A theory is reported for calculating the coupling length Lc of Ti:LiNbO3 single-mode waveguide directional couplers from the process parameters and operating wavelength. Estimates are accurate to within a factor of 2 compared with published experimental results for Z-cut Y-propagating LiNbO3 devices for 0.63 μm &le λ &le 1.56 μm. The use of this formalism to determine acceptable process parameter and wavelength tolerances is demonstrated.