Ratings belong to a model
Stage count, motor, voltage, duty, and operating speed affect performance. A diameter by itself is not a torque rating.
10 mm DC planetary gear motor
10 mm DC Planetary Gear Motor Ratio Guide
Check model-specific torque, speed, and package limits before choosing a 10 mm DC planetary gear motor.
Request a model-specific reviewRatio Estimator
Enter your operating point
Add output torque, target speed, and the selected motor’s no-load speed to get a preliminary ratio estimate. Results will appear here.
Ratio is only a first step
The estimator uses motor no-load speed. Loaded speed and output torque must be checked against the combined drive data.
Check the full envelope
“10 mm” normally describes gearhead diameter. Confirm the assembled length, shaft loads, connector, and mounting space.
What published 10 mm gearhead data shows
These are two named supplier examples at a five-stage, 1024:1 reduction. They illustrate why selection must use a particular model and its operating curve; they are not specifications for every 10 mm gear motor.
Maxon lists 150 mNm maximum continuous and 200 mNm maximum intermittent torque for the five-stage GPX 10. Portescap lists 100 mNm rated torque and 150 mNm maximum static torque for the R10; rated and static limits are not interchangeable.
Five-stage efficiency is listed as 59% for GPX 10 and 60% for R10. More stages can reduce efficiency, so output power and temperature limits still matter at the requested speed.
Axial and radial ratings depend on the supplier’s test definition and load position. For example, the values in the table use different radial load distances from the mounting face and should not be compared as an equal-condition test.
Example specifications: 10 mm class, five stages
Page content and supplier data reviewed on 6 October 2026. Maxon’s catalog is the March 2025 edition and marked provisional; Portescap’s R10 specification is version V01 2024 and states that specifications may change. Always confirm current data for the selected part.
| Specification | maxon GPX 10 | Portescap R10 |
|---|---|---|
| Five-stage reduction ratio | 1024:1 | 1024:1 |
| Continuous torque rating | 150 mNm maximum continuous torque | 100 mNm rated torque |
| Intermittent or static torque | 200 mNm maximum intermittent torque | 150 mNm maximum static torque |
| Five-stage efficiency | 59% maximum efficiency | 60% |
| Average backlash at no load | 2.5° | 1° |
| Input speed | 12,000 RPM continuous; 15,000 RPM intermittent maximum | 10,000 RPM maximum recommended |
| Radial load limit | 25 N at 5 mm from flange | 2 N at 8 mm from mounting face |
| Gearhead length at 1024:1 | 23 mm | 23 mm |
Five-stage reduction ratio
- maxon GPX 10
- 1024:1
- Portescap R10
- 1024:1
Continuous torque rating
- maxon GPX 10
- 150 mNm maximum continuous torque
- Portescap R10
- 100 mNm rated torque
Intermittent or static torque
- maxon GPX 10
- 200 mNm maximum intermittent torque
- Portescap R10
- 150 mNm maximum static torque
Five-stage efficiency
- maxon GPX 10
- 59% maximum efficiency
- Portescap R10
- 60%
Average backlash at no load
- maxon GPX 10
- 2.5°
- Portescap R10
- 1°
Input speed
- maxon GPX 10
- 12,000 RPM continuous; 15,000 RPM intermittent maximum
- Portescap R10
- 10,000 RPM maximum recommended
Radial load limit
- maxon GPX 10
- 25 N at 5 mm from flange
- Portescap R10
- 2 N at 8 mm from mounting face
Gearhead length at 1024:1
- maxon GPX 10
- 23 mm
- Portescap R10
- 23 mm
Torque rows contain different supplier rating types. Efficiency, load, and speed values also depend on configuration and test conditions; do not combine them into one assumed performance point.
Need a review against your actual speed, load, and duty cycle?
Request engineering reviewWhen to keep the 10 mm envelope—and when to compare larger sizes
A 10 mm gearhead can be a candidate when radial space is tight and the exact assembly meets the torque-speed and life requirements. If the design has room for 12 mm or 16 mm, compare complete configurations before freezing the envelope; a larger diameter alone does not guarantee more usable torque or longer life.
| Decision dimension | 10 mm | 12 mm | 16 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal gearhead outside diameter | 10 mm class | 12 mm class | 16 mm class |
| Continuous torque and speed | Confirm exact motor and gearhead curve | Confirm exact motor and gearhead curve | Confirm exact motor and gearhead curve |
| Radial and axial shaft loads | Confirm bearing and load position | Confirm bearing and load position | Confirm bearing and load position |
| Total installed length | Motor + gearhead + shaft | Motor + gearhead + shaft | Motor + gearhead + shaft |
| Price and lead time | Quote for selected configuration | Quote for selected configuration | Quote for selected configuration |
Nominal gearhead outside diameter
- 10 mm
- 10 mm class
- 12 mm
- 12 mm class
- 16 mm
- 16 mm class
Continuous torque and speed
- 10 mm
- Confirm exact motor and gearhead curve
- 12 mm
- Confirm exact motor and gearhead curve
- 16 mm
- Confirm exact motor and gearhead curve
Radial and axial shaft loads
- 10 mm
- Confirm bearing and load position
- 12 mm
- Confirm bearing and load position
- 16 mm
- Confirm bearing and load position
Total installed length
- 10 mm
- Motor + gearhead + shaft
- 12 mm
- Motor + gearhead + shaft
- 16 mm
- Motor + gearhead + shaft
Price and lead time
- 10 mm
- Quote for selected configuration
- 12 mm
- Quote for selected configuration
- 16 mm
- Quote for selected configuration
Unknown values are left for the chosen configuration and supplier quote; no generic torque, cost, or lead-time figure is assumed.
Selection checklist before design release
Torque at speed
Check the continuous or intermittent operating curve at the target output speed, not a standalone maximum torque number.
Duty and temperature
Provide cycle timing, ambient temperature, mounting conditions, and any start, stall, or reversal loads.
Shaft and bearings
Check radial and axial loads at their actual distance from the flange, plus press-fit force and bearing type.
Precision and package
Confirm backlash, output-shaft geometry, motor body, total length, connector clearance, and mounting interfaces.
Related motor selection resources
- How to choose a micro planetary gear motor
- Calculate gear ratio and output torque
- Learn the gear ratio and torque calculation method
- Understand and measure planetary gearbox backlash
- Size 12V DC high-torque planetary gear motors (16mm–42mm)
- Source 12V DC planetary gear motors from China (10mm–42mm OEM sizer)
Frequently asked questions
What torque can a 10 mm planetary gearhead handle?
There is no single rating for every 10 mm gearhead. Published examples differ: the five-stage maxon GPX 10 lists up to 150 mNm maximum continuous torque and 200 mNm maximum intermittent torque; Portescap lists 100 mNm rated torque and 150 mNm maximum static torque for its R10. These are different product ratings, not a specification for this page’s supplier offering. Check the exact model’s operating curve.
Does the ratio estimator confirm that my motor will work?
No. It divides the selected motor’s no-load speed by the target output speed to give a starting reduction ratio. It does not verify loaded speed, torque capacity, temperature, lifetime, backlash, or shaft loads. Confirm those against the exact motor and gearhead data.
What should I send for a useful engineering review?
Share required output torque and speed, motor voltage and speed data, continuous or intermittent duty and cycle timing, available diameter and total length, shaft and mounting details, radial and axial loads, expected life, and quantity.
Does 10 mm describe the complete motor assembly?
Usually it describes the nominal outer diameter of the gearhead. The motor body, output shaft, connector, mounting features, and total assembled length need to be checked on the selected assembly drawing.
Need a model-specific recommendation?
Share your target torque, speed, voltage, duty cycle, envelope, shaft loads, and quantity. Engineering can review the required operating point and identify which datasheet or drawing is needed.