Field Irrigation Runtime Calculator
Estimate irrigation runtime from field area, target water depth, and system flow rate.
Field Irrigation Runtime measurements
Enter your values, then calculate.
Result
How to calculate field irrigation runtime
Use this calculator to estimate how long an irrigation system must run to apply a chosen depth of water across a field.
How the calculation works
One acre-inch contains about 27,154 gallons. Field acres multiplied by inches gives acre-inches; converting that volume to gallons and dividing by gallons per minute gives runtime.
Example
A 12-acre field receiving 0.6 inch at 900 gal/min requires about 3.62 hours of pumping.
Frequently asked questions
Does this include irrigation efficiency?
No. Divide the system flow by the expected efficiency fraction or increase the target depth to account for known losses.
Field Irrigation Runtime Calculator
One acre-inch contains about 27,154 gallons. Field acres multiplied by inches gives acre-inches; converting that volume to gallons and dividing by gallons per minute gives runtime.
Let's understand your field irrigation runtime result.
Calculate a result above and this guide will help you interpret it using this calculator's own formula and explanation.
Pro Tips for Field Irrigation Runtime
- Use the measured pump flow, not only the nameplate rating.
- Reduce the target depth when rainfall has already supplied part of the crop requirement.
Common Field Irrigation Runtime Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring distribution losses can make the calculated runtime shorter than the actual runtime needed.
When to Use This Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate how long an irrigation system must run to apply a chosen depth of water across a field.