Set Volume & Water Applied per Set
Irrigate drip
Enter the system flow in L/s, the run time in hours and the irrigated area to get the water applied per set in cubic metres and the depth in millimetres. Volume m³ = flow L/s × hours × 3.6.
Enter your irrigation set
Next: compare the 35.6 mm applied depth to your crop's allowable depletion — most field crops want 25–50 mm per irrigation, so adjust the run time or flow to hit that window without runoff.
Volume = flow × time × 3.6; depth = volume ÷ area.
Irrigation set volume — key facts
- Set volume
- flow L/s × hours × 3.6 (m³)
- 1 L/s for 1 h
- = 3.6 m³
- Application depth
- volume ÷ area (mm)
- 1 mm over 1 ha
- = 10 m³
- Flow unit
- litres per second
- m³/h to L/s
- ÷ 3.6
- Gross vs net
- apply efficiency factor
- Privacy
- Runs in your browser; nothing uploaded
Know exactly how much water each set applies
Every irrigation set delivers a fixed volume of water, and the only way to schedule properly is to know it. A flow of one litre per second carries 3.6 cubic metres in an hour, so run time and flow together fix the volume. Spread that volume over the irrigated area and you get a depth in millimetres — the same unit as crop water need, rainfall and evapotranspiration — so you can tell at a glance whether a set over-waters, under-waters or lands just right.
This tool gives the set volume in cubic metres, the application depth in millimetres and the irrigated area from the flow rate and run time. Use it to size sets to soil capacity, budget pumping volumes and avoid runoff. Pair it with the Drip Zone Scheduling, Emitter Flow and Water Hammer tools for a full irrigation plan.
Match the soil
Apply a depth the root zone can actually hold.
Budget the pump
Know the cubic metres each set will draw.
Avoid runoff
Stop before the depth exceeds infiltration.
Compare to need
Read depth in mm against crop water demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the set volume calculated?+
From the flow rate and the run time. A flow of one litre per second delivers 3.6 cubic metres in an hour, so the volume per set is flow (L/s) × hours × 3.6. The tool multiplies your system flow by the time the set runs to give the total water applied in cubic metres.
How is the application depth in millimetres found?+
Depth is the volume spread evenly over the irrigated area. One cubic metre over one hectare is 0.1 mm, and one millimetre over one hectare is 10 cubic metres. The tool divides the set volume by the area and converts to millimetres, so you can compare it directly with crop water need and rainfall.
Why convert volume to a depth in millimetres?+
Crop water demand, rainfall and evapotranspiration are all quoted as depths in millimetres, so converting your applied volume to mm lets you check whether a set meets the crop's need without over- or under-watering. A set that applies 25 mm against a 30 mm depletion, for example, leaves a small deficit you can plan around.
What flow units does it use?+
The calculator works in litres per second for flow, which is the common unit for irrigation pumps and channels. If your meter reads in cubic metres per hour, divide by 3.6 to get litres per second, or use the equivalent figure — one cubic metre per hour is about 0.278 litres per second.
Does this account for irrigation efficiency?+
The volume and depth here are gross figures — the water leaving the system. Real application efficiency is below 100 percent because of evaporation, wind drift, runoff and deep percolation. To get the net depth reaching the root zone, multiply by your system efficiency (often 0.6–0.95 depending on method) using the related efficiency tools.
Can I use it for drip, sprinkler or flood?+
Yes — the volume and depth maths is the same for any method, as long as you enter the flow actually delivered and the area actually wetted. For drip, the wetted area is smaller than the field, so enter the wetted area to get a meaningful depth; for sprinkler and flood, use the full set area.
How do I find my system flow rate?+
Read it from a flow meter on the mainline, or sum the rated discharge of the emitters or sprinklers running in the set. For pumps, the pump curve gives flow at the operating head. If you only know cubic metres per hour, divide by 3.6 to enter litres per second.
What is a typical irrigation set depth?+
It varies widely — a light sprinkler set might apply 8–15 mm, a heavy flood or furrow set 50–100 mm. The right depth refills the soil to field capacity without exceeding the root zone's holding capacity, which depends on soil type and crop rooting depth. Use the depth output to match the set to the available water in the soil.
Are the figures precise?+
The volume and depth are exact for the inputs you enter. Accuracy depends on knowing the true flow and the true wetted area — measured flow and a checked area give reliable numbers. Treat the depth as a gross figure and apply an efficiency factor for the net amount reaching the crop.