Drip Irrigation Calculator
Drip delivers water slowly at each emitter, which is ideal for beds, rows, and containers. Enter your emitters and their flow to size the zone and set run time.
Formula: total zone flow (GPH) = emitters × flow per emitter; water needed = area × depth × 0.623; run time (min) = water needed ÷ total flow × 60. Use: size the zone against your line's capacity, then set run time to replace ET minus rainfall. Drip minimizes evaporation and runoff — a genuine water-saving upgrade over sprinklers on beds and rows.
FAQ
How much water does a drip emitter use?
A typical emitter flows 0.5-2 gallons per hour. A zone of 100 emitters at 1 GPH delivers 100 GPH (about 1.67 GPM).
How long should I run drip irrigation?
Divide the gallons your area needs by the zone's total flow. For 500 gal needed at 100 GPH, run about 30 minutes. Deep, less frequent watering is generally better than frequent shallow cycles.
Is drip better than sprinklers?
Drip is roughly 90% efficient (less evaporation and runoff) versus 70-80% for sprinklers, and it keeps foliage dry, reducing disease. It costs more to install but often pays off in water savings on beds, rows, and containers.
Figures are editable example defaults for planning, not guarantees. Water needs vary by crop, soil, weather, season, and local climate — check ET data (NOAA, your state CIMIS/AgriMet network) and verify with your local extension service or agronomist.