Cooling Load Tons to CFM Calculator
Convert refrigeration tons directly into supply air CFM.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Supply airflow
- 4,000 CFM
- Equivalent BTU/hr
- 120,000
- Equivalent kW
- 35.2
Quick answer
A common rule of thumb converts cooling load to airflow using about 400 CFM per ton of refrigeration for comfort cooling.
CFM = tons x CFM per ton
How to use the Cooling Load Tons to CFM Calculator
- 1Enter the cooling load in tons of refrigeration.
- 2Choose the CFM-per-ton factor — 400 is standard comfort cooling, lower for high-dehumidification applications.
- 3Multiply to get the equivalent supply airflow.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Cooling load10 tons
- CFM per ton400 CFM/ton
Results
- Supply airflow4,000 CFM
- Equivalent BTU/hr120,000
- Equivalent kW35.2
Frequently asked questions
Why 400 CFM per ton?
It results in roughly a 20F temperature drop across the coil for typical comfort-cooling sensible heat ratios.
When would I use a lower factor?
High-latent-load or dehumidification-focused systems often use 300-350 CFM per ton for deeper dehumidification.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.