Drone Battery Life Calculator
Estimate UAV flight times based on battery capacity, voltage, and payload. Includes safety margins and payload penalty estimations.
About
Flight time is the most critical variable in UAV operations. Running a LiPo battery to zero not only risks a crash but also permanently damages the battery chemistry. This calculator estimates safe flight duration by analyzing the relationship between Total Energy (Watt-hours) and Power Draw (Watts).
Unlike simple division, this tool incorporates a Safety Margin and a Payload Penalty. Real-world flight involves wind resistance, camera weight, and return-to-home reserves. This tool allows pilots to account for these inefficiencies, ensuring the drone is back on the ground before the voltage cutoff.
Formulas
The core calculation determines the total energy capacity and divides it by the consumption rate:
Where efficiency is (1 − Safety Margin). The Payload Penalty applies a scalar multiplier to the Power Draw (P).
Reference Data
| Drone Class | Battery (mAh) | Voltage (S) | Avg Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny Whoop (Micro) | 300 | 1S (3.7V) | 3-4 min |
| 5" Racing Drone | 1300 | 4S (14.8V) | 4-6 min |
| Cinewhoop (3.5") | 1500 | 6S (22.2V) | 5-8 min |
| Camera Drone (Mavic) | 3500 | 3S (11.1V) | 25-30 min |
| Heavy Lifter (X8) | 22000 | 12S (44.4V) | 15-20 min |