Measured [[Minor Losses]] are usually given as a ratio of head loss to velocity head
$K= \frac{\Delta p}{\frac{1}{2}\rho v^2}$
It is dimensionless.
$v$ is the average upstream velocity
Some typical contraction and expansion loss coefficients
| Transition | Contraction | Expansion |
| ---------- | ----------- | --------- |
| Gradual | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Abrupt | 0.6 | 0.8 |
Loss coefficient for :
- [[Sudden Expansion or Contraction]]
- [[Gradual Expansion or Contractions]]