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Drone Motor Calculator

Calculate required motor thrust based on drone weight and performance requirements

Calculate Motor Thrust Requirements

Frame, motors, propellers, electronics

LiPo battery pack weight

Camera, gimbal, payload

: 1

Motor Thrust Requirements

0g
Total Weight
0g
Total Thrust Required
0g
Thrust per Motor
2:1 Thrust-to-Weight Ratio
Good for aerial photography and gentle flying

Calculation: Total Thrust = Weight × Thrust-to-Weight Ratio

Formula: 0g × 2 = 0g ÷ 4 motors = 0g per motor

Example Calculation

FPV Racing Quadcopter

Drone weight: 500g (frame, motors, ESCs, FC)

Battery weight: 150g (4S 1500mAh LiPo)

Equipment weight: 50g (FPV camera and VTX)

Total weight: 700g

Thrust-to-weight ratio: 4:1 (for racing)

Number of motors: 4

Calculation Results

Total thrust required = 700g × 4 = 2,800g

Thrust per motor = 2,800g ÷ 4 = 700g

Recommended motor: 700-850g thrust each

Thrust-to-Weight Ratios

1.5

Minimal

Barely able to lift off

2

Photography

Stable hovering, gentle flight

3

FPV Beginner

Good control, moderate aerobatics

4-5

Racing

Aggressive maneuvers, fast response

6+

Extreme

Professional aerobatics

Motor Selection Tips

✓

Choose motors with 10-20% more thrust than calculated

💡

Consider motor weight when calculating total drone weight

⚡

Match motor KV rating with battery voltage

🔧

Ensure ESC can handle motor current draw

Common Drone Types

Photography

2:1 ratio, stable platform

FPV Freestyle

3:1-4:1 ratio, responsive

Racing

4:1-6:1 ratio, high agility

Aerobatic

5:1+ ratio, extreme performance

Understanding Drone Motor Requirements

Thrust-to-Weight Ratio

The thrust-to-weight ratio determines your drone's performance characteristics. A ratio of 2:1 means your motors can produce twice the thrust needed to lift the drone, allowing it to hover at 50% throttle.

Motor Thrust Calculation

Thrust per Motor = (Total Weight × Ratio) ÷ Motors

  • Total Weight: Sum of all drone components
  • Ratio: Desired thrust-to-weight ratio
  • Motors: Number of motors on the drone

Motor Selection Factors

  • •Thrust Rating: Maximum thrust the motor can produce
  • •KV Rating: RPM per volt, affects speed vs torque
  • •Current Draw: Power consumption affects flight time
  • •Motor Weight: Affects total drone weight
  • •Propeller Compatibility: Must match motor specifications

Pro Tip: Always choose motors with 10-20% more thrust than calculated to ensure adequate performance and allow for weight variations.

Related Drone Calculators

Drone Flight Time Calculator

Calculate flight time based on battery and power consumption

Battery Capacity Calculator

Calculate battery energy storage and requirements

Thrust-to-Weight Ratio Calculator

Calculate thrust-to-weight ratios for various applications