GlenCalc

Sprinkler run time calculator

Set a few straight-sided cans on the lawn, run the sprinklers for 15 minutes and measure the water depth: multiply by 4 for inches per hour.

About 1 in a week (including rain) for most lawns in summer.

Your answer

Minutes per session38 min
Minutes per week75 min
Water per 1,000 sq ft468 gal

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How we worked it out

Updated as you change the numbers.

  1. Minutes = (water needed − rain) ÷ precipitation rate × 60, split between sessions. 1 in of water over 1,000 sq ft is 623 gallons.

Method and assumptions

Deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper roots. If water runs off before the time is up, split each session into shorter cycles with a soak in between.

Questions

How long should I run sprinklers that put down 0.6 in an hour?

For 0.75 in a week (1 in minus 0.25 in of rain), 75 minutes a week: about 38 minutes, twice a week.

Sources

Method and figures checked on . Every worked answer on this page is covered by an automated test. Found a mistake? Tell us.

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