Air Conditioner Tonnage Calculator

Estimate air conditioner size from room area.

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Air Conditioner Tonnage Calculator

How to use this tool

  1. Enter your values in the fields above.
  2. Press Generate. The result appears below the buttons.
  3. Use Load sample to see a worked example, or Clear to start again.

Worked example

For a 1,200 sq ft room with an 8 ft ceiling: 1,200 x 20 = 24,000 BTU/h, which is 24,000 / 12,000 = 2.00 tons.

What this tool does not do / Limits

This is a rough sizing estimate only. It ignores insulation, windows, sunlight, climate, occupancy and heat from appliances, so a real installation needs a proper load calculation.

Frequently asked questions

Why 20 BTU per square foot?

It is a common rough rule for a normally insulated room. A sun-facing room with large windows may need more, and a well-shaded room may need less.

Should I round up or down?

Round to the nearest standard size, and do not greatly oversize: an oversized unit cools fast but dehumidifies poorly and cycles on and off.

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