On average, a chainsaw runs at around 9,000 to 14,000 RPMs. A higher RPM chainsaw can handle more demanding tasks, but it also consumes more fuel. On the other hand, lower RPM models are more suitable for lighter work and precision cuts.
I’m Samuel Anali and I have over two decades of chainsawing experience. In this article, I’m going to share every piece of information you need to know about chainsaw RPM.
So, stick with me till the end!
Don’t SKIP!
To understand the rest of this article, you’ll need to know what RPM means! (It’s not the chain speed, btw)
I’ll keep it simple. Promise!
See, chainsaws come with a 2-stroke engine which has two main components: the piston & the crankshaft.
For every revolution of the crankshaft, the piston inside the cylinder goes through one upstroke (moving upward) and one downstroke (moving downward). These two strokes together make up one complete cycle (or one revolution) of the engine.
And the number of revolutions the crankshaft does per minute is called revolutions per minute or RPM.
For example, if a chainsaw engine has an RPM of 9,000, it means, the crankshaft does 9,000 revolutions per minute and for each revolution, the piston goes through one upward & one downward motion.
Easy peasy, right?
Average Chainsaw RPM
The average chainsaw RPM is between 9,000 to 14,000. Pretty much all the gas-powered chainsaws you’ll come across fit within this range. (It’s like the sweet spot, you know!)
You don’t have to trust my words! I have real examples to show you.
Here’s a list of some popular chainsaws and their respective RPMs: 👇
| Model | Max. RPM | Idle Speed (RPM) | Engine size | Power Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna T540 XP | 10,200 | 3,000 | 37.7 cc | 2.4 hp |
| Husqvarna 365 | 10,200 | 2,800 | 70.7 cc | 4.9 hp |
| Echo CS 400 | 12,000 | 2,700 | 40.2 cc | 5.3 hp |
| Echo CS 590 | 12,500 | 2,800 | 59.8 cc | 3.8 hp |
| Stihl MS 291 | 13,000 | 2,800 | 55.5 cc | 3.8 hp |
| Stihl MS 391 | 13,000 | 2,800 | 64.1 cc | 4.4 hp |
| Stihl MS 461 | 13,500 | 2,500 | 76.5 cc | 6.0 hp |
| Husqvarna 460 | 13,600 | 2,700 | 60.3 cc | 3.6 hp |
| Husqvarna 562XP | 14,000 | 2,800 | 59.8 cc | 4.2 hp |
| Stihl MS 261 | 14,000 | 2,800 | 50.2 cc | 4.0 hp |
| Echo CS 680 | 14,000 | 2,700 | 66.8 cc | 4.6 hp |
| Husqvarna 450 | 9,000 | 2,700 | 50.2 cc | 2.8 hp |
| Husqvarna 576XP | 9,600 | 2,700 | 73.5 cc | 4.2 hp |
Check out my ultimate chainsaw RPM chart here!
And as you can see, all these popular models fit within that 9,000 to 14,000 RPM range.
What’s the RPM of your chainsaw?
Let me know in the comments! 👇
How Many RPMs Does a Electric Chainsaw Run?
Electric chainsaws don’t come with an engine, but you might’ve noticed that they also sometimes mention an “RPM” in their specs.
The RPM on electric chainsaws refers to how fast the chain spins around the bar. Or, in other words, it’s the number of rotations the chain can do in one minute.
On average, electric chainsaws fall within the range of 2,000 to 3,000 RPM. But there are also a few models that could go up to 4,000 RPM. Those are mainly designed for more demanding jobs.
Here are some popular electric chainsaw models and their corresponding RPMs: 👇
| Model | Max. RPM |
|---|---|
| Oregon CS1500 | 2,800 |
| STIHL MSE 170 C-BQ | 2,800 to 3,300 |
| Makita UC4051A | 2,900 to 3,300 |
| Greenworks 16-Inch 40V Cordless | 2,900 |
| DeWalt DCCS670 | 3,000 |
How to Find the RPM of a Chainsaw?
Don’t have any idea of your chainsaw’s RPM?
No problem!
Here are 2 methods that will help you figure it out:
Method 1: Check the User Manual
Probably the easiest one!
Open up your chainsaw’s user manual &head to the “Specifications” or “Technical Data” section.
There you’ll find a list of all the technical details regarding your saw, including its maximum RPM.
Here’s an example: 👇
Method 2: Measure the RPM Yourself
If you don’t have a user manual, or you’ve lost it, then fear not! You can measure the RPM yourself!
All you’ll need is a tachometer (a device that measures the rotational speed of an engine typically in revolutions per minute or RPM.
These are cheap & you can easily get one from Amazon!)
Now let’s get to measuring!
Step 1: First of all, put on your safety gloves and goggles. (Safety is IMPORTANT!)
Step 2: Fire up your chainsaw and let it “warm up” for at least a minute.
Step 3: While the engine running, turn the tachometer on and hold it close to the spark plug. Point the sensor end towards the spark plug.
And if you’ve got a wired tachometer, gently connect the wire or clamp to the spark plug wire. (Make sure the connection is secure or else the tachometer might get disconnected when the engine roars to life!)
Step 4: Now rev up the engine to the MAX and wait until you get a steady RPM reading.
Step 5: Write down the number displayed on the tachometer and that’s your chainsaw’s maximum RPM.
Stihl Chainsaw RPM Chart
| MODEL | ENGINE SIZE | POWER OUTPUT | MAXIMUM RPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS 170 | 30.1 cc | 1.3 kW | 8,500 |
| MS 171 | 30.8 cc | 1.3 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 180 | 30.8 cc | 1.5 kW | 9,000 |
| MS 180 C-BE | 30.8 cc | 1.5 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 151 C-E | 23.6 cc | 1.05 kW | 12,800 |
| MS 194 C-E | 31.8 cc | 1.4 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 201 C-EM | 35.2 cc | 1.8 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 211 | 35.2 cc | 1.7 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 211 C-BE | 35.2 cc | 1.7 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 250 | 45.4 cc | 2.2 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 251 C-BE | 45.6 cc | 2.2 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 261 | 50.2 cc | 3.0 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 261 C-M | 50.2 cc | 3.0 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 271 | 50.2 cc | 2.6 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 291 | 55.5 cc | 2.8 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 311 | 59.0 cc | 3.1 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 341 | 59.0 cc | 3.1 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 360 | 61.5 cc | 3.4 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 361 | 59.0 cc | 3.4 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 362 | 59.0 cc | 3.5 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 362 C-M | 59.0 cc | 3.5 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 391 | 64.1 cc | 3.3 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 400 C-M | 66.8 cc | 4.0 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 151 T C-E | 23.6 cc | 1.05 kW | 12,800 |
| MS 194 T | 31.8 cc | 1.6 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 201 T C-M | 35.2 cc | 1.8 kW | 14,000 |
| MS 461 | 76.5 cc | 4.5 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 461 R | 76.5 cc | 4.5 kW | 13,000 |
| MS 462 C-M | 72.2 cc | 4.5 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 462 R C-M | 72.2 cc | 4.4 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 500i | 79.2 cc | 5.0 kW | 13,700 |
| MS 500i R | 79.2 cc | 5.0 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 661 | 91.1 cc | 5.4 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 661 C-M | 91.1 cc | 5.4 kW | 13,500 |
| MS 880 | 121.66 cc | 6.4 kW | 11,000 |
| MS 881 | 121.66 cc | 6.4 kW | 11,500 |
Husqvarna Chainsaw RPM Chart
| MODEL | ENGINE SIZE | POWER OUTPUT | MAXIMUM RPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 38.1 cc | 1.88 hp | 9,000 |
| 130 | 38.1 cc | 2.0 hp | 9,000 |
| 135 | 38.1 cc | 2.1 hp | 9,000 |
| 435 | 40.9 cc | 2.2 hp | 9,000 |
| 440 | 39.3 cc | 2.4 hp | 9,000 |
| 445 | 50.1 cc | 2.8 hp | 9,000 |
| 450 | 50.1 cc | 3.2 hp | 9,000 |
| 455 | 55.7 cc | 3.5 hp | 9,000 |
| 460 | 60.3 cc | 3.6 hp | 9,000 |
| 465 | 64.1 cc | 4.29 hp | 9,600 |
| 365 | 70.6 cc | 4.9 hp | 10,200 |
| 439 | 35.2 cc | 2.01 hp | 10,000 |
| 545 | 50.1 cc | 3.6 hp | 9,900 |
| 555 | 59.8 cc | 4.16 hp | 9,600 |
| 540 XP | 39.1 cc | 2.6 hp | 10,200 |
| 543 XP | 43.0 cc | 2.9 hp | 9,600 |
| 550 XP | 50.1 cc | 4.0 hp | 10, 200 |
| 562 XP | 59.8 cc | 4.7 hp | 9,600 |
| 372 XP | 70.6 cc | 5.5 hp | 10,200 |
| 572 XP | 70.4 cc | 5.8 hp | 9,900 |
| 576 XP | 73.4 cc | 5.6 hp | 9,500 |
| 592 XP | 92.7 cc | 7.6 hp | 9,600 |
| 390 XP | 88.0 cc | 6.5 hp | 9,600 |
| 395 XP | 94.0 cc | 6.6 hp | 9,600 |
| 3120 XP | 118.8 cc | 8.3 hp | 9,000 |
| T435 | 35.2 cc | 2.01 hp | 10,000 |
| T540 XP | 39.1 cc | 2.6 hp | 10,200 |
| T525 | 27.0 cc | 1.48 hp | 13,500 |
Does Chainsaw RPM Matter?
Yes, chainsaw RPM does matter!
When we talk about chainsaw RPM, we’re essentially talking about how fast the engine’s crankshaft is spinning. The faster it spins, the higher the RPM.
And the higher the RPM, the more fuel the engine consumes.
Long story short, the RPM affects your chainsaw performance by impacting fuel consumption when running.
On top of that, a higher RPM means more power and better performance. It gives the engine more strength to cut through dense hardwood.
Highest RPM Chainsaws
While almost all the chainsaws out there are within the 9,000 to 14,000 RPM range, there are some exceptions that can go beyond, like –
- Husqvarna 242-XP – 15,500 RPM
- Husqvarna 346-XP – 14,800 RPM
- Stihl MS 400 C-M – 14,200 RPM
Does Chainsaw Engine Size Affect the Maximum RPM?
No, the engine size of a chainsaw doesn’t really affect the RPM.
The size of the engine does determine how much power it can produce & how fast the chain spins, but it doesn’t directly affect the maximum RPM.
A small chainsaw with a 25cc engine can have the same maximum RPM as one with a 50cc engine.
For a better understanding, check out this line chart:
It clearly shows that the RPM isn’t proportional to the engine size.
