Set drippers, pots, and daily water goals quickly. Get cycle counts and run time instantly. Use it before planting, and adjust as weather changes.
Plan precise watering times for every container plant. Match target volume to dripper flow and efficiency. Reduce waste, improve roots, and keep pots evenly moist.
| Target per pot (L) | Emitter flow (L/hr) | Emitters per pot | Efficiency (%) | Max cycle (min) | Soak (min) | Run per cycle (min) | Cycles | Total run (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20 | 2.00 | 2 | 85 | 8 | 20 | 5.50 | 2 | 11.00 |
| 2.00 | 4.00 | 1 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 | 1 | 33.33 |
| 0.75 | 1.60 | 2 | 80 | 6 | 15 | 9.00 | 1 | 9.00 |
Example results are illustrative. Adjust efficiency and cycling for your mix.
1) Flow per pot (L/hr)
FlowPerPot = EmitterFlow × EmittersPerPot
2) Effective flow per pot (L/hr)
EffectiveFlow = FlowPerPot × (Efficiency ÷ 100)
3) Required run time (minutes)
RunMinutes = (TargetLiters ÷ EffectiveFlow) × 60
4) Cycling
If MaxCycle > 0, Cycles = ceil(RunMinutes ÷ MaxCycle).
MinutesPerCycle = RunMinutes ÷ Cycles.
5) Delivered water (liters)
DeliveredPerPot = (EffectiveFlow ÷ 60) × TotalRunMinutes
Container media drains faster than field soil, so short errors add up quickly. A consistent timer setting protects roots from repeated stress cycles. When each pot receives the intended volume, nutrients stay in the active zone, salts accumulate more slowly, and plants maintain predictable growth. This calculator converts your target liters into minutes using measurable dripper flow.
Emitter labels are usually given in liters per hour at a reference pressure. Use the value that matches your regulator and line length as closely as possible. Adding a second emitter can reduce dry spots in wide pots and can shorten run time because total flow increases. If you use rings or multiple outlets, enter the combined emitters feeding one pot.
No irrigation system delivers perfectly. Small clogs, elevation differences, and pressure losses can reduce output. Efficiency adjusts the theoretical flow to a practical value, helping you avoid under-watering. In clean, well regulated systems, 90–95% is reasonable. For aging lines or mixed elevations, 75–85% is more realistic and safer.
Fast draining mixes may accept water quickly, but hydrophobic surfaces or compacted zones can cause runoff. Set a maximum cycle time to split watering into smaller pulses. The soak interval allows infiltration and rewetting, improving uniformity and reducing leachate. More cycles with shorter runs often outperform one long run, especially in warm, windy conditions.
Once you have minutes per cycle and cycle count, program your controller and monitor the first few events. Compare delivered volume by catching water from one pot line for a timed run. Use the weekly totals to size tanks, plan fertilizer injection, and forecast refill needs. Recalculate after pruning, seasonal shifts, or emitter changes. For seedlings, aim for smaller targets and higher frequency, while mature fruiting plants often need deeper events. Always check runoff under benches; excessive drainage indicates over-watering or poor cycling. If water quality is hard, consider flushing cycles separately to manage salt buildup and maintain emitter performance. Log settings after each seasonal adjustment for records.
Start with pot size, crop stage, and weather. Measure typical daily use, then set a single-event target that moistens the full root zone without prolonged runoff. Adjust in small steps over several days.
Use 90–95% for clean, well regulated systems. Use 75–85% if emitters clog, lines are long, or elevations vary. Lower efficiency produces a longer run time, which is safer than under-watering.
Cycling helps when water puddles, channels, or drains too fast. Set a max cycle time and add a soak gap so the mix rewets evenly. For stable media with no runoff, a single run can be fine.
Run the system for the suggested minutes and catch output from one pot’s emitters into a measuring jug. Compare liters collected to the target. If it differs, update the emitter flow or efficiency and recalculate.
The per-pot timer is based on flow to one pot. Pot count mainly affects total liters and weekly planning. If your pump cannot supply all pots at once, split zones and calculate each zone with its own flow.
Recalculate after changing emitters, pressure, pot size, media type, or plant growth stage. Seasonal temperature and wind shifts also matter. Review results weekly during peak heat, and whenever runoff or wilting appears.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.