Calculate thrust produced by electric ducted fans (EDF), industrial blowers, and axial ventilation fans.
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The Fan Thrust Calculator evaluates the thrust generated by Electric Ducted Fans (EDF) and axial ventilation fans. By enclosing fan blades in a shroud duct, tip losses are reduced, allowing high-speed, compact jets and hovercraft to produce concentrated static and dynamic thrust.
T_{\text{fan}} = \dot{m} \cdot v_{\text{exit}} = \rho \cdot A_{\text{duct}} \cdot v_{\text{exit}}^2Where rho is air density, A_duct is nozzle exit cross-sectional area, and v_exit is exhaust velocity through the duct.
Scenario: A 70mm EDF spinning an 11-blade rotor at 45,000 RPM producing 120 mph exit velocity.
Duct Diameter: 70mm (0.07m).
Exit Airspeed: ~120 mph (53.6 m/s).
Calculated Thrust: ~1,550 grams (15.2 N / 3.42 lbs).
FSA stands for Fan Swept Area. It is the total interior cross-sectional area of the fan shroud minus the cross-sectional area of the central motor hub.
Open propellers have much larger diameters, moving a larger volume of air slowly. Ducted fans move small volumes of air rapidly, making them ideal for high speeds but inefficient for static hover.
EDFs run on electric batteries and brushless motors with zero flame or jet fuel required. They are cleaner, cheaper, and safer, though with shorter flight duration.
Long intake and exhaust tubes, internal obstructions, unfaired wiring, and sharp bends create friction and drag that reduce effective thrust.
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