Kitchen Exhaust CFM Calculator
Whole-kitchen ventilation by air changes.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Extraction required
- 432 CFM
- Kitchen volume
- 1,728 cu ft
- Make-up air to supply
- 346 CFM
- In m³/h
- 734
Quick answer
Kitchens are normally ventilated at 12–15 air changes per hour on top of the cooking hood's local extraction.
CFM = kitchen volume x ACH / 60
How to use the Kitchen Exhaust CFM Calculator
- 1Measure the kitchen and enter its dimensions.
- 2Use 12 ACH for domestic kitchens and 15–30 for heavy cooking.
- 3Plan make-up air at about 80% of the extraction rate.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Kitchen length16 ft
- Kitchen width12 ft
- Ceiling height9 ft
- Air changes per hour15 ACH
Results
- Extraction required432 CFM
- Kitchen volume1,728 cu ft
- Make-up air to supply346 CFM
- In m³/h734
Frequently asked questions
Is this instead of a hood?
No — hood extraction captures grease at source; whole-room ventilation handles the rest.
What about commercial kitchens?
Commercial hoods are sized per linear foot of hood and appliance duty, often 200–400 CFM per foot.
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.