What is Throttle MID in Betaflight?

Throttle MID is the stick position (as a fraction from 0.0 to 1.0) where your quad hovers. Setting it correctly shifts the throttle curve so maximum resolution is centered around your hover point. For a typical 5-inch 6S freestyle quad, Throttle MID is usually 0.25 (25% stick position).

How do Throttle EXPO and Throttle MID work together?

Throttle MID shifts the flat portion of the curve to your hover point. Throttle EXPO controls how flat that portion is — higher EXPO means softer throttle response near hover with more aggressive response at the extremes. In Betaflight, throttle EXPO only applies below the MID point, flattening the curve for precise altitude control.

Should I set throttle curves in Betaflight or on my radio?

Either method works, but do not use both simultaneously or you will create unpredictable throttle behavior. Betaflight throttle MID/EXPO is simpler and travels with your CLI dump. Radio-side curves (EdgeTX/OpenTX) allow per-model adjustments without reconnecting to Betaflight Configurator. Pick one approach and stick with it.

What is a good starting Throttle EXPO value?

0.50 is the recommended starting point for general freestyle and cinematic flying. It provides a noticeable smoothing of throttle response near hover without feeling sluggish. Racers often prefer 0.00-0.30 for linear response, while cinematic pilots may go up to 0.65-0.80 for silky-smooth altitude control.

FPV Drone Throttle MID and Expo Setup: Throttle Curve Tuning for Smooth Hover and Precise Control

# FPV Drone Throttle MID and Expo Setup: Throttle Curve Tuning for Smooth Hover and Precise Control

Throttle control separates good pilots from great ones. But even the best thumbs struggle with a poorly configured throttle curve. Setting your **Throttle MID**, **Throttle EXPO**, and the overall curve correctly transforms a twitchy, hard-to-hover quad into a precision instrument. This guide covers everything you need to know about throttle curve tuning in Betaflight and EdgeTX/OpenTX.

## Why Throttle Curve Tuning Matters

The relationship between stick position and motor output is not linear by default. At 50% throttle stick, most quads are not at 50% thrust — they are often already generating 70-80% of the thrust needed to hover. This nonlinearity means:

– **Too sensitive at hover:** Tiny stick movements cause big altitude changes
– **Dead zone at the top:** The last 20% of stick travel does very little
– **Hard to fly smooth:** Cinematic footage requires steady altitude control
– **Landings feel abrupt:** The quad drops suddenly below hover point

A properly tuned throttle curve gives you precise control at hover, smooth transitions, and predictable response across the full stick range.

## Throttle MID: The Hover Point

**Throttle MID** is the stick position (as a percentage) where the quad hovers. Betaflight uses this to adjust the throttle curve so that the most resolution is around your hover point.

### How to Find Your Throttle MID

1. **Hover test:** In Acro or Angle mode, hover at a comfortable eye-level altitude
2. **Note stick position:** While hovering, glance at your stick position — is it at 30%? 50%?
3. **Check in OSD:** If you have **Throttle Position** enabled in your Betaflight OSD, you can read the exact percentage
4. **Typical values:**
– Light 5-inch on 6S: Throttle MID = 20-25%
– Standard 5-inch freestyle on 6S: Throttle MID = 25-30%
– Heavy 5-inch / cinewhoop on 6S: Throttle MID = 30-40%
– 3-inch toothpick on 4S: Throttle MID = 30-35%

### Setting Throttle MID in Betaflight

“`
set throttle_mid = 0.25 (for 25% hover point)
set throttle_expo = 0.50 (start here, adjust by feel)
save
“`

| Throttle MID Value | Hover Stick Position | Effect on Curve |
|—|—|—|
| 0.15 | 15% | Very light build / high power-to-weight |
| 0.25 | 25% | Typical 5-inch 6S freestyle |
| 0.35 | 35% | Heavy builds, cinewhoops |
| 0.50 | 50% | Default (rarely correct for modern quads) |

## Throttle EXPO: Smoothing the Curve

While **Throttle MID** shifts the curve’s center of sensitivity, **Throttle EXPO** determines how much the curve flattens around that center. Higher EXPO gives softer response near hover and more aggressive response near the extremes.

### EXPO Effect at Different Values

**Important:** Throttle EXPO in Betaflight only affects the lower portion of the curve (below Throttle MID). Above MID, the curve becomes more linear. This is intentional — you want maximum resolution near hover and predictable response for punch-outs.

## Throttle Limit and Throttle Scale

### Throttle Limit

Throttle limit caps the maximum output to motors without changing the stick curve. Useful for:

– **Indoor flying:** Limit to 70-80% to reduce speed
– **Beginner training:** Cap power while learning
– **Motor/ESC protection:** Prevent over-current on aggressive props

“`
set throttle_limit_type = SCALE
set throttle_limit_percent = 75
save
“`

### Throttle Scale (EdgeTX/OpenTX)

If you prefer to tune throttle curves on the radio side (in EdgeTX/OpenTX), you can leave Betaflight at defaults and use the radio’s mixing:

1. Go to **Model → Mixer → Thr**
2. Change the curve from linear to a 5- or 9-point custom curve
3. Flatten the curve around your hover point, steepen at extremes
4. Set endpoints to match Betaflight’s 1000-2000μs range

**Radio vs Betaflight curve:** Tuning on the radio gives you per-model curves that follow the quad. Tuning in Betaflight is simpler and lives in your CLI dump. Both work — choose one, don’t mix them or you will chase your tail.

## Advanced: Throttle Boost and Throttle PID Attenuation (TPA)

### Throttle Boost

Throttle Boost increases throttle responsiveness during rapid stick movements:

“`
set throttle_boost = 5
set throttle_boost_cutoff = 15
“`

– Base value of 5-10 is typical
– Only activates during fast throttle changes
– Does not affect steady-state hover or cruising

### TPA (Throttle PID Attenuation)

TPA reduces PID gains at high throttle to prevent oscillations during punch-outs:

“`
set tpa_rate = 65
set tpa_breakpoint = 1350
“`

TPA is NOT a substitute for good tuning — it is a safety net for high-throttle oscillations that cannot be tuned out.

## Practical Tuning Workflow

1. **Find Throttle MID:** Hover and note stick position → set `throttle_mid`
2. **Set EXPO to 0.50:** This is a balanced starting point
3. **Fly and evaluate:** Hover, cruise, punch out — how does it feel?
4. **Adjust EXPO:**
– Too twitchy at hover? Increase EXPO by 0.05-0.10
– Feels sluggish? Decrease EXPO by 0.05-0.10
5. **Test over multiple flights:** At least 3-4 packs before finalizing
6. **Save your CLI dump** so you can restore settings

## Recommended Throttle Control Hardware

Smooth throttle control also depends on quality hardware. Gimbal tension, stick length, and radio ergonomics all play a role. UAVModel carries high-quality **RadioMaster, Jumper, and FrSky transmitters** with adjustable hall-effect gimbals, as well as **stick ends and gimbal upgrades** for precision throttle control. Visit [uavmodel.com](https://uavmodel.com) for radio gear that gives you the control resolution you need.

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