Home & DIY

Air Conditioner Size Calculator

BTU capacity for a room.

Enter your values

Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed.

Results
Required capacity
6,000 BTU/h
In tons
0.5
Typical unit to buy
1 ton
Estimated running watts
600
Room area
300 sq ft

Quick answer

Start from 20 BTU per square foot, then adjust for sunlight, ceiling height, kitchens and extra occupants.

BTU = area × 20 + adjustments

How to use the Air Conditioner Size Calculator

  1. 1Measure the room's floor area in square feet.
  2. 2Enter ceiling height and occupancy.
  3. 3Adjust for sun exposure and kitchen heat.

Frequently asked questions

Is bigger better?

No — an oversized unit short cycles and leaves the room humid.

What about insulation?

Poorly insulated rooms need 10–20% more capacity.