Irrigation Efficiency Calculator

Calculate application efficiency, distribution uniformity, scheduling coefficient, and water loss analysis.

Inputs

Water applied (in)

Water beneficially used (in)

Distribution uniformity (%)

Conveyance efficiency (%)

Deep percolation fraction (%)

Field area (acres)

Irrigations per season

Tab to move between fields

Results

Application efficiency (%)

73.3

Scheduling coefficient

1.33

Distribution uniformity (%)75

Overall efficiency (%)66

Deep percolation loss (in)0.24

Runoff loss (in)0.16

Seasonal water loss (gal)2,172,320

Savings vs. flood (%)25

Adjusted Gross (in)1.47

Seasonal Applied Acre (in)300

How to Use This Calculator

Enter water applied in inches and water beneficially used in inches for your system.
Set distribution uniformity (DU%) from catch-can tests or manufacturer specs.
Enter conveyance efficiency percentage for your delivery infrastructure.
Set field area in acres and number of irrigations per season for seasonal loss estimates.
Review Application efficiency (%), Scheduling coefficient, and Seasonal water loss (gallons) to identify improvement opportunities.

How the result changes with Water applied (in)

Water applied (in)	Application efficiency (%)	Scheduling coefficient
2.09	52.6	1.33
7.06	15.6	1.33
13	8.5	1.33
18	6.1	1.33

What each input means

Water applied (in): Total water depth applied per irrigation event.
Water beneficially used (in): Water stored in root zone and used by the crop (must be ≤ water applied).
Distribution uniformity (%): DU = avg low quarter / overall avg × 100. Drip=85-95%, sprinkler=70-85%, flood=40-70%.
Conveyance efficiency (%): Water delivered to field vs. water diverted. Pipe=95-100%, lined canal=85-95%, earthen=60-80%.
Deep percolation fraction (%): Fraction of losses going to deep percolation vs. runoff.
Field area (acres): Total irrigated area for seasonal loss calculations.
Irrigations per season: Number of irrigation events during the growing season.

What each result means

Application efficiency (%): Percentage of applied water beneficially used by the crop.
Distribution uniformity (%): How evenly water is distributed across the field.
Scheduling coefficient: Multiplier to ensure driest area receives adequate water (1/DU).
Overall efficiency (%): Combined application and conveyance efficiency.
Deep percolation loss (in): Water lost below root zone per irrigation.
Runoff loss (in): Water lost to surface runoff per irrigation.
Seasonal water loss (gal): Total water lost over the irrigation season.
Savings vs. flood (%): Water saved compared to flood irrigation (55% efficiency).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Water applied (in) = 1.5, Water beneficially used (in) = 1.1, Distribution uniformity (%) = 75, Conveyance efficiency (%) = 90 = 7 input(s) provided
Calculate Application efficiency
Application efficiency = (waterBeneficiallyUsedIn / waterAppliedIn) * 100
73.3 = 73.3
Calculate Scheduling coefficient
Scheduling coefficient = 100 / duPct
1.33 = 1.33
Calculate Distribution uniformity
Distribution uniformity
75 = 75
Calculate Overall efficiency
Overall efficiency = (applicationEffPct * conveyanceEffPct) / 100
66 = 66

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Precision Irrigation

Irrigation Audit Calculator

Calculate Distribution Uniformity (DU) and Christiansen's CU from catch can test data to evaluate irrigation system performance.

Crop Farming

Irrigation Scheduling Calculator

Determine when and how much to irrigate based on evapotranspiration rate, current soil moisture, root depth, and soil water-holding capacity.

Irrigation

Crop Coefficient Calculator

Calculate growth-stage Kc values and crop ET using FAO-56 methodology for irrigation scheduling.

Viticulture & Wine

Vineyard Irrigation Scheduling

Calculate gallons of irrigation water per vine per week based on evapotranspiration rate, vine growth stage, and spacing for precision vineyard water management.