Server Room Cooling Calculator
Cooling tonnage and airflow for IT load.
Enter your values
Enter the it equipment load in W.
Enter the ups and pdu losses in %.
Enter the people in room you are working with.
Enter the lighting and other in W.
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.
- Cooling required
- 20,131 BTU/h
- In tons
- 1.68
- Total heat load
- 5,900 W
- Airflow at 20 °F ΔT
- 932 CFM
- Recommended unit
- 1.75 ton with N+1 redundancy
Quick answer
Server room cooling is dominated by IT load, where every watt drawn becomes a watt of heat.
BTU/h = (IT watts + other watts) x 3.412
At a glance
| What it does | Cooling tonnage and airflow for IT load. |
|---|---|
| Category | HVAC & Airflow |
| Inputs needed | IT equipment load, UPS and PDU losses, People in room, Lighting and other |
| Main output | Cooling required |
| Formula | BTU/h = (IT watts + other watts) x 3.412 |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Server Room Cooling Calculator
- 1Enter the measured or nameplate IT load in watts.
- 2Add UPS losses, occupants and lighting.
- 3Choose a unit with capacity headroom and plan redundancy.
Inputs explained
- IT equipment load(W)
- Enter the it equipment load in W.
- UPS and PDU losses(%)
- Enter the ups and pdu losses in %.
- People in room
- Enter the people in room you are working with.
- Lighting and other(W)
- Enter the lighting and other in W.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- IT equipment load5000 W
- UPS and PDU losses10 %
- People in room1
- Lighting and other300 W
Results
- Cooling required20,131 BTU/h
- In tons1.68
- Total heat load5,900 W
- Airflow at 20 °F ΔT932 CFM
- Recommended unit1.75 ton with N+1 redundancy
Frequently asked questions
Should I use nameplate wattage?
Nameplate is conservative; measured load at the PDU is usually 40–60% of it.
Do I need humidity control?
Yes for larger rooms — very dry air raises static discharge risk and very humid air risks condensation.
What do I need to enter into the Server Room Cooling Calculator?
Just 4 values: it equipment load, ups and pdu losses, people in room, lighting and other. 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 Server Room Cooling Calculator work out the answer?
Server room cooling is dominated by IT load, where every watt drawn becomes a watt of heat. It applies the formula BTU/h = (IT watts + other watts) x 3.412 and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Server Room Cooling 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.