Spray Mix Calculators Drone Sprayer Mix Calculator

Drone Sprayer Mix Calculator (UAV)

Calculate the correct ULV chemical mix per tank for agricultural drone sprayers. Includes a nozzle flow rate checker and job planner for DJI Agras, XAG, Hylio, and all agricultural UAV sprayers.

⚠️ Drone mix rates are NOT the same as ground sprayer rates.

Drones apply 0.5–2 GPA (Ultra-Low Volume) vs 15–30 GPA for ground rigs. This means concentrate per tank is much higher. Always calculate with your actual drone GPA — never use a standard ground sprayer mix chart for a drone.

On this page: Calculator · ULV explained · GPA by drone model · Related tools · FAQ

Need ground sprayer mix rates? Spray Mix Calculator · Calibrating a ground rig? Sprayer Calibration Calculator.

Calculator

UAV Mix Rate, Flow Rate & Job Planner

Mix Calculator — how much chemical per tank · Flow Rate — verify nozzle output vs speed · Job Planner — tanks, chemical, and flight time for any field.

Quick presets

Presets fill in tank size and typical GPA. Adjust as needed and enter your label rate below.

Drone & application settings

Chemical label rate

Always verify: Some product labels restrict use on drones or require drone-specific rates. Check that your product is registered for aerial/UAV application in your state.

Verify that your nozzle(s) can deliver the target application rate at your planned flight speed and swath width. If the required flow rate is outside your nozzle's rated range, adjust speed or GPA.

Compare the required flow rate per nozzle to your nozzle manufacturer's rated flow range. If outside range: reduce flight speed, increase GPA, or switch nozzle size.

Plan your full job — total tanks, chemical needed, flight time, and refill schedule. Fill in Tank & Rate first (or use the Mix Calculator tab values).

Drone settings

Field & speed

🔬 Measuring small concentrate volumes accurately?
At ULV rates a small measuring error has big consequences. A measuring syringe or graduated cylinder is essential for drone mixing. See all recommended spray equipment.

Why drone spray mixing is different: ULV explained

Agricultural drones use Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) application — typically 0.5–2 gallons per acre of total spray mix. A conventional boom sprayer applies 15–30 GPA. This single difference changes everything about how you mix.

The concentration problem

If a product label says "16 fl oz per acre" and your drone applies at 1 GPA, you need to put 16 fl oz of concentrate into every gallon of mix. At 1:8 ratio, that is an extremely concentrated solution. Using a ground-sprayer mixing chart (which might call for 2 oz per gallon at 8 GPA) would result in a massive under-dose on the crop.

Oz per tank = Label rate (oz/acre) × (Tank size in gal ÷ Application rate in GPA)

Example: 10L tank · 1 GPA · label rate 16 fl oz/acre → Tank covers 10L ÷ 3.785 = 2.64 gal ÷ 1 GPA = 2.64 acres per tank → Concentrate needed = 16 oz/acre × 2.64 acres = 42.3 fl oz (≈ 1.25 L) per tank

This is why the Mix Calculator tab above does this calculation for you — manual errors at ULV concentrations can damage crops or result in severe under-dosing.

Typical application rates by drone model

These are typical operating parameters. Always verify against your drone's controller settings and calibration data — actual output depends on nozzle selection, flight speed, and altitude.

Drone Model Tank Size Typical GPA Typical L/ha Coverage per Tank
DJI Agras T10 10 L (2.6 gal) 0.8–1.5 GPA 7–14 L/ha 1.7–3.3 ac per tank
DJI Agras T25 16 L (4.2 gal) 0.8–2 GPA 7–19 L/ha 2.1–5.3 ac per tank
DJI Agras T40 40 L (10.6 gal) 0.8–2 GPA 7–19 L/ha 5.3–13.2 ac per tank
DJI Agras T50 40 L (10.6 gal) 0.8–2 GPA 7–19 L/ha 5.3–13.2 ac per tank
XAG P40 10 L (2.6 gal) 0.7–1.5 GPA 6–14 L/ha 1.7–3.7 ac per tank
Hylio AG-272 7.9 gal (30 L) 1–3 GPA 9–28 L/ha 2.6–7.9 ac per tank
Generic 10L agri-drone 10 L (2.6 gal) 0.5–2 GPA 5–19 L/ha 1.3–5.3 ac per tank

Coverage per tank = Tank size (gal) ÷ GPA. Use the Mix Calculator tab for exact values at your specific rate.

Drone nozzle flow rate: why it matters

Your drone's controller sets the pump output based on flight speed and target GPA. But before flying, it is worth verifying that your nozzles can physically deliver the required flow rate at your target settings. The relationship is:

Required flow per nozzle (GPM) = (GPA × speed in mph × swath in ft) ÷ (5,940 × nozzle count)

If the required flow rate exceeds your nozzle's rated maximum, you will be under-applying. If it is below the minimum, droplets may be too large and coverage will suffer. The Flow Rate tab calculates this and tells you whether your setup is within a typical nozzle operating range.

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate drone sprayer mix rate?

Drone mix per tank = label rate (oz or mL/acre) × acres per tank. Acres per tank = tank size (gallons) ÷ GPA. Because drones apply 0.5–2 GPA, the concentrate per gallon of mix is much higher than a ground sprayer. Use the Mix Calculator tab above to get an exact figure.

How many gallons per acre does a drone sprayer apply?

Most agricultural drones apply 0.5–2 GPA (Ultra-Low Volume). Some fungicide and insecticide applications use up to 3–5 GPA where coverage density is critical. This compares to 15–30 GPA for conventional boom sprayers.

What is the DJI Agras T40 mix rate?

The DJI Agras T40 has a 40L tank and typically operates at 1–1.5 GPA (10–15 L/ha). At 1 GPA, a full tank covers approximately 10.6 acres. The exact mix rate depends on your product label rate — use the Mix Calculator tab with your specific label rate for an exact figure.

Why is drone spray concentration higher than ground sprayer mix?

Because drones apply much less water per acre, the chemical must be far more concentrated in the tank to deliver the same oz-per-acre dose. Applying a ground sprayer mix formula to a drone tank would result in severe under-dosing. Always calculate drone mix rates using drone GPA.

How do I calculate nozzle flow rate for a drone?

Required flow per nozzle (GPM) = (GPA × speed in mph × swath width in ft) ÷ (5,940 × number of nozzles). Use the Flow Rate tab above to calculate this automatically and check it against your nozzle's rated operating range.

Does my product label need to allow aerial application?

Yes — applying any pesticide aerially (including by drone) when the label does not permit it is illegal under FIFRA. Look for "aerial application" or "drone" language in the "Directions for Use" section. Many products now have drone-specific rate tables. If your product only lists ground rates, contact the registrant or your state ag department before proceeding.

What speed should I fly a drone sprayer?

Most agricultural drones spray effectively at 8–15 mph (13–24 km/h). Faster speeds reduce coverage time but require higher nozzle flow rates to maintain GPA. Wind conditions, crop height, and target coverage density also affect optimal speed. Use the Flow Rate tab to verify your nozzle can keep up at your planned speed.