Fishing Reel Gear Ratio: Compare Inches per Turn Before You Buy
Gear ratio tells you rotations per handle turn; inches per turn (IPT) tells you the published length of line retrieved. On a spinning reel, the ratio describes the rotor turning around the spool. Compare the manufacturer’s line retrieve as well as the ratio when choosing how much line you want to pick up.
A higher ratio does not guarantee a longer pickup across different reel sizes. In Shimano’s US Stradic FM table, the 6.4:1 C3000XG lists 37 inches per crank, while the 6.2:1 4000XG lists 40 inches. Those exact models make the distinction visible.
Use line retrieve to compare pickup
Calculate an example retrieve
Estimate line pickup for a number of turns
Use published IPT or a value you actually measured. The calculator does not infer it from gear ratio.
The calculation is line pickup = IPT × handle turns. At an entered 37 IPT, ten complete turns give a nominal 370 inches, about 30.8 feet or 9.40 meters. Turning faster changes pickup per second, not the labeled inches per turn.
Published retrieve examples
| Exact model | Brand | Ratio | Inches/turn | cm/turn, converted | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST1000HGFM | Shimano | 6:1 | 30 | 76.2 | Manufacturer |
| ST2500HGFM | Shimano | 5.8:1 | 34 | 86.4 | Manufacturer |
| STC3000XGFM | Shimano | 6.4:1 | 37 | 94.0 | Manufacturer |
| ST4000XGFM | Shimano | 6.2:1 | 40 | 101.6 | Manufacturer |
| STC5000XGFM | Shimano | 6.2:1 | 40 | 101.6 | Manufacturer |
| C-2000A | Okuma | 5:1 | 24.8 | 63.0 | Manufacturer |
| C-2500A | Okuma | 5:1 | 26.8 | 68.1 | Manufacturer |
| C-4000A | Okuma | 5:1 | 31.1 | 79.0 | Manufacturer |
Swipe or scroll sideways to see all columns.
Download the retrieve specifications (CSV). The centimeter column is a conversion of the cited US inch value, not a separate regional specification.
Why ratio alone leaves a gap
Line winds around a changing effective circumference as the spool fills or empties. The same rotor rotation can therefore gather a different length of line. Manufacturer IPT is more useful than ratio alone for a comparison, but it is still a published reference rather than a guarantee at every fill level.
If you are comparing two listings, keep their exact size and speed codes, find IPT for both, then consider how you intend to retrieve. Do not use either ratio or IPT as a measured torque rating. For capacity and size differences, use the spinning reel chart.
Keep the calculation within its job
The output is nominal line pickup for complete handle turns. It does not measure lure speed through current, the length of line you cast, stretch under load, or line released by the drag. Leave the model selector on custom if your exact SKU is not listed; do not substitute a near-matching size.