Encoder resolution & wheel distance calculator
Every count, accounted for. Calculate output-shaft encoder counts per revolution, angular resolution and ideal wheel travel per count using quadrature decoding and gearbox ratio.
- Output counts per revolution
- 40,960
- Degrees per count
- 0.008789
- Ideal travel per count
- 0.01534 mm
Calculations run in your browser. No account or upload required.
How to use this calculator
- Read the encoder data sheet and identify pulses per channel per motor revolution.
- Select 1×, 2× or 4× decoding and enter motor-to-output reduction.
- Enter wheel radius in metres to estimate ideal linear travel per count.
Formula & convention
Output counts/rev = pulses/channel/rev × decoding multiplier × motor rev/output rev. Degrees/count = 360 ÷ counts. Distance/count = 2πr ÷ counts.
Worked example
1024 pulses per channel, 4× decoding and a 10:1 reduction produce 40,960 output counts/rev. At r=0.1 m, ideal travel is approximately 0.01534 mm/count.
Assumptions & limits
PPR and CPR are used inconsistently by manufacturers. Input single-channel pulse cycles, not an already quadrature-multiplied count. Encoder is assumed on the motor shaft. Quantization resolution is not accuracy; backlash, slip and missed edges are excluded.