StatGardenREF. DESK
Calculators/Biology/Vapor pressure deficit (VPD)
Biology

Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) calculator

Gap between saturation and actual vapor pressure, the driving force for plant transpiration.

What this calculator does

Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) works out gap between saturation and actual vapor pressure, the driving force for plant transpiration. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.

The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.

The formula

FormulaSVP(T) = 0.61078·e^(17.27T/(T+237.3)) kPa (Tetens, 1930); VPD = SVP(leaf) − SVP(air)·RH/100

The inputs explained

FieldWhat to enter
Leaf temperature (°C)A number, measured in °C. Starts at 24.
Air temperature (°C)A number, measured in °C. Starts at 22.
Relative humidity (%)A number, measured in %. Starts at 60.

Worked examples

Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.

How the answer changes with leaf temperature

Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while leaf temperature varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.

How the answer changes with leaf temperature
Leaf temperature (°C)Vapor pressure deficitSaturation VP at leaf temperatureSaturation VP at air temperature
12-0.184 kPa1.403 kPa2.644 kPa
180.478 kPa2.064 kPa2.644 kPa
241.398 kPa2.984 kPa2.644 kPa
364.354 kPa5.941 kPa2.644 kPa
489.576 kPa11.162 kPa2.644 kPa
7232.441 kPa34.027 kPa2.644 kPa