Spray Mix Calculators Spray Tip Calculator

Spray Tip Calculator: Find the Right Nozzle Size

Calculate the required nozzle flow rate (GPM) for any target application rate, then match it to the correct spray tip size and ISO color code. Works for TeeJet, Hypro, John Deere, and all ISO-standard flat fan, air induction, and flood tips.

⚠️ Always verify against your tip manufacturer's flow chart.

This calculator uses the ISO 10625 standard flow rate formula. Actual output varies by tip brand, wear condition, and water temperature. Calibrate your sprayer after selecting tips.

First time here? Use Tip Finder — enter GPA, speed, and spacing to get the right tip size in seconds.

On this page: Calculator · The formula explained · ISO color chart · Tip types guide · Pressure guide · Related tools · FAQ

Need to calibrate your sprayer? Sprayer Calibration Calculator · Want actual GPA output? Gallons Per Acre Calculator.

Calculator

Spray Tip Size & Flow Rate Calculator

Choose a mode: Tip Finder to get required GPM and matching tip size · Flow Checker to verify a tip you already have · Speed Solver to find the speed needed for a given tip and GPA.

Enter your target application rate, ground speed, and nozzle spacing. The calculator finds the required GPM per nozzle and recommends the closest standard ISO tip size.

Tip: After finding your tip size, use the Sprayer Calibration Calculator to confirm your actual output in the field.

Already have tips installed? Enter the tip size (ISO number), your ground speed, and nozzle spacing to see what GPA you're actually applying — and whether it matches your target.

Know your tip size and target GPA? Find the exact ground speed required to hit that rate. Useful for dialing in existing equipment without changing tips.

⚠️ Changing speed affects application rate but also boom stability and coverage uniformity. Stay within the manufacturer's rated speed range for your tips.

Replacing or upgrading spray tips?

Once you've identified the right tip size above, here's what to look for:

See all recommended spray equipment including sprayers, measuring tools, and safety gear.

How to calculate spray tip size: the formula

The standard spray tip sizing formula relates gallons per acre (GPA), ground speed (mph), and nozzle spacing (inches) to the flow rate each nozzle must produce:

GPM = (GPA × MPH × Spacingin) ÷ 5,940

Where 5,940 is a unit-conversion constant (derived from 43,560 sq ft/acre ÷ 12 in/ft ÷ 60 min/hr × 10). This is the same formula used by TeeJet, Hypro, and John Deere in their nozzle selection guides.

Once you have the required GPM, match it to a standard ISO tip size at your operating pressure. Because tip flow rate scales with the square root of pressure:

GPMactual = GPMrated × √(PSIactual ÷ 40)

This pressure correction is applied automatically in the Flow Checker and Speed Solver tabs above. ISO tip ratings are always expressed at 40 PSI (2.76 bar).

Example: What tip size for 15 GPA at 12 mph with 20-inch spacing?

Required GPM = (15 × 12 × 20) ÷ 5,940 = 0.606 GPM. At 40 PSI, the closest standard tip is a 06 (White) at 0.6 GPM, or a 05 (Gray) at 0.5 GPM run at slightly reduced speed. Use the Tip Finder tab to explore different speed and spacing combinations instantly.

Spray tip ISO color code chart (TeeJet, Hypro, John Deere)

All major tip manufacturers — TeeJet, Hypro, and John Deere — follow the ISO 10625 color standard. The color tells you the flow rate at 40 PSI. This is consistent across flat fan, air induction (AIC/AI), turbo, and flood nozzle types.

ISO Tip Size Color GPM @ 40 PSI GPM @ 30 PSI GPM @ 20 PSI Typical application
005 Orange 0.05 0.043 0.035 Ultra-low volume; spot spray
01 Green 0.10 0.087 0.071 Low-volume; small boom
015 Blue 0.15 0.130 0.106 Low GPA; high-speed application
02 Yellow 0.20 0.173 0.141 Low-mid GPA; 5–12 GPA range
025 Purple 0.25 0.217 0.177 Mid-range; versatile
03 Red 0.30 0.260 0.212 Mid GPA; most common broadcast
04 Brown 0.40 0.346 0.283 Higher GPA; fungicide, insecticide
05 Gray 0.50 0.433 0.354 High-volume applications
06 White 0.60 0.520 0.424 High GPA; wide boom or slow speed
08 Light Blue 0.80 0.693 0.566 Very high volume or large spacing
10 Light Green 1.00 0.866 0.707 Flood nozzle; large droplet

GPM at other pressures = GPMrated × √(PSI ÷ 40). The Tip Finder tab applies this correction automatically.

Spray nozzle tip types: which one should you use?

Spray nozzle tip size (ISO number / color) determines how much is applied. Tip type determines droplet size, spray angle, and drift potential. The two are independent choices.

Tip Type Common Names Droplet Size Pressure Range Best Used For
Flat Fan XR, TT (TeeJet); ULD (Greenleaf) Fine–Medium 15–60 PSI Broadcast herbicide, fungicide; standard applications
Air Induction (AI) AIC, AIXR (TeeJet); Guardian Air (Greenleaf) Very Coarse–Ultra Coarse 30–90 PSI Drift-sensitive herbicide; dicamba, 2,4-D applications
Turbo Flat Fan TT, TTI (TeeJet); Turbo TeeJet Medium–Coarse 20–60 PSI Herbicide and fungicide; wider pressure range
Flood / Full Cone TK FloodJet, Fulljet (TeeJet) Coarse–Very Coarse 5–15 PSI Soil-applied herbicide; pre-emergent bands
Hollow Cone Disc/Core, D-series (TeeJet) Very Fine–Fine 40–150 PSI Foliar penetration; tree/vine canopy insecticide
Even Flat Fan EvenFlat (TeeJet) Fine–Medium 20–40 PSI Band applications; requires no overlap

For drift-sensitive pesticides like high-REI products or dicamba formulations, always choose an air induction tip that meets the product label's droplet size requirement (typically Coarse or larger per ASABE S572.1).

Operating pressure guide for spray tips

Pressure is one of the most misunderstood variables in spray tip selection. Here's what to know:

Pressure Range Effect on Droplet Effect on Pattern Risk
Below 15 PSI Very large, irregular Poor uniformity; collapsed pattern Under-application in center
15–25 PSI Large–Very Coarse Acceptable; low drift Low for most tips
25–40 PSI Medium–Coarse Good uniformity; standard operation Low–moderate drift risk
40–60 PSI Fine–Medium Good; wider effective width Increased drift potential
Above 60 PSI Very Fine–Fine Wide; excellent coverage High drift risk; not recommended for most products

Pro tip: If you need to run above 40 PSI for adequate coverage, consider switching to a smaller tip size and slowing down, or using an air induction tip that produces coarser droplets at higher pressures. Check your specific tip manufacturer's pressure-vs-droplet chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate the correct spray tip size?

Use the formula: GPM = (GPA × MPH × Spacing in inches) ÷ 5,940. The result is the flow rate each nozzle must deliver to hit your target GPA at that speed. Then match that GPM to the closest ISO tip size at your operating pressure using the color chart above, or use the Tip Finder tab to do the calculation instantly.

What do TeeJet and Hypro spray tip color codes mean?

Color codes follow the ISO 10625 standard, which all major manufacturers including TeeJet, Hypro (Pentair), and John Deere use. Each color represents a specific flow rate at 40 PSI: yellow tips (02) flow 0.20 GPM, red tips (03) flow 0.30 GPM, brown tips (04) flow 0.40 GPM, and so on. The ISO number is 10× the rated GPM at 40 PSI.

Is a TeeJet 03 the same as a Hypro 03?

In terms of flow rate, yes — both a TeeJet 03 and Hypro 03 flow approximately 0.30 GPM at 40 PSI per the ISO standard. The differences between brands are tip body design, turret compatibility, spray angle, and droplet spectrum at various pressures. Always check the specific manufacturer's selection guide for your application type and pressure range.

What is the difference between a John Deere spray tip and a TeeJet?

John Deere tips are often manufactured by or to the same ISO standard as TeeJet and Hypro tips. The tip size numbering and color coding are identical. Many John Deere OEM tips are physically interchangeable with aftermarket TeeJet or Greenleaf tips of the same ISO size. This calculator works equally for all brands following ISO 10625.

How do I quickly calculate what a 10% change in speed does to my GPA?

GPA and speed have an inverse relationship — if you increase speed by 10%, your GPA drops by approximately 9% (since GPA = constant ÷ speed). So going from 10 mph to 11 mph while applying 15 GPA would drop output to about 13.6 GPA. Use the Speed Solver tab to find the exact speed needed for any target GPA without changing tips.

What tip size should I use for herbicide applications?

Broadcast herbicide applications typically use 02 to 04 tips (yellow, red, or brown) at 10–20 GPA. For drift-sensitive herbicides like dicamba or 2,4-D ester, the product label often specifies a minimum droplet size (Coarse or larger) — in that case use an air induction tip of the appropriate size. Always check the specific product label's application equipment requirements.

What pressure should I run flat fan spray tips?

Standard extended-range flat fan tips (XR TeeJet, ULD) are typically rated 15–60 PSI with optimal uniformity at 30–40 PSI. Running above 40 PSI fragments droplets into finer, more drift-prone sizes. Running below 15 PSI collapses the spray pattern. Most field applications run 20–40 PSI. Air induction tips operate at higher pressures (30–90 PSI) due to their metering design.

How do I know when spray tips need replacing?

Replace tips when they show 10% or more variation from rated flow at rated pressure, or visible wear, streaking, or pattern distortion. Use the Nozzle Flow Rate Calculator to measure actual output from each nozzle and flag worn tips. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tips after 80–120 operating hours, depending on material (stainless, ceramic, or polymer).