Coffee Water Requirement Calculator
Work out the seasonal and per-irrigation water requirement of coffee (FAO-56 ETc = ET₀ × Kc, peak Kc 0.95) for your field, climate, soil and irrigation method.
After the post-monsoon dry rest, a 'blossom shower' irrigation triggers synchronised flowering, followed by a 'backing shower' to set berries — the two most important irrigations of the coffee year. Otherwise rain-fed under shade.
Indicative planning figures based on published research averages. Local soil tests, varieties and weather change actual requirements — confirm with your agronomist or extension officer.
Disclaimer: This tool is for general informational and estimation purposes only and is not professional financial, tax, accounting or legal advice. All figures are estimates — verify with a qualified professional before making decisions. Read the full disclaimer.
Farmers and irrigation planners use the free Coffee Water Requirement Calculator to turn the FAO-56 crop coefficients for coffee into a real seasonal water volume and an irrigation interval for their own field — no agronomy tables, works offline.
About Coffee Water Requirement Calculator
Coffee needs 1500–2000 mm, and the timed 'blossom' and 'backing' sprinkler irrigations after the dry spell are what set the crop. This calculator uses the FAO-56 method — crop evapotranspiration ETc = ET₀ × Kc — with coffee's own crop coefficients (Kc 0.9 initial, 0.95 mid-season, 0.95 late) across a 365-day season. Pick your climate band (which sets reference ET₀), irrigation method (drip, sprinkler, pivot or surface — each with its own efficiency) and soil texture, and it returns the seasonal water need in cubic metres, the peak daily demand, the net depth per irrigation and how many days to wait between irrigations.
How to use Coffee Water Requirement Calculator
- 1Enter your field area and choose the climate band matching your season.
- 2Select your irrigation method and soil texture.
- 3Read the seasonal water volume, peak daily demand and irrigation interval, then follow the scheduling note.
Why use Coffee Water Requirement Calculator?
- ✓Uses coffee's real FAO-56 Kc curve, not a flat factor
- ✓Accounts for drip / sprinkler / pivot / surface efficiency
- ✓Gives seasonal volume, peak daily need and an irrigation interval
- ✓Free, instant and fully in-browser — works offline in the field
Frequently asked questions
How much water does coffee need?+
Coffee needs 1500–2000 mm, and the timed 'blossom' and 'backing' sprinkler irrigations after the dry spell are what set the crop. The exact figure depends on climate and season length; this tool sums ET₀ × Kc across the crop's 365-day growth stages for your conditions.
What are blossom and backing irrigations in coffee?+
After the dry season rests the plant, a heavy 'blossom shower' irrigation (or first rain) triggers synchronised flowering; a 'backing shower' a week or two later sets the berries. These timed irrigations are the key intervention in coffee.
How much water does coffee need?+
About 1500–2000 mm a year, mostly from the monsoon under shade. The critical irrigation is the blossom/backing showers in the dry season; otherwise coffee is largely rain-fed in Indian conditions.
What is ET₀ and Kc?+
ET₀ (reference evapotranspiration) is how fast a standard grass surface loses water in your climate. Kc (crop coefficient) scales it to a specific crop and growth stage. Crop water use ETc = ET₀ × Kc — the basis of FAO-56 irrigation scheduling.
Is this calculator free and private?+
Yes — free, no sign-up, and all calculation runs in your browser, so it works offline in the field and your data never leaves the device.
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