Drake Equation Calculator

N = R x fp x ne x fl x fi x fc x L

This calculator allows you to predict the approximate number of alien civilizations in our own galaxy that we might be able to contact. Some default values are shown as a starting point - change these to reflect your estimates.

R		The number of stars that are born in the Milky Way each year
fp	%	The percentage of these stars that have solar systems of planets
ne		The average number of "Earthlike" planets (potentially suitable for life) in the typical solar system
fl	%	The percentage of those planets on which life actually forms
fi	%	The percentage of life-bearing planets where intelligence evolves
fc	%	The percentage of intelligent species that produce interstellar radio communications
L		The average lifetime of a communicating civilization in years

N		The number of civilizations we might be able to communicate with