, and hold time.
Use it when setting up a pressure decay leak test procedure for hose or tubing assemblies, or reviewing test parameters against the product working pressure.
It computes the proof test pressure for a hose assembly by multiplying working pressure by your test multiplier, plus an hourly-rate equivalent based on hold time.

Formula used

Pressure decay test pressure = working pressure x test pressure multiplier
Hourly test pressure equivalent = test pressure / test hold time

Inputs explained

Assembly working pressure:
Test pressure multiplier:
Test hold time:

How to use the result

Use it when writing a proof-test spec, qualifying a new crimp die, or auditing whether your test stand pressure matches the assembly's rating.
It sets the target pressure only — it does not model allowable decay rate, temperature compensation, or the volumetric leak threshold that actually decides pass/fail.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The U.S. has 11,391 plastics and rubber products establishments employing about 815,988 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

How do you calculate hose proof test pressure? Multiply the assembly's rated working pressure by the test multiplier from your spec. For a 3000 psi assembly at a 1.5x multiplier, the proof test pressure is 4500 psi.
What multiplier should I use for a pressure decay test? SAE and ISO standards commonly call for a proof pressure of 1.5x to 2x the maximum working pressure. Burst testing goes higher (often 4x), but proof testing intentionally stays below burst so the assembly is reusable.
What is a pressure decay test versus a burst test? A decay (proof) test holds a sub-burst pressure and watches for pressure loss that signals a leak; a burst test deliberately pressurizes to failure to verify the safety margin. Decay testing is non-destructive; burst testing destroys the sample.
How long should I hold the test pressure? Hold times range from a few seconds for production proof checks to several minutes for qualification. The default 0.083 hr (5 minutes) is a common qualification hold; the calculator reports the hourly equivalent so you can compare protocols.
Why does the hourly equivalent look so large? A 5-minute hold (0.083 hr) is a fraction of an hour, so dividing 4500 psi by 0.083 scales it up to about 54,217 psi/hr. It is a normalization figure for comparing hold durations, not a pressure you actually apply.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.