Lookup Table: Motor & Prop Sizes, KV, LiPo Cell Count, and Weight for FPV Drone Builds

by Oscar

Choosing the right motor size and KV for your FPV drone can be challenging, especially when considering prop size and LiPo voltage. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, this guide provides a range of options based on my years of experience of various builds.

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Looking to learn how to build an FPV drone from scratch? Check out my comprehensive tutorial here: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-build-fpv-drone/

FPV Drone Components Table

This lookup table is designed to help those building a new FPV drone who may be unsure about the ideal motor and propeller combinations. It’s important to note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, but rather a collection of popular and successful examples for different prop sizes and LiPo cell counts.

I’ve tried to include as many examples as possible, but if you find something missing, please share your input in the comments below. Your feedback is invaluable in making this resource even better for fellow FPV drone enthusiasts.

Prop SizeClassCell CountMotor SizeMotor KVLiPo Battery mAhDry Weight
31mm Whoop1S0603, 080218000-25000300-45020-30g
2S08021200030020-30g
40mm Whoop1S0802, 110215000-1800045025-35g
2S0802, 0806, 110310000-16000300-45030-60g
3S1102, 11038000-11000300-45040-70g
2" Triblade2S1103, 1105, 11066000-11000300-45060-80g
3S1104, 1105, 11065500-7500300-45060-100g
4S1105, 11065000-6000450-65070-130g
2.5" Triblade2S11045000-600030055-70g
3S11064500650120-140g
4S1304, 14044500-5000450-850140-180g
2.5" Two-Blade (65mm)Ultralight1S11021350030025-35g
Ultralight2S1103, 11047000-10000450-52040-60g
Ultralight3S1104, 1105, 1106, 1203, 12046000-8000300-65045-65g
Ultralight4S1104, 1105, 1106, 1203, 12044000-450045055-90g
3" TribladeFreestyle2S14044500-5000
Freestyle3S1407, 1408, 15073500-4500550-850120-200g
Freestyle4S1306, 1407, 1408, 1507, 16063000-4200450-1000140-260g
Freestyle6S1408, 1507, 16062800-3000550-650140-260g
3" Two-BladeLong Range1S1103, 120211000Li-Ion 2500-3000mAh
Ultralight1S1103, 1202, 1202.511000-14000450
Ultralight2S1105, 1106, 1203, 1204, 13036000-800045040-60g
Ultralight3S1105, 1106, 1108, 1203, 1204, 1207, 1303, 1304, 14044500-6500300-45055-75g
Ultralight4S1105, 1106, 1108, 1203, 1204, 1207, 1303, 1304, 14043500-5000450-55060-80g
3" Cinewhoop4S1404, 1408, 1507, 2203, 22043800-4600850-1300180-350g
6S1507, 2203, 22042800850180-350g
4" TribladeFreestyle3S
Freestyle4S1407, 1507, 16063000-4000850-1000120-200g
Freestyle6S16062000-3000600-850120-180g
4" Two-BladeUltralight3S1306, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1504, 15053500-4500650-850110-130g
Ultralight4S1306, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1504, 15052500-3000450-650110-130g
Long Range3S14043500-4000Li-Ion 2500-3000mAh130-180g
Long Range4S14042500-3000Li-Ion 2500-3000mAh130-180g
5" TribladeFreestyle4S2306, 2207, 2306.5, 2207.52300 - 27001300-1500250-450g
Freestyle6S2207, 2207.5, 2208, 23081700 - 19501000-1300250-450g
5" Two-BladeUltralight4S1606, 1806, 2004, 2204, 22052300-3000750-1000150-250g
Ultralight6S1606, 1806, 2004, 2204, 22051600-2300450-700150-250g
6"Freestyle4S2207, 2207.5, 2208, 2405, 2407, 24082100 - 25001300-1800250-450g
Freestyle6S2207, 2207.5, 2208, 2405, 2407, 24081500-18001000-1500250-450g
7"Freestyle6S2510, 2806, 2806.5, 2808, 3106.5980-14502200350-500g
Long Range4S2408, 2507, 2508, 2806, 2806.51700-1900Li-ion 2500-3000mAh350-500g
Long Range6S2408, 2507, 2508, 2806, 2806.5980-1450Li-ion 2500-3000mAh350-500g

Dry weight refers to the total weight of the drone without the battery. Here are the definitions of the terms used in the lookup table.

What’s a Whoop?

Whoops or Tiny Whoops are small quadcopters with prop guards or ducts. Tiny whoops typically have 31mm or 40mm propellers. There are also larger whoops that uses 2″ or even 2.5″ propellers.

What’s a Cinewhoop?

A Cinewhoop is a quadcopter with prop guards, typically running 3″ propellers and capable of carrying a GoPro for capturing cinematic footage.

What’s an Ultralight FPV Drone?

Ultralight FPV drones, also known as “Toothpicks” in the hobby, are ultra-light quadcopters built with slim frames and smaller motors. The focus is on reducing weight and improving performance over durability.

What’s a Long Range FPV Drone?

The main focus of a long range FPV drone is efficiency and flight time. They usually use less aggressive motors and propeller combos, and are powered by Li-ion battery packs, achieving 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even longer flight times.

What’s a Freestyle FPV Drone?

A freestyle FPV drone is designed for general purposes that don’t fall into any of the categories mentioned above. It offers a good balance between performance, durability, and the ability to carry an action camera for HD footage recording. Essentially, it’s a powerful quadcopter that you can enjoy and maneuver with ease.

Conclusion

I hope this lookup table has provided valuable guidance in selecting the appropriate motor size, propeller size, KV, and LiPo cell count for your next drone build. Remember that these are merely suggestions, and there’s always room for experimentation to find the perfect combination for your specific applications and flying style. Happy building and flying!

Edit History

  • Mar 2021 – Table created
  • Apr 2023 – Article revised

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18 comments

Dodi Rustandi 14th September 2023 - 8:41 am

hai oscar how about 1404 motor with KV 4500 . i want to use frame diatone roma L4 and carrying runcam thumb pro with caddx nebula pro. which better using 4s lion battrey or 3s lion battrey ?

Reply
Oscar 14th September 2023 - 5:05 pm

That motor KV might be too high for 4S.

Reply
Seth 29th August 2023 - 1:18 am

Could you please include motor sizes and kv for a 4s and 6s 3.5″ cinewhoop?

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MatCron 8th July 2023 - 8:51 pm

Think that for Li-Ion on a 7″ Long Range you should change to 4000-8000

Reply
_nn 28th April 2023 - 2:33 pm

community need an update to this priceless resource :)

Reply
Oscar 28th April 2023 - 2:45 pm

have things changed much recently? :)

Reply
Jayson 4th August 2022 - 5:46 pm

This list holds immense value for those that don’t know the math to calculate what should be used. While it’s somewhat incomplete, it’s still good enough I’m coming here at least twice a month to study it to get a stronger idea of what goes with what.

Many thanks!

Reply
Oscar 5th August 2022 - 12:24 pm

Thanks! Let me know if there’s any missing quad/motor size I should add.

Reply
bhavani prasad daram 26th May 2022 - 5:33 am

hey oscar!
can you provide the calculative approach to select motor,propeller aand battery based on weight or thrust.

Reply
Jose Romulus Rebusora 8th August 2021 - 12:36 pm

Teach me how to fpv freestyl

Reply
Malcolm 4th April 2021 - 10:04 am

Hi Oscar
I would very much like to build a larger quad than those listed. Maybe 14″/15″ props for: Range/Flight Time, Stability as a camera platform, and Slower rotating props for noise/annoyance reduction.
The insane (YouTube: ‘TBS Discovery Pro on Steroids !’ being along the right lines. but very expensive. :)
Have you, or is there existing, a Motor/Prop chart for these larger Quads or any pertinent advice,
existing articles not being very comprehensive, or sometimes somewhat contradictory ?

Cheers

Reply
Oscar 4th April 2021 - 5:13 pm

Multirotor this big isn’t very popular. main stream builds are below 7″.
I don’t have experience with 14″/15″ sorry.

Reply
Scott A Abramczyk 2nd April 2021 - 3:53 pm

No such thing as a 4S, 7-in freestyle?

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Cédric 28th March 2021 - 10:14 am

Hi Oscar !
Just a little question : How a freestyle 6” quad (150-250g according to the lookup table) can be lighter than a freestyle 5” quad (250-450g ) ?
Tank you for your answer !
Happy flying
Cédric

Reply
Oscar 28th March 2021 - 1:19 pm

sorry copy and paste error.

Reply
Jason 11th December 2022 - 10:33 am

Hi Cedric, whilst we are correcting typos, shouldn’t we make certain to spell words correctly? (ie) “Tank you for your answer.” ☝️🤦

Reply
Carlos 17th March 2021 - 10:39 pm

This is a great compilation, thanks!
Based on these, some nice trends on power-to-weight and disk loading could be set, with just a few more figures

Reply
Daniel 25th January 2022 - 10:47 pm

would love to see that

Reply