Enter the total PPF and coverage area into the calculator to determine the PPFD.

PPFD Calculation Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the PPFD from the total PPF and coverage area.

PPFD = Total PPF / Coverage Area

Variables:

  • PPFD is the Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (μmol/m²/s)
  • Total PPF is the total Photosynthetic Photon Flux (μmol/s)
  • Coverage Area is the area over which the light is distributed (m²)

To calculate the PPFD, divide the total PPF by the coverage area.

What is PPFD Calculation?

PPFD calculation refers to the process of determining the number of photons in the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) range that land on a square meter of target area per second. This involves understanding the total PPF, the area over which the light is spread, and the resulting PPFD. Proper PPFD calculation is essential for optimizing plant growth in controlled environments such as greenhouses and indoor farms.

How to Calculate PPFD?

The following steps outline how to calculate the PPFD using the given formula.


  1. First, determine your total PPF based on the light source specifications.
  2. Next, measure the coverage area over which the light is distributed.
  3. Use the formula from above: PPFD = Total PPF / Coverage Area.
  4. Finally, calculate the PPFD by plugging in the values.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Total PPF = 2000 μmol/s

Coverage Area = 4 m²

FAQ

1. What is PPF?

PPF, or Photosynthetic Photon