# FPV Drone Motor Direction and Props In vs Out Configuration
**Which way should your props spin? It sounds like a trivial question — but motor direction changes everything: how dirt hits your camera, how the quad handles in corners, and whether you get random yaw twitches. Props In vs Props Out is one of the most debated topics in FPV. This guide settles it with data.**
## Props In vs Props Out: The Visual Difference
**Props In (default/traditional):** Front props spin inward toward the camera. Rear props spin inward toward the center. Looking from above: front-left CW, front-right CCW, rear-left CCW, rear-right CW.
**Props Out (reversed):** Front props spin outward away from the camera. Rear props spin outward. Looking from above: front-left CCW, front-right CW, rear-left CW, rear-right CCW.
## Comparison Table: Props In vs Props Out
| Factor | Props In | Props Out | Winner |
|——–|———-|———–|——–|
| Dirt/debris on camera lens | Prop wash throws dirt onto camera | Prop wash throws dirt away from camera | Props Out |
| Yaw authority | Slightly less at high speed | Slightly more at high speed (cleaner air) | Props Out (marginal) |
| Prop wash in dives | Slightly less on center body | Slightly more on center body | Props In (marginal) |
| “Squirrelly” yaw on punch | Occasionally present | Less common (cleaner prop airflow) | Props Out |
| Grass/debris on stack | More debris thrown into frame | Less debris thrown into frame | Props Out |
| Motor/prop compatibility | Standard threading (CW threads tighten with CW rotation) | Non-standard — CCW rotation can loosen CW-threaded prop nuts | Props In (safety) |
| Betaflight default config | Default — works out of the box | Requires manual reconfiguration | Props In |
| FPV community uptake | Standard for racing | Popular for freestyle/cinematic | Depends on use case |
## How to Configure Props Out (Reverse Motor Direction)
### Method 1: Betaflight Motors Tab (Recommended)
1. Open Betaflight Configurator → **Motors** tab
2. Check “I understand the risks” — **REMOVE PROPS FIRST**
3. Click **Motor Direction** button (top right of motor sliders)
4. Select **Reversed** from the dropdown
5. Click **Apply**
6. Go to CLI, type `save`, press Enter
7. Physically swap props: front-left gets CCW (R) prop, front-right gets CW (not marked), rear-left gets CW (not marked), rear-right gets CCW (R)
### Method 2: BLHeliSuite / ESC Configurator (For BLHeli_S / BLHeli32 ESCs)
1. Connect to ESCs via BLHeliSuite32 or ESC Configurator
2. For motors 1 and 4: set direction to **Reversed**
3. For motors 2 and 3: set direction to **Normal** (or vice versa, depending on your current setup)
4. Write settings to all ESCs
5. Physically swap props as described above
### Method 3: Wire Swap (Old School, Works With Any ESC)
Swap any two of the three motor wires for motors that need direction change. This mechanically reverses the motor’s spin direction.
## Motor Numbering and Direction Reference
| Motor # | Position | Props In Dir | Props Out Dir |
|———|———-|————-|—————|
| 1 | Rear Right | CW | CCW |
| 2 | Front Right | CCW | CW |
| 3 | Rear Left | CCW | CW |
| 4 | Front Left | CW | CCW |
## The Prop Nut Problem (Critical Safety Issue)
Standard motor shafts use CW threads on CW motors and CCW threads on CCW motors. When running Props In, the prop nut tightens as the motor spins — a safety feature. With Props Out, the motor spins against the thread direction, which can loosen the nut.
**Solution:** Use **nylock locknuts** (nylon insert) on all motors. Check prop nut tightness during every pre-flight inspection. For added security, apply a tiny dot of blue Loctite to the motor shaft threads (never on the prop itself — Loctite dissolves polycarbonate props).
## When to Use Each Configuration
| Flying Style | Recommended Configuration | Reason |
|————-|————————–|——–|
| Cinematic / HD filming | Props Out | Keeps lens clean, smoother footage |
| Freestyle (dry conditions) | Props Out | Better yaw feel, cleaner quad |
| Freestyle (wet/muddy) | Props Out | Throws water/mud away from stack |
| Racing (competitive) | Props In | Marginal aerodynamic advantage, standard config |
| Racing (practice) | Either | Minimal difference at race pace |
| Long range | Props Out | Clean camera = better navigation |
| Whoops / micros | Props In | Default config, minimal debris issue |
## How to Verify Motor Direction
After configuring, ALWAYS verify with these two checks:
### Visual Check (Props Off)
In Betaflight Motors tab, spin each motor individually at low RPM (1010). Confirm each motor spins the correct direction:
– **Props In:** Motor 4 (front-left) spins CW, Motor 2 (front-right) spins CCW
– **Props Out:** Motor 4 (front-left) spins CCW, Motor 2 (front-right) spins CW
### Prop Orientation Check (Props On, Disarmed)
Place correct prop on each motor. For standard (CCW) props, the leading edge (higher side) should face the direction of rotation:
– **Props In:** Front-left = CW prop, Front-right = CCW prop
– **Props Out:** Front-left = CCW prop, Front-right = CW prop
For motors and props in all configurations, [uavmodel.com](https://uavmodel.com) stocks CW and CCW prop sets with matching nylock locknuts to keep your build secure regardless of rotation direction.
## Watch: Props In vs Props Out — Full Explanation
## FAQ: Motor Direction Questions