Drone Flight Time Calculator — Battery Endurance
Enter your drone battery capacity (mAh), average current draw at cruise or hover, and the percentage of battery you plan to use. Get estimated flight time in minutes and the usable-vs-reserve energy breakdown.
mAh
A
%
V
Based on continuous hover / cruise at the entered current draw
33.6 min
flightUsable (flight)
80%
Safety reserve
20%
- 1
Usable capacity (Ah)
3,500 ÷ 1000 × 80 ÷ 100 = 2.8Converting mAh to Ah and applying the usable capacity percentage. - 2
Flight time (hours)
2.8 ÷ 5 = 0.56 - 3
Flight time (minutes)
0.56 × 60 = 33.6
How does this calculator work?
Flight time (min) = Battery mAh × Usable% ÷ 100 ÷ Current A × 60 ÷ 1000. A 3500 mAh battery at 5 A average draw with 80% usable gives about 33.6 min. Always leave a 20% reserve to protect LiPo cells. Real-world time is typically 15–30% shorter than calculated.
Formula
How this is calculated
A drone's flight time is determined by how much charge the battery can supply (in ampere-hours, Ah) divided by the rate at which the motors consume that charge (in amperes, A). Battery capacity is given in milliampere-hours (mAh) on the label; dividing by 1000 converts it to Ah. The usable fraction (typically 80% — leaving a 20% reserve protects LiPo cells from over-discharge damage and extends battery lifespan) is then applied. Dividing usable Ah by current draw gives flight time in hours; multiplying by 60 gives minutes.
The "average current draw" is the key variable. At full hover a mid-size quadcopter might draw 5–10 A, while aggressive flying or heavy payloads can push current 2–3× higher. A power meter (watt meter) inline with the battery provides the most accurate measurement; motor specifications list a hover-thrust current as a starting point. Real flight time is always shorter than the calculated maximum because landings, wind, and acceleration all vary current draw continuously.
If you enter the battery voltage (nominal pack voltage = cell voltage × number of cells; 3.7 V × 3S = 11.1 V, 3.7 V × 4S = 14.8 V), the calculator also shows total and usable energy in watt-hours (Wh) and the power draw in watts, which is useful for comparing different battery-motor combinations.
Frequently asked questions
Manufacturers typically measure flight time in near-calm conditions at a fixed optimal hover throttle with a fully charged battery, draining it to the low-voltage cutoff. Real-world flying involves wind, acceleration, payload weight, temperature effects on LiPo cells, and a safety reserve, all of which reduce practical flight time by 15–35%.
Most pilots use 80% (land at 20% remaining) as the standard safety margin for LiPo batteries — going below 20% shortens battery life significantly and risks mid-air shutdown. In mild conditions with a known battery, 85% is acceptable; in cold weather or with an older battery, 75% is safer.
The best method is to fly a typical pattern and log current draw with a telemetry system, ESC logger, or inline watt meter. As an estimate, check the motor manufacturer's thrust test data for hover thrust current. For consumer drones, some manufacturers publish hover current draw in their specs.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Drone Flight Time Calculator — Battery Endurance [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/drone-flight-time-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Drone Flight Time Calculator — Battery Endurance." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/drone-flight-time-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Drone Flight Time Calculator — Battery Endurance," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/drone-flight-time-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_drone_flight_time_calculator, title = {Drone Flight Time Calculator — Battery Endurance}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/drone-flight-time-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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