Prop Pitch Basics: How to Read 5x4.3x3

Every FPV prop is described by three numbers:

diameter (in) × pitch (in) × blade count

A 5x4.3x3 is a 5-inch, 4.3-pitch, 3-blade prop. Sometimes you'll see the compact form 5043 or 51466 (5.1", 4.66 pitch) — first digits are diameter, last digits are pitch in tenths of an inch.

What pitch actually is

Pitch is the theoretical distance the prop screws itself forward in one revolution. A 4.3" pitch prop at 25,000 RPM "wants" to travel 25,000 x 4.3 in/min, roughly 100 mph. Real speed is lower (props slip in air), but the relationship holds: more pitch = more speed per RPM, bought with more current.

Try it with real motor numbers: the KV to RPM calculator converts any motor KV and battery into prop tip speed for a given size.

The trade-offs, honestly

More pitch (5x5 vs 5x4.3)	Less pitch
Higher top speed	Quicker throttle response
More "grip" in high-speed turns	More low-end control, easier hover
Higher current draw, hotter motors	Cooler, longer flights
Feels "slippery" at low speed	Runs out of speed sooner

More blades work in the same direction as more pitch, in smaller steps: a 3-blade grips and pulls harder than a 2-blade of the same size but costs efficiency. Long-range builds run 2-blade props for exactly that reason — maximum grams of thrust per watt. You can see the effect directly in the manufacturer bench tables on our motor pages: compare the efficiency column (g/W) of the same motor spinning different props.

Matching pitch to flying style

Cinematic / cruising — low pitch, often 2-blade. Smooth, efficient, quiet.
Freestyle — mid pitch 3-blade (4.3-4.9). The default for a reason: predictable everywhere in the throttle range.
Racing — high pitch (4.9-5.5+). Top-end speed and cornering bite; expect heat.
Whoops / micros — tiny multi-blade props where the mount type (press-fit vs T-mount) matters more than small pitch differences.

Don't forget the motor

Pitch multiplies load. A high-pitch 5" prop on a low-torque motor sags RPM under throttle and flies worse than a lighter prop would. Motor pages here list the props the manufacturer actually bench-tested — that's the combination the motor was designed around. Browse by size class in the props hub and check your motor's page for its tested pairings.