HVAC & Airflow

Radiator Fan CFM Calculator

Electric cooling fan sizing for an engine.

Enter your values

Enter the engine horsepower in HP.

Choose one of: Naturally aspirated, Turbo / supercharged.

Enter the radiator width in in.

Enter the radiator height in in.

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.

Results
Fan airflow needed
963 CFM
Core face area
3.17 sq ft
Face velocity
304 FPM
Shroud
Cover 70%+ of the core
Current draw estimate
5.3 A at 12V

Quick answer

A common rule is 250-300 CFM of radiator airflow per 100 horsepower, with more for forced induction.

CFM ≈ HP x 2.75 x boost factor

At a glance

What it doesElectric cooling fan sizing for an engine.
CategoryHVAC & Airflow
Inputs neededEngine horsepower, Aspiration, Radiator width, Radiator height
Main outputFan airflow needed
FormulaCFM ≈ HP x 2.75 x boost factor
CostFree — no sign-up, no download

How to use the Radiator Fan CFM Calculator

  1. 1Enter crank horsepower and whether the engine is boosted.
  2. 2Measure the radiator core, not the tanks.
  3. 3Fit a full shroud — an unshrouded fan pulls air from the easiest path, not through the core.

Inputs explained

Engine horsepower(HP)
Enter the engine horsepower in HP.
Aspiration
Choose one of: Naturally aspirated, Turbo / supercharged.
Radiator width(in)
Enter the radiator width in in.
Radiator height(in)
Enter the radiator height in in.

Worked example

Using the values the calculator loads with:

Inputs

  • Engine horsepower350 HP
  • AspirationNaturally aspirated
  • Radiator width24 in
  • Radiator height19 in

Results

  • Fan airflow needed963 CFM
  • Core face area3.17 sq ft
  • Face velocity304 FPM
  • ShroudCover 70%+ of the core
  • Current draw estimate5.3 A at 12V

Frequently asked questions

Push or pull?

A puller fan behind the radiator is roughly 15-20% more effective than a pusher in front.

Two fans?

Dual fans give redundancy and better core coverage on wide radiators.

What do I need to enter into the Radiator Fan CFM Calculator?

Just 4 values: engine horsepower, aspiration, radiator width, radiator height. 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 Radiator Fan CFM Calculator work out the answer?

A common rule is 250-300 CFM of radiator airflow per 100 horsepower, with more for forced induction. It applies the formula CFM ≈ HP x 2.75 x boost factor and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.

Is the Radiator Fan CFM 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.