Rate of Fire Calculator

Rate of Fire (ROF) Calculator

Calculation Results

Rounds Per Minute (RPM):

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Rounds Per Second (RPS):

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Cycle Time (ms per shot):

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Time to Empty Mag (sec):

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function calculateROF() { var rounds = parseFloat(document.getElementById('roundsFired').value); var seconds = parseFloat(document.getElementById('timeElapsed').value); var magCap = parseFloat(document.getElementById('magCapacity').value); if (isNaN(rounds) || isNaN(seconds) || seconds <= 0 || rounds 0) { var timeToEmpty = magCap / rps; magRes.innerText = timeToEmpty.toFixed(2) + " seconds"; magLabel.style.display = "block"; magRes.style.display = "block"; } else { magLabel.style.display = "none"; magRes.style.display = "none"; } document.getElementById('rof-results').style.display = 'block'; }

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Understanding Rate of Fire (ROF)

The Rate of Fire is a critical metric in ballistics, competitive gaming, and engineering. It measures the number of projectiles a mechanical system can discharge within a specific timeframe, typically expressed in Rounds Per Minute (RPM) or Rounds Per Second (RPS).

How Rate of Fire is Calculated

Calculating the speed of a firing cycle involves three primary variables: the number of rounds discharged, the time elapsed during the burst, and the physical cycle time of the action. The basic formulas are:

• RPS: Total Rounds / Total Seconds
• RPM: RPS × 60
• Cycle Time: 1 / RPS (Resulting in seconds per shot)

Why ROF Matters

Whether you are a hobbyist calibrating an Airsoft AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) or a ballistics expert analyzing mechanical efficiency, the Rate of Fire determines several operational factors:

1. Suppression Capability: Higher RPM allows for better area denial but increases ammunition consumption.
2. Mechanical Stress: Higher firing rates generate more heat and friction, potentially leading to component failure if the cycle time is too aggressive.
3. Recoil Management: A faster ROF often results in more cumulative recoil, making a platform harder to control without specialized training or stabilizers.

Real-World ROF Examples

To put these numbers into perspective, consider these common benchmarks:

System Type	Average RPM	Notes
Standard Service Rifle	700 – 900 RPM	Balanced for control and reliability.
Submachine Guns	900 – 1,200 RPM	Designed for close-quarters high-volume fire.
Rotary Cannons	3,000 – 6,000 RPM	Utilizes multiple barrels to dissipate heat.

Tips for Using the Calculator

For the most accurate results, use a high-speed camera or an audio recording to measure the exact time between the first shot and the last shot of a burst. By inputting the exact seconds (e.g., 1.45s) and the number of rounds in that burst (e.g., 20), our calculator will provide the precise cycling performance of your device.