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Propeller Thrust Calculator

Calculate static and dynamic thrust for propellers using momentum actuator disk theory. Supports air and water mediums with empirical thrust coefficients.

Propeller Thrust Calculator

Medium

Propeller Diameter (cm)

Propeller Pitch (cm)

Rotational Speed (RPM)

Airspeed (km/h)

Number of Blades

Altitude (m)

Temperature (°C)

Static Thrust

0.29 N

Dynamic Thrust

0.29 N

Thrust (lbf / kgf)

0.07 lbf / 0.03 kgf

Disk Area

0.0079 m²

Tip Speed

52.4 m/s (Mach 0.15)

Power (Ideal)

0.00 W

Thrust-to-Power

0.0000 N/W

Propeller Loading

0.04 kN/m²

Medium Density

1.2250 kg/m³

Calculation Breakdown

Medium Density (ρ): 1.2250 kg/m³

Disk Area (A = π × (D/2)²): 0.0079 m²

Advance Ratio (J = V / (n × D)): 0.0000

Thrust Coefficient (Ct): 0.0860

Induced Velocity (ΔV): 0.0000 m/s

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Applications

Estimate static and dynamic thrust for aircraft, drone, and marine propellers. Used by drone builders for motor-propeller matching, RC hobbyists for performance prediction, aerospace students for education, and marine engineers for propulsion system design.

Calculation Methodology

Uses momentum actuator disk theory with empirical thrust coefficient (Ct ≈ 0.105 for typical RC props). Static thrust: T = Ct × ρ × n² × D⁴. Dynamic thrust solves actuator disk equations iteratively. Air density uses ISA model for altitude correction. Water density (fresh: 999.1, salt: 1025.0 kg/m³). Ct adjusted by blade count and pitch/diameter ratio.

Fun Fact: The actuator disk model was developed by Rankine (1865) and Froude (1889) — over 160 years old and still the standard model for propeller and helicopter rotor analysis! A 10-inch drone propeller at 10,000 RPM generates enough thrust to lift about 250 kg — if you scaled it up to a 5-meter diameter at the same RPM, it could lift a small house.

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