Belt Conveyor Power and Torque Calculator

Size the drive for a unit-handling belt conveyor: belt pull, pulley torque and speed, motor power, IEC motor size and gearbox ratio. Results update as you type.

Parameters

Conveyor

Max. load on belt

Belt mass optional

Drive pulley diameter

Length pulley centres

Belt speed

Incline angle θ 0–30°

deg

Bed type / friction μ

Drive

Drive type

Direct Chain

Gearbox efficiency η_g

0–1

Service factor

Basic mode assumes ideal conditions

100% efficient gearbox
Chain drive: 1:1 sprockets, 100% efficient chain
Service factor 1.0, belt mass 0 kg

Real drives need more power. Use Advanced for efficiencies, sprocket ratio and a service factor before selecting a motor.

Side view

Results

Recommended motor – Next IEC size

Gearbox ratio – 4 pole, 1430 rpm

Output torque – At pulley shaft

Output speed – At pulley shaft

Belt pull F: –
Power at pulley P: –
Pulley torque T: –
Required motor power: –
Pulley speed n: –
Power × service factor: –
Belt speed: –
Total moving mass: –
Lift height L·sinθ: –

Calculation steps

g = 9.81 m/s² · D in m · v in m/min

Quantity	Formula	With your values	Result

How belt pull is calculated

The drive has to overcome two forces: friction between the belt and the bed it slides or rolls on, and gravity pulling the load back down an incline. For a total moving mass m on a conveyor inclined at angle θ, the normal force on the bed is m·g·cosθ and the component of weight along the belt is m·g·sinθ, so the belt pull is:

F = m × g × (μ × cosθ + sinθ)

Torque at the drive pulley is belt pull times pulley radius, and power is force times speed. The motor also has to cover the losses in the gearbox and, if fitted, the chain drive, so the required power is divided by those efficiencies. A service factor is applied and the result is rounded up to the next standard IEC motor size.

This simplified method suits light to medium unit-handling conveyors (boxes, totes, cartons). It does not separately include belt bending, bearing losses, scrapers, acceleration or return strand friction. For bulk material or long, heavy conveyors use a full CEMA or ISO 5048 / DIN 22101 calculation.

What each input means

Basic / Advanced: Basic asks only for what changes the answer most and assumes ideal conditions (no drive losses, service factor 1.0). Both modes let you pick direct or chain drive (Basic assumes 1:1 sprockets). Advanced adds sprocket teeth, efficiencies, service factor, belt mass and length.
Maximum load, belt mass: Total product mass on the belt at the worst moment, plus the carrying belt if you want to include it.
Pulley diameter: Outside diameter of the drive pulley including lagging. Larger pulleys need more torque and turn slower.
Belt speed: Required belt speed, in m/min or m/s. The calculation converts to m/min internally.
Incline angle: Belt angle above horizontal. Above about 18° smooth belts can let products slide back.
Friction coefficient μ: Slider beds have far higher friction than roller beds. Use your belt supplier's value if you have one.
Drive type, sprockets: Direct: shaft-mounted gearmotor on the pulley. Chain: driven ÷ driver teeth multiplies torque and divides speed; roller chain is about 0.95 to 0.98 efficient.
Efficiencies, service factor: Helical gearboxes are about 0.94 to 0.97, worm gearboxes 0.50 to 0.90. A service factor of 1.25 to 1.5 suits steady conveyor duty.