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Drip Line Length Calculator

Work out drip line length instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Drip Line Length Calculator

One lateral runs the length of the field for every row spacing across its width, so total tape is (field width / lateral spacing) x field length. Emitter count follows from the emitter pitch along each lateral, and multiplying by the emitter discharge gives the flow the pump and mainline must deliver.

Formulas

Drip line length

Laterals = field width / lateral spacing; total length = laterals x field length

System flow

Flow (L/h) = emitters x emitter discharge

Worked example

With the default values below, Drip Line Length Calculator returns Total Drip Line Required of 4,000.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Field Length (along rows)minimum 1 m
100 m
Field Widthminimum 1 m
60 m
Spacing Between Lateralsminimum 0.1 m
1.5 m
Emitter Spacing On Lateralminimum 0.05 m
0.4 m

Results

Total Drip Line Required
4,000.0
Number Of Laterals
40
Total Emitters
10,040
System Flow At 2 L/h Per Emitter
72,288.00

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Drip line length
  3. 3System flow
  4. 4Total Drip Line Required= 4,000.0
  5. 5Number Of Laterals= 40
  6. 6Total Emitters= 10,040
  7. 7System Flow At 2 L/h Per Emitter= 72,288.00

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I add extra tape for headers and repairs?

Yes — add 5-10% for submain connections, end plugs, slack and future repairs. Buy in whole roll lengths.

What emitter discharge should I use?

Inline drip tape is commonly 1.6, 2.0 or 4.0 L/h per emitter. This tool reports system flow at 2 L/h; scale it proportionally for other emitters and check the lateral run length against the manufacturer's uniformity chart.

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