Acres Per Hour Calculator
Find out how many acres you can cover in an hour based on your machine's specifications.
Select the type of machine you are using. This can help tailor the productivity recommendations.
The working width of the implement or machine in feet. This determines how wide a swath you cover in one pass.
The speed (miles per hour) at which you move across the field.
How efficiently is your machine operating? Choose an option.
The calculated number of acres covered in one hour, based on your inputs.
Based on your calculated Acres Per Hour, get insights and recommendations for improving operational efficiency.
Updated On: June 15, 2025
Acres Per Hour Calculator – Boost Farm Equipment Productivity
Created by James S. Lockwood
With a background in botany and ecological sciences, James specializes in creating practical tools and resources to help gardeners, farmers, and plant enthusiasts optimize their green spaces.
Our Acres Per Hour Calculator helps farmers, landscapers, and machine operators estimate how many acres they can cover per hour based on their machine type, implement width, travel speed, and efficiency. Whether you are using a tractor, combine, sprayer, mower, plow, or seeder, this tool provides quick calculations to improve productivity and efficiency. Whether you’re mowing a golf course or tilling a 40-acre plot, this calculator gives you an instant estimate based on your implement size and speed.
Table of Contents
Acres Per Hour Formula
The formula used in this calculator helps determine Acres Per Hour (APH) based on key factors like width, speed, and efficiency.
Formula Used:
Where:
- Implement Width (feet) – The width of your machine’s working area.
- Travel Speed (mph) – The speed at which your machine moves.
- Field Efficiency (%) – Adjusts for turning, overlap, and downtime.
- 8.25 – A conversion factor that accounts for acres per mile covered.
For example, if you have a 12-ft mower moving at 6 mph with an efficiency of 70%, the calculation would be:
Machine Types & Their Applications
🚜 Tractor
Used for a variety of fieldwork, tractors pull different implements such as plows, seeders, and mowers.
🌾 Combine
Designed for harvesting, a combine processes grains efficiently while covering large areas in minimal time.
🚜 Sprayer
Agricultural sprayers distribute fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Accuracy in application is key.
🏡 Mower (Mowing Acres Per Hour Calculator)
Used for lawn care, parks, golf courses, and agricultural mowing, the Mowing Acres Per Hour Calculator can estimate how much area you can mow based on your deck width and speed.
🛠 Plow
Prepares land for planting by turning over soil. Different plows have varying efficiencies based on depth and soil conditions.
🌱 Seeder
Ensures precise seed placement for crops. Accuracy impacts planting efficiency and crop yields.
🛠 What to Do After Field Prep?
Once you've calculated how many acres you can cover per hour, you're just getting started. Need to plan your fertilization schedule after mowing or tilling? Try our NPK Fertilizer Calculator.
If you're planting crops, estimate how much seed you'll need using the Vegetable Seed Calculator.
And for forestry or landscaping projects, don’t forget to check the Tree Planting Cost Calculator to budget accordingly.
How to Use the Acres Per Hour Calculator?
- Select Your Machine Type – Choose from Tractor, Combine, Sprayer, Mower, Plow, or Seeder.
- Enter Implement Width – The width of the cutting, spraying, or working area in feet.
- Enter Travel Speed – The speed of movement in miles per hour (mph).
- Choose Field Efficiency –
- Poor (50%) – Includes frequent stops, slow turns, and overlap.
- Average (70%) – Moderate efficiency, normal operation.
- Excellent (90%) – Minimal overlap, fast turns, optimal conditions.
- View Your Acres Per Hour – The estimated number of acres covered per hour will be displayed instantly.
- Productivity Analysis – Get tailored insights and recommendations for improving efficiency based on your calculated output.
Understanding Productivity Analysis
The Productivity Analysis section helps you interpret results and improve operations.
Low Productivity (<5 acres/hr)
✅ Suggestions:
✔ Increase travel speed (if conditions allow).
✔ Reduce overlap and improve field turning.
✔ Optimize machinery settings for efficiency.
Moderate Productivity (5-10 acres/hr)
✅ Suggestions:
✔ Improve travel patterns and avoid unnecessary stops.
✔ Ensure machinery is running at full capacity.
✔ Slightly increase speed while maintaining accuracy.
High Productivity (>10 acres/hr)
✅ Suggestions:
✔ Maintain optimal conditions.
✔ Monitor for equipment wear and tear.
✔ Keep consistent speed and reduce downtime.
Mowing Acres Per Hour Calculator
For landscapers, golf course maintenance crews, and farm operators, estimating mowing acres per hour is essential.
For a 60-inch (5-ft) mower deck running at 7 mph with 75% efficiency:
This means a 5-ft wide mower can mow 3.18 acres per hour at 7 mph with standard efficiency.
Typical Acres Per Hour Rates by Equipment Type
Bush Hog (Rotary Cutter)
Width:6 ft
Speed:4-5 mph
Efficiency:75-85%
Acres/Hour:2.18 - 3.00
Finishing Mower
Width:5-6 ft
Speed:5-6 mph
Efficiency:80-90%
Acres/Hour:2.91 - 4.00
Field Cultivator
Width:12-20 ft
Speed:5-6 mph
Efficiency:80-90%
Acres/Hour:7.27 - 13.09
Combine (Small)
Width:15 ft
Speed:4-5 mph
Efficiency:80-90%
Acres/Hour:5.82 - 8.18
Combine (Large)
Width:30-40 ft
Speed:5-6 mph
Efficiency:85-90%
Acres/Hour:18.55 - 27.27
Use This With Other Farming Calculators
If you’re planning chemical applications based on your coverage speed, try our Pesticide Application Rate Calculator.
Need to determine your sprayer’s flow rate? The PSI to GPM Calculator can help convert pressure into gallons per minute.
For drip systems, check your output with the Drip Irrigation Flow Rate Calculator.
Want to know how much water your irrigation system needs daily? Use our Irrigation Water Requirement Calculator.
If you’re estimating fuel costs, see how far you’re going with our Acres per Gallon Calculator — if you build one.
Why Use the Acres Per Hour Calculator?
✅ Saves Time – Quickly estimate coverage before starting a job.
✅ Improves Efficiency – Identify ways to optimize performance.
✅ Helps in Planning – Know how much time to allocate for fieldwork.
✅ Works for Any Machine – Suitable for farming, landscaping, and commercial applications.
FAQs Acres Per Hour Calculator
❓ How do you calculate acres per hour?
Use this formula:
Acres per hour = (Speed in mph × Width in feet × Field Efficiency) ÷ 8.25
Field efficiency accounts for turning, overlap, and terrain. Typical values range from 70% to 90%.
Acres per hour = (Speed in mph × Width in feet × Field Efficiency) ÷ 8.25
Field efficiency accounts for turning, overlap, and terrain. Typical values range from 70% to 90%.
❓ How fast can I cover 10 acres with a 6-foot implement at 5 mph?
Step 1: Apply the formula: (5 × 6 × 0.8) ÷ 8.25 = 2.91 acres/hour
Step 2: Time = 10 ÷ 2.91 ≈ 3.43 hours
So it will take about 3 hours and 26 minutes.
Step 2: Time = 10 ÷ 2.91 ≈ 3.43 hours
So it will take about 3 hours and 26 minutes.
❓ What’s the difference between field efficiency and theoretical speed?
Theoretical speed assumes 100% efficiency.
Field efficiency factors in real-world losses: turning, overlap, terrain.
For example: 10 ft implement at 5 mph
Field efficiency factors in real-world losses: turning, overlap, terrain.
For example: 10 ft implement at 5 mph
- 100% efficiency = 6.06 acres/hour
- 80% efficiency = 4.85 acres/hour
❓ What is a good acres/hour rate for a tractor or mower?
| Implement Width | Speed (mph) | Efficiency | Acres/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft | 4 | 75% | ~1.82 |
| 6 ft | 5 | 80% | ~2.91 |
| 10 ft | 6 | 85% | ~6.18 |
| 15 ft | 7 | 90% | ~11.45 |
❓ How to calculate implement width vs. travel speed?
Rearranged formula:
Width = (Acres/hour × 8.25) ÷ (Speed × Efficiency)
Example: Want to cover 5 acres/hour at 6 mph and 80% efficiency?
Width = (5 × 8.25) ÷ (6 × 0.8) = 8.59 ft
Width = (Acres/hour × 8.25) ÷ (Speed × Efficiency)
Example: Want to cover 5 acres/hour at 6 mph and 80% efficiency?
Width = (5 × 8.25) ÷ (6 × 0.8) = 8.59 ft
Disclaimer for Acres Per Hour Calculator
The Acres per Hour Calculator is provided for informational and estimation purposes only. The results generated by this tool are based on user inputs and assumed ideal conditions. The use of this calculator does not guarantee exact results and should not replace professional agricultural advice or actual field measurements. Users should consult with agronomists, farm advisors, or equipment manufacturers for precise yield and efficiency evaluations.
Discover Crop & Farming Calculators