{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "propeller-diameter-vs-pitch",
 "name": "Propeller diameter vs pitch",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Aircraft design",
 "group": "Propellers",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What do the two numbers on a propeller mean, and how do diameter and pitch trade off?",
 "tags": [
  "vehicle design",
  "propellers",
  "rc design",
  "aerodynamics"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "propeller pitch vs diameter",
  "prop size explained",
  "what does 10x6 prop mean",
  "propeller pitch meaning",
  "prop diameter vs pitch",
  "rc prop sizing",
  "how to choose propeller size",
  "propeller pitch inches",
  "prop load equivalent",
  "bigger prop or more pitch"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": null,
  "width": null,
  "height": null
 },
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 "xem_status": "free-files",
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 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": null,
   "width": null,
   "height": null
  },
  "notes": [
   "An RC prop size like 10x6 gives diameter first, then pitch in inches per revolution (APC nomenclature). Pitch is the distance the prop would advance in one turn with no slip (FAA Powerplant Handbook, geometric pitch).",
   "APC compares pitch to gearing: more pitch gives higher top speed but weaker takeoff and climb; less pitch gives better acceleration and low-speed thrust (Model Aviation, APC Q&A).",
   "For engine/motor load, APC's rule of thumb is that +1 in diameter is roughly equivalent to -1 in pitch, so a 12x6 loads about like an 11x7 (Model Aviation, APC Q&A).",
   "The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "parameter",
    "value or range",
    "source"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "Size format",
     "diameter x pitch (in); pitch in in/rev",
     "APC Nomenclature"
    ],
    [
     "Geometric pitch",
     "advance per revolution with no slip",
     "FAA Powerplant Handbook"
    ],
    [
     "Load equivalence rule",
     "+1 in diameter ~ -1 in pitch (12x6 ~ 11x7)",
     "Model Aviation (APC)"
    ],
    [
     "Reference build",
     "12 x 6, 2 blades",
     "APC example"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Propeller diameter vs pitch — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch/  (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)\nBasis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- An RC prop size like 10x6 gives diameter first, then pitch in inches per revolution (APC nomenclature). Pitch is the distance the prop would advance in one turn with no slip (FAA Powerplant Handbook, geometric pitch).\n- APC compares pitch to gearing: more pitch gives higher top speed but weaker takeoff and climb; less pitch gives better acceleration and low-speed thrust (Model Aviation, APC Q&A).\n- For engine/motor load, APC's rule of thumb is that +1 in diameter is roughly equivalent to -1 in pitch, so a 12x6 loads about like an 11x7 (Model Aviation, APC Q&A).\n- The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle.\n\nparameter  value or range  source\nSize format  diameter x pitch (in); pitch in in/rev  APC Nomenclature\nGeometric pitch  advance per revolution with no slip  FAA Powerplant Handbook\nLoad equivalence rule  +1 in diameter ~ -1 in pitch (12x6 ~ 11x7)  Model Aviation (APC)\nReference build  12 x 6, 2 blades  APC example\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- APC Propellers: APC Propeller Nomenclature — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.apcprop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/APC-Propeller-Nomenclature.pdf\n- FAA: Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, Ch. 7 Propellers — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/09_amtp_ch7.pdf\n- Model Aviation (AMA), J. Smith with APC Propellers: Common Questions with APC Propellers (Mar 2021) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.modelaviation.com/node/2115\n\nFree files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=propeller-diameter-vs-pitch\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "APC Propellers",
   "title": "APC Propeller Nomenclature",
   "url": "https://www.apcprop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/APC-Propeller-Nomenclature.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "FAA",
   "title": "Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, Ch. 7 Propellers",
   "url": "https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/09_amtp_ch7.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Model Aviation (AMA), J. Smith with APC Propellers",
   "title": "Common Questions with APC Propellers (Mar 2021)",
   "url": "https://www.modelaviation.com/node/2115",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  }
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  "tolerance_mm": null
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 "related": [
  "pitch-diameter-ratio",
  "propeller-blade-count",
  "propeller-helix-angle-blade-twist",
  "propeller-slip-efficiency",
  "apc-propeller-rpm-limits",
  "apc-propeller-naming"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no printing tolerance)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no printing tolerance. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn.",
 "mating": [],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "Is a 12x6 the same load as an 11x7?",
   "a": "Roughly, per APC's +1 in diameter = -1 in pitch rule of thumb (Model Aviation)."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": {
  "name": "Xem Studio Design License",
  "holder": "Xem Studio",
  "url": "https://xemstudio.com/license/",
  "note": "Xem Studio's own design: free to use, print, modify and sell things made from it; not to be republished or redistributed as files."
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   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch-propeller.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch-propeller.stl",
   "note": "12×6 in propeller, 2 blades: each section set at the geometric pitch angle atan(P / 2πr); chord and section illustrative"
  }
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 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/propeller-diameter-vs-pitch/index.md"
}