Rates decide how fast your drone rotates when you move the sticks. They have more effect on how a drone feels than almost any other setting, and there’s no right answer, only what suits your flying.
The three numbers
Betaflight’s default Actual rates use three values per axis:
- Center sensitivity: rotation speed for small stick movements around center. Lower means smoother, more precise small corrections.
- Max rate: how fast the drone rotates at full stick, in degrees per second.
- Expo: how the curve bends between center and full stick. More expo keeps the center soft while still reaching max rate.
Other rate types (Betaflight, Raceflight, KISS, Quick) describe the same curve with different math. Pick one and stick with it.
Common starting points
| Style | Center | Max rate | Expo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematic | 120–150 | 450–550 | 0.3–0.5 |
| Freestyle | 150–200 | 670–850 | 0.4–0.6 |
| Racing | 200–300 | 700–900 | 0.2–0.4 |
| Whoop indoors | 150–200 | 600–800 | 0.3–0.5 |
These are starting ranges, not rules. Many pilots use lower yaw rates than roll and pitch.
How to find your rates
- Start with defaults or a common preset.
- Fly lines and gaps. If small corrections feel twitchy, lower center sensitivity or add expo.
- Do flips and rolls. If they feel slow, raise max rate. If you overshoot, lower it.
- Change one value at a time and give yourself a few packs to adapt.
- Use the same rates on every quad and in your simulator. Consistency builds muscle memory faster than “perfect” rates do.
Throttle curve and throttle mid
Rates don’t affect throttle. If your hover point sits awkwardly low on the stick, adjust throttle mid and throttle expo in Betaflight’s rates tab to give finer control around hover.
Rates vs PIDs
Rates set how fast you ask the drone to rotate. PIDs decide how well it follows that request. If the drone wobbles or bounces, that’s a tune problem, not a rates problem. See PID tuning.
Max rate and freestyle moves
Your max rate decides how fast flips and rolls are at full stick:
| Max rate | Time for a full flip at full stick |
|---|---|
| 450°/s | about 0.8 s |
| 670°/s | about 0.54 s |
| 850°/s | about 0.42 s |
| 1,000°/s | about 0.36 s |
Higher rates make tricks faster but leave less room for error. Many freestyle pilots settle in the 670–850°/s range.
Separate rate profiles
Betaflight supports multiple rate profiles. Useful setups:
- Profile 1: your everyday freestyle rates.
- Profile 2: lower rates for cinematic footage.
- Profile 3: higher rates for racing or practicing new tricks.
You can switch profiles from your radio with an adjustment switch or through the OSD menu.
Stick ergonomics
Rates aren’t the only thing that affects feel:
- Pinch or thumbs: how you hold the sticks changes precision.
- Gimbal tension: softer or firmer springs change feel.
- Stick length: longer sticks give finer control.
- Throttle tension: smooth, even throttle resistance helps hover control.
Small adjustments to your radio can matter as much as changing rates.
Rates for camera drones
If you fly mainly for footage, lower max rates and a soft center reduce sudden moves. Combine them with smooth throttle and a well-tuned quad for footage that needs less stabilization later.
Matching rates to camera angle
Camera uptilt and rates work together. With a high camera angle (35°+), you fly faster and more tilted forward, and many pilots use slightly higher rates. With low camera angles for cinematic or indoor flying, lower rates feel more natural. If you change your camera angle, expect to adjust your rates a little too.
Throttle feel in detail
- Throttle mid: the stick position where expo is centered. Setting it near your hover point gives finer control around hover.
- Throttle expo: flattens the curve around throttle mid for smoother altitude control.
- Throttle limit: caps maximum throttle, useful for beginners or indoor flying.
Make small changes and test them over a few packs.
Common rate mistakes
| Mistake | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Copying a pro’s rates exactly | Feels twitchy or slow for you | Start from defaults and adjust gradually |
| Changing rates every session | No muscle memory builds | Keep rates stable for weeks |
| Very high center sensitivity | Hard to fly smooth lines | Lower center or add expo |
| Too low max rate | Tricks feel sluggish | Raise max rate slowly |
Testing a new rate change
Fly the same three moves before and after: a smooth orbit, a fast flip and a gap. If two of the three feel better, keep the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are rates in FPV?
Rates control how fast the drone rotates for a given stick movement, from small corrections to full-stick flips.
What are good rates for a beginner?
Betaflight’s default Actual rates are a good start. Many beginners lower center sensitivity a bit for smoother control.
Should my simulator rates match my real drone?
Yes. Using the same rates everywhere builds consistent muscle memory.
What does expo do?
Expo softens the center of the stick while still allowing full rotation speed at full stick, giving finer control for small movements.