AC Size Calculator

Determine the air conditioner size for a space.

How It Works

BTU = Area × 20 × (Ceiling ÷ 8) × Sun factor × Insulation factor. Tons = BTU ÷ 12,000.

Example

500 sq ft with strong sun and poor insulation: 500 × 20 × 1.2 × 1.15 = 13,800 BTU ≈ 1.2 tons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "ton" mean in AC?

One ton equals 12,000 BTU/hour — the cooling capacity of one ton of ice melting per day.

What size AC do I need?

A quick rule is 1 ton per ~500–600 sq ft of well-insulated space; this calculator refines that.

Is bigger better?

No — an oversized unit short-cycles and fails to dehumidify. Size to the actual load.