Carrying Capacity Calculator

Your details

Pick the quantity you want to find. Each mode reveals only the relevant inputs.
Maximum per-capita growth rate when resources are unlimited. e.g. 0.5 = 50 % per time unit at very low density.
per time unit
The number of individuals present right now.
individuals
The maximum sustainable population the environment can support.
individuals
Label for the time axis and output text. Does not convert values.
Growth rate (dN/dt)Population growing
80individuals/time
Per-capita rate (dN/dt / N)0.4per time unit
N as % of K20%
Max possible growth rate (rK/4)125individuals/time
20% % of K
Sparse (0-25%)<25Below inflection (25-50%)25-50Above inflection (50-75%)50-75Near ceiling (75-100%)75-100Overshoot (>100%)100+

At N = 200 (20% of K), the population is still growing at 80 individuals per time unit.

  • Growth is fastest at N = K/2, where the rate equals rK/4.
  • The (1 - N/K) brake approaches zero as N nears K, causing growth to stall.
  • Maximum possible growth rate here: 125 individuals/time at N = 500.

Next stepSet N = K/2 to see the inflection point of the S-shaped logistic curve.

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