<p>The first step to getting the right propellers is to figure out what size propellers will fit your drone. What you can do is measure the distance from the center of the motor to the closest thing (probably the frame) that would block the propeller. Multiply that by two, and a few millimeters smaller than that is the maximum prop size/diameter. (smaller props can also work)</p>

<p>For example: if the center of a motor is 2.6 inches away from a frame, I would get 5'' props.</p>

<p>The next thing to look at is the pitch and number of blades. This is where most of the numbers come in for props. Let's use the example of 5143. the first part, 51, is the prop diameter (5.1'') and the second part is the pitch of the prop, 43, which would mean that the pitch of the prop is 4.3''. A higher pitch generally uses more power but can result in faster flying to some extent. (sometimes the prop pitch is not entirely accurate, as it depends on what the manufacturer thinks) The number of blades of the prop will be listed separately when the dimensions of the prop are listed like this.</p>

<p>Another way you may see prop dimensions formatted is like this: 5.1x4.3x3. That essentially says the same thing except it also includes the number of blades, which in this case, is 3. The 5.1 is 5.1'' diameter and the 4.3 is 4.3'' of pitch.</p>

<p>What I would recommend is to try many different types of propellers because many props that have the same measurements will perform differently. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-22T12:23:25.897Z
I agree with this, and would like to add a little more about the pitch of the prop.  If you want to feel full control of the drone, start out with lower pitch props, for example, on a 5" prop, try a lower number for pitch - like 30 (5030).  Also, try something like a 5045.  The two will have a much different feel, and based on how you like it, you can determine which prop is best for you.
Schome1
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-22T12:33:47.220Z
I tried to edit the last comment but was unable to.  By full control, I meant that since lower pitched props don't move as much air, they are less jumpy and allow the pilot to feel more in control.  The higher pitched props are great if you want to be able to punch out very quickly, but at the cost of fine tuned control of the drone.
Schome1
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-22T01:24:51.033Z
2020-04-22T02:01:54.657Z
2020-04-22T02:01:54.657Z
Jacob B
<p>How do I know what type of propellers to get for my drone and what do the specific numbers for each propeller mean?</p>

<hardware><recommendations><propellers>
What propellers should I get for my drone?
Jacob B
# What propellers should I get for my drone?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-22)

How do I know what type of propellers to get for my drone and what do the specific numbers for each propeller mean?

**Tags:** hardware, recommendations, propellers


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2020-04-22. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

The first step to getting the right propellers is to figure out what size propellers will fit your drone. What you can do is measure the distance from the center of the motor to the closest thing (probably the frame) that would block the propeller. Multiply that by two, and a few millimeters smaller than that is the maximum prop size/diameter. (smaller props can also work)

For example: if the center of a motor is 2.6 inches away from a frame, I would get 5'' props.

The next thing to look at is the pitch and number of blades. This is where most of the numbers come in for props. Let's use the example of 5143. the first part, 51, is the prop diameter (5.1'') and the second part is the pitch of the prop, 43, which would mean that the pitch of the prop is 4.3''. A higher pitch generally uses more power but can result in faster flying to some extent. (sometimes the prop pitch is not entirely accurate, as it depends on what the manufacturer thinks) The number of blades of the prop will be listed separately when the dimensions of the prop are listed like this.

Another way you may see prop dimensions formatted is like this: 5.1x4.3x3. That essentially says the same thing except it also includes the number of blades, which in this case, is 3. The 5.1 is 5.1'' diameter and the 4.3 is 4.3'' of pitch.

What I would recommend is to try many different types of propellers because many props that have the same measurements will perform differently.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I agree with this, and would like to add a little more about the pitch of the prop.  If you want to feel full control of the drone, start out with lower pitch props, for example, on a 5" prop, try a lower number for pitch - like 30 (5030).  Also, try something like a 5045.  The two will have a much different feel, and based on how you like it, you can determine which prop is best for you.  
> **username_1**: I tried to edit the last comment but was unable to.  By full control, I meant that since lower pitched props don't move as much air, they are less jumpy and allow the pilot to feel more in control.  The higher pitched props are great if you want to be able to punch out very quickly, but at the cost of fine tuned control of the drone.  

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