🔋 Battery Life Calculator
Estimate runtime for phones, laptops, drones, solar systems, and any battery-powered device
⚙️ Advanced Options
📊 Estimated Runtime
🧮 How Battery Life is Calculated
Unit Conversions:
| 1 Ah = 1000 mAh | 1 Wh = 1 Ah × Voltage |
| 1 kWh = 1000 Wh | 1 Wh = 1000 mWh |
| 1 W = 1000 mW | 1 kW = 1000 W |
Example Calculation: A 5000 mAh battery (3.7V) with 5W power consumption:
- Convert to Wh: 5000 mAh = 5 Ah × 3.7V = 18.5 Wh
- Apply 90% efficiency: 18.5 Wh × 0.9 = 16.65 Wh
- Runtime = 16.65 Wh ÷ 5W = 3.33 hours = 3h 20m
📱 Device Battery Life Examples
Smartphone
Laptop
Power Bank
Drone
Solar System
Electric Vehicle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between mAh, Ah, and Wh?
mAh (milliamp-hour) and Ah (amp-hour) measure charge capacity. They tell you how much current a battery can deliver over time.
Wh (watt-hour) measures energy capacity. It takes voltage into account: Wh = Ah × Voltage.
Example: A 5000 mAh (5Ah) battery at 3.7V has 18.5 Wh of energy. mAh is simply 1/1000 of Ah.
Why is real battery life shorter than calculated?
Real-world factors that reduce battery life include:
- Voltage drop - Batteries don't maintain exact voltage
- Heat - Higher temperatures increase internal resistance
- Battery age - Capacity decreases over time
- Device efficiency - Power conversion losses
- Background processes - Apps and services consume power
Use 80-85% efficiency for more realistic estimates.
How do I calculate battery life for solar systems?
For solar systems, use:
- Capacity in kWh (kilowatt-hours)
- Power in kW (kilowatts)
Also factor in:
- Depth of Discharge - Lead-acid: 50%, Lithium: 80-100%
- Inverter efficiency - Typically 85-95%
- System losses - Wiring, temperature, etc.
What is depth of discharge (DoD)?
Depth of Discharge (DoD) is how much of the battery's capacity you use before recharging.
- Lead-acid batteries: 50% DoD (using more shortens lifespan)
- Lithium-ion batteries: 80-100% DoD (can use almost full capacity)
Higher DoD = more runtime but shorter battery lifespan.
Can I use this for EV battery calculations?
Yes! For electric vehicles:
- Use kWh for battery capacity (e.g., 60 kWh Tesla Model 3)
- Use kW for power consumption (e.g., 15 kW highway driving)
- Formula: Runtime = Battery kWh ÷ Power kW
Example: 60 kWh ÷ 15 kW = 4 hours of driving (about 240 miles at 60 mph).
How accurate is this battery calculator?
Our calculator provides mathematically precise results based on:
- Battery capacity and voltage
- Power consumption
- System efficiency (adjustable)
- Depth of discharge (adjustable)
For best accuracy, measure actual power consumption with a watt meter and adjust efficiency based on your device.