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Zone A — Power Transmission

Gear Ratio Calculator

Calculate gear ratio, output RPM, and output torque for a simple two-gear mesh from tooth counts and input speed/torque.

z2 / z1 — driven / driver

Enter your values

Tooth counts, then input speed and torque.

: 1 ratio
Enter positive, non-zero values for all fields.

How this calculator works

For a simple two-gear mesh, the gear ratio is the driven tooth count divided by the driver tooth count:

GR = z₂ / z₁

Output speed and torque follow from the ratio, assuming an ideal mesh with no power loss:

N₂ = N₁ / GR T₂ = T₁ × GR

A ratio greater than 1 means the output gear turns slower than the input but delivers more torque — a speed reducer. A ratio less than 1 is a speed increaser, and trades torque for speed.

Reading the result

Ratio (GR)Effect
> 1Speed reduction, torque increase
= 11:1, no change in speed or torque
< 1Speed increase, torque reduction

Frequently asked questions

Does this account for gear mesh efficiency?

No — this calculates the ideal, lossless case. Real gear meshes typically run at 96–99% efficiency per stage; apply that factor to the torque result if you need a realistic estimate.

Can I use this for a gear train with more than two gears?

For a compound gear train, calculate the ratio of each mesh stage separately, then multiply the stage ratios together to get the overall ratio.