🌿 Hydroponic System Calculator

Plan your hydroponic garden with precision. Calculate nutrient solution mix ratios, pH targets, water usage, electricity costs, expected yields, and monthly nutrient expenses.

Hydroponic Calculator

Total capacity of your nutrient reservoir.
Total number of plants in your system.
Total floor or bench space used by your system.
Average US residential rate: $0.13–$0.20/kWh.
Typical: $0.10–$0.25 per gallon of mixed nutrient solution.

Your Hydroponic System Estimate

Nutrient Mix Ratio
pH Target Range
EC/PPM Target
Water Usage / Day
Electricity / Month
Expected Yield (lbs/month)
Nutrient Cost / Month

How It Works

Our hydroponic system calculator uses established horticultural data to estimate nutrient requirements, water consumption, energy use, and crop yields for common hydroponic system types and plant varieties. Values are derived from university extension research and commercial hydroponics industry standards.

Nutrient Solutions & EC/PPM

Electrical Conductivity (EC) measures the dissolved salts in your nutrient solution, typically expressed in mS/cm or converted to PPM (parts per million). Different plants require different nutrient strengths: leafy greens thrive at lower EC (1.2–1.8 mS/cm), while fruiting crops like tomatoes need higher EC (2.0–3.0 mS/cm) during fruiting stages. PPM is roughly EC × 500 (using the 500 scale) or EC × 700 (using the 700 scale).

Formula

Water Usage = Number of Plants × Daily Water per Plant Nutrient Cost = (Reservoir Volume × Refills per Month) × Cost per Gallon Electricity = Pump/Wattage × Hours/Day × 30 Days × $/kWh Yield = Growing Area × Yield per Sq Ft × Growth Rate Factor Monthly Yield = (Total Yield per Crop × Crops per Month)
Pro Tip: The Kratky method uses no electricity for water pumps, making it the lowest-cost hydroponic system for beginners. Leafy greens and herbs are the easiest to start with — they grow fast, have lower nutrient demands, and tolerate a wider pH range than fruiting crops.