Bar Ventilation Calculator
Outdoor air CFM for a bar or lounge.
Enter your values
Enter the peak occupants you are working with.
Enter the bar floor area in sq ft.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Outdoor air required
- 630 CFM
- Occupant density
- 16.7 sq ft/person
- Total supply at 1.5 CFM/sq ft
- 1,500 CFM
Quick answer
Bars and lounges typically need about 7.5 CFM per person plus 0.18 CFM per square foot, often at higher density than dining rooms.
CFM = 7.5 x people + 0.18 x area
At a glance
| What it does | Outdoor air CFM for a bar or lounge. |
|---|---|
| Category | HVAC & Airflow |
| Inputs needed | Peak occupants, Bar floor area |
| Main output | Outdoor air required |
| Formula | CFM = 7.5 x people + 0.18 x area |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Bar Ventilation Calculator
- 1Estimate the peak standing-room occupancy for the bar area.
- 2Enter the bar floor area.
- 3Size supply air generously since bars run denser and warmer than dining rooms.
Inputs explained
- Peak occupants
- Enter the peak occupants you are working with.
- Bar floor area(sq ft)
- Enter the bar floor area in sq ft.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Peak occupants60
- Bar floor area1000 sq ft
Results
- Outdoor air required630 CFM
- Occupant density16.7 sq ft/person
- Total supply at 1.5 CFM/sq ft1,500 CFM
Frequently asked questions
Why higher supply rate than dining?
Standing crowds generate more heat and CO2 per square foot than seated diners.
Smoking areas?
Any indoor smoking area needs dedicated high-CFM exhaust per local code, calculated separately.
What do I need to enter into the Bar Ventilation Calculator?
Just 2 values: peak occupants, bar floor area. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Bar Ventilation Calculator work out the answer?
Bars and lounges typically need about 7.5 CFM per person plus 0.18 CFM per square foot, often at higher density than dining rooms. It applies the formula CFM = 7.5 x people + 0.18 x area and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Bar Ventilation Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.