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AC Size (BTU) Calculator

Estimate room cooling capacity from area and an adjustable cooling-load rate.

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Calculate concrete, rebar, paint, tiles and air-conditioning capacity.

The AC BTU calculator provides a simple area-based cooling-capacity estimate. It multiplies room area by an editable cooling-load rate in BTU per hour per square meter and also expresses the result in refrigeration tons.

How it works

Enter the room or conditioned area in square meters and the cooling-load rate you want to assume in BTU/h per m². The calculator multiplies the two values to obtain BTU/h, then divides by 12,000 to express the same capacity in refrigeration tons.

The formula

Cooling capacity (BTU/h) = area (m²) × entered cooling-load rate (BTU/h per m²). Refrigeration tons = BTU/h ÷ 12,000.

The cooling-load rate is editable; the calculator defaults to 600 BTU/h per m². This default is a calculation assumption, not a universal sizing rule. The simplified formula does not independently model climate, solar gain, wall and roof insulation, glazing, orientation, ceiling height, occupants, appliances, ventilation or infiltration.

Worked example

For 20 m² using an entered rate of 600 BTU/h per m², capacity = 20 × 600 = 12,000 BTU/h, equivalent to 1.00 refrigeration ton.

Use the result for preliminary comparison only. Final air-conditioning selection should consider the actual building envelope, climate, occupancy, ventilation and manufacturer or HVAC-design requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is 600 BTU/h per m² always the correct rate?

No. It is the calculator's editable default assumption. Actual cooling loads vary significantly with building and climate conditions.

Why is one refrigeration ton equal to 12,000 BTU/h here?

The calculator uses 12,000 BTU/h per refrigeration ton when expressing the calculated cooling capacity in tons.

Can this replace a professional HVAC load calculation?

No. It is a simplified area-rate estimate and does not model the full set of heat gains and building characteristics required for detailed equipment sizing.

Last content reviewAugust 8, 2026
Editorial reviewHe-Sab Editorial Review

Sources and references

These sources are used to verify terminology, formulas, and information related to this calculator.