1. What is Gear Ratio?

Gear ratio is the ratio of the number of teeth between two meshing gears. It determines the mechanical advantage and speed relationship between the driving and driven gears in a system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gear ratio formula:

Where:

• \( Teeth_{Large} \) — Number of teeth on the larger gear
• \( Teeth_{Small} \) — Number of teeth on the smaller gear

Explanation: The ratio represents how many times the smaller gear rotates for each rotation of the larger gear.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio Calculation

Details: Accurate gear ratio calculation is crucial for designing mechanical systems, determining torque multiplication, speed reduction, and ensuring proper gear meshing in various applications from bicycles to industrial machinery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth for both the large and small gears. The large gear must have equal or more teeth than the small gear. All values must be positive integers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a gear ratio of 3:1 mean?
A: A 3:1 ratio means the smaller gear rotates 3 times for each rotation of the larger gear, providing speed increase but torque reduction.

Q2: Can the small gear have more teeth than the large gear?
A: No, by definition the "large" gear should have equal or more teeth. If the smaller gear has more teeth, you've misidentified which is large vs small.

Q3: How does gear ratio affect mechanical advantage?
A: Higher ratios (larger difference in teeth) provide greater mechanical advantage but reduce output speed proportionally.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This calculates the theoretical ratio. Actual performance may vary based on gear design, friction, and efficiency losses.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for sprockets and chains?
A: Yes, the same ratio calculation applies to sprockets in chain drive systems as it does for gear systems.