Drone Flight Time & Payload Calculator
Payload actually changes the answer here, because hover power scales with all-up weight. Most free calculators divide capacity by one fixed current draw and give you the same number whatever you hang underneath.
The battery
mAh
The S number — 3S, 4S, 6S
S
Wh
Never fly a LiPo flat — 80% is the standard rule
%
Advanced / Custom Input — the pack
3.7 V for LiPo, 3.6 V for most Li-Ion 21700 cells.
V
Only used for the pack-weight comparison, not the flight time.
0 to have the tool estimate it from the chemistry.
g
The aircraft
Airframe, motors, electronics
g
Sets a typical watts-per-kilogram
From the build type — override with your own thrust-stand figure
W/kg
Advanced / Custom Input — the airframe
At full throttle. From the motor manufacturer’s thrust table.
g
2:1 is the standard rule for stable controllable flight.
:1
What is it carrying?
This changes the power draw, not just the weight — which is exactly what most calculators miss.
Camera, gimbal, sensor, parcel, spray tank
g
Hover is the ideal figure. Real flying costs more.
Advanced / Custom Input — the conditions
Filled in from the style above. 1.0 is pure hover.
Holding position against wind costs power continuously.
km/h
Cold packs deliver less usable energy.
°C
The whole mission
nos
Land, swap, restart, get back on task
min
Advanced / Custom Input — the mission
Minutes held back for the approach and any go-around.
min
0 to skip. The tool will show the gap against your figure.
min
Result
Put in your battery and airframe weight, then press “Work out the flight time”.
Estimate only — calm-air figures from a hover power model. Real flights come in shorter, and wind, cold and an old pack all take their share. Verify against your own logged flights, and check current civil aviation rules before flying.