How to Use the CFM to Tons Calculator

A CFM to Tons Calculator helps HVAC professionals and building engineers convert airflow (in Cubic Feet per Minute or CFM) into cooling capacity (in tons), making it easier to size air conditioning systems accurately.

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What Does It Do?

This tool calculates the cooling capacity in tons based on the input airflow (CFM) and the industry-standard conversion factor (typically 400 CFM per ton of cooling).

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Steps to Use:

1. Enter the total CFM (cubic feet per minute) your HVAC system is moving.
2. Enter the CFM per ton value (default is 400, commonly used in the industry).
3. Click "Convert to Tons" to get the result.

The calculator will display the estimated cooling capacity in tons, which you can use to match the proper size HVAC unit for a given airflow requirement.

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Example:

If you input:

• CFM = 1600
• CFM per ton = 400

The result will be:

Cooling Capacity: 4.00 tons

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CFM to Tons Calculator FAQ

Q1: What is CFM?
A: CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute and measures the volume of air an HVAC system moves.

Q2: What is the default CFM per ton value?
A: 400 CFM per ton is standard for most systems, but it can vary (e.g., 350 or 450) depending on humidity and climate.

Q3: Is this tool suitable for commercial HVAC systems?
A: Yes, as long as you enter accurate CFM and CFM-per-ton values, this calculator works for residential and commercial applications.

Q4: What does "tons" mean in HVAC?
A: “Tons” in HVAC refers to the cooling capacity of a system. One ton equals 12,000 BTU/hour of cooling.

Q5: Can I reverse the calculation (Tons to CFM)?
A: Yes! Simply multiply the number of tons by the CFM-per-ton rate (e.g., 3 tons × 400 CFM = 1200 CFM).