Irrigation Timer Calculator

How It Works

Different sprinkler types apply water at very different rates. Fixed spray heads put out about 1.5 inches per hour, while rotors and soaker hoses deliver only 0.5 inches per hour. Knowing your rate means you can water the right amount without wasting.

Variables

• Fixed Spray: 1.5 in/hr — fast application, good for small areas — run for shorter periods
• Rotor: 0.5 in/hr — slow, even application for large areas — needs longer run times
• Drip: 1.0 in/hr — delivers water directly to roots — most efficient, least waste
• Soaker Hose: 0.5 in/hr — gentle, ground-level watering — great for garden rows
• Impact: 1.0 in/hr — classic oscillating sprinkler — good all-purpose option

Tips

• Water early in the morning (5-9 AM) when it is cool and calm. Less water is lost to evaporation and wind drift.
• Do a "catch test" to measure your actual sprinkler rate — place 5-6 straight-sided cans on the lawn, run the sprinkler for 15 minutes, then measure the water depth.
• Watering 2-3 times per week deeply is much better than watering lightly every day — it trains roots to grow deep.
• If you see runoff before the timer finishes, split the watering into two shorter cycles with a 30-minute break in between (called cycle-and-soak).
• Smart irrigation controllers adjust automatically for rain and temperature — they typically save 20-30% on water bills.
• Drip irrigation wastes the least water (up to 90% efficient) compared to sprinklers (50-70% efficient). Consider converting garden beds to drip.