HomeCalculatorsPropeller Thrust Coefficient KT

Propeller Thrust Coefficient KT

Non-dimensional thrust KT = T / (ρ·n²·D⁴). The vertical-axis quantity read from open-water propeller charts.

Propulsion
Thrust coefficient KT
0.2016 -
Formula, assumptions, and limits

Measured as a function of J in open-water tests. Typical merchant propeller KT at design J ≈ 0.18–0.25. KT drops with increasing J until the bollard-to-zero-thrust transition.

Symbol legend

SymbolMeaningUnitSource
ThrustN (input as kN)propeller trial / thrust meter
Sea-water densitykg/m³1025
Shaft revolutions per secondrev/srpm/60
Propeller diametermdrawing
Thrust coefficient - result