Wageningen B-series Propeller

Open-water propeller performance from the classic Wageningen B-series KT-KQ charts - thrust and torque coefficients, efficiency, and required shaft power at a given advance ratio. The universal first-pass tool for screw-propeller sizing.

DesignPropeller

Loading calculator…

This calculator requires JavaScript to compute its result. The formula, symbols, and regulatory sources are shown in the Formula section below.

Formula, assumptions, and limits

K_T = \frac{T}{\rho n^2 D^4}, \quad K_Q = \frac{Q}{\rho n^2 D^5}, \quad \eta_O = \frac{J \cdot K_T}{2\pi K_Q}

Symbol	Meaning	Unit
$K_T$	Thrust coefficient
$K_Q$	Torque coefficient
$\eta_O$	Open-water efficiency
$J$	Advance ratio $V_A / (n D)$
$T$	Thrust	kN
$Q$	Shaft torque	kN·m
$\rho$	Sea-water density	kg / m³
$n$	Shaft rotation rate	rev / s
$D$	Propeller diameter	m
$P/D$	Pitch ratio
$A_E/A_O$	Expanded area ratio
$Z$	Number of blades

Source: Oosterveld & van Oossanen - *Wageningen B-series polynomials* (International Shipbuilding Progress, 1975); MARIN - *Wageningen Propeller Series*; Carlton - *Marine Propellers and Propulsion*

In short

KT, KQ and open-water efficiency for a Wageningen B-series propeller from pitch ratio, expanded-area ratio, number of blades and advance ratio.

Learn the theory Decarbonization Technologies for Ships