Estimate cooling capacity from airflow, or airflow from cooling capacity, using a specified CFM per refrigeration ton. The default 400 CFM/ton is a rule of thumb; mass tons are not cooling-capacity units.
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| CFM to Tons | Tons to CFM |
|---|---|
| 50 CFM = 0.1250 tons | 0.5 tons = 200 CFM |
| 75 CFM = 0.1875 tons | 0.75 tons = 300 CFM |
| 100 CFM = 0.2500 tons | 1 ton = 400 CFM |
| 150 CFM = 0.3750 tons | 1.25 tons = 500 CFM |
| 200 CFM = 0.5000 tons | 1.5 tons = 600 CFM |
| 250 CFM = 0.6250 tons | 2 tons = 800 CFM |
| 300 CFM = 0.7500 tons | 2.5 tons = 1,000 CFM |
| 350 CFM = 0.8750 tons | 3 tons = 1,200 CFM |
| 400 CFM = 1.0000 tons | 3.5 tons = 1,400 CFM |
| 500 CFM = 1.2500 tons | 4 tons = 1,600 CFM |
| 600 CFM = 1.5000 tons | 5 tons = 2,000 CFM |
| 700 CFM = 1.7500 tons | 6 tons = 2,400 CFM |
| 800 CFM = 2.0000 tons | 7.5 tons = 3,000 CFM |
| 900 CFM = 2.2500 tons | 8 tons = 3,200 CFM |
| 1,000 CFM = 2.5000 tons | 10 tons = 4,000 CFM |
| 1,200 CFM = 3.0000 tons | 12 tons = 4,800 CFM |
| 1,400 CFM = 3.5000 tons | 15 tons = 6,000 CFM |
| 1,600 CFM = 4.0000 tons | 18 tons = 7,200 CFM |
| 2,000 CFM = 5.0000 tons | 20 tons = 8,000 CFM |
| 3,000 CFM = 7.5000 tons | 25 tons = 10,000 CFM |
| Formulas: tons = CFM ÷ 400 and CFM = tons × 400. Table reflects the calculator’s 400 CFM/ton rule-of-thumb. | |
CFM to Tons Formula
The following formula estimates cooling tons assuming 400 CFM per refrigeration ton. Airflow alone does not measure actual cooling capacity.
Variables:
- CFM is the airflow in cubic feet per minute
- Tons is the estimated cooling capacity in refrigeration tons, not short or metric tons of mass
To convert CFM to tons, divide the airflow value by 400.
What is CFM?
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and is a measure of airflow. It is commonly used to specify the performance of air compressors, HVAC systems, and other equipment that moves or processes air. In the context of cooling systems, CFM is used to measure the volume of air that passes through an air conditioning unit, whose relationship to cooling capacity depends on equipment and operating conditions.
What is Tons in Cooling Capacity?
In HVAC terms, one refrigeration ton is a heat-removal rate of 12,000 Btu/hour, approximately 3.517 kilowatts. It is not a mass unit. The term originated from the historical use of ice to cool buildings.
How to Calculate CFM to Tons?
The following steps outline how to convert CFM to tons of cooling capacity.
- First, determine the airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
- Next, use the formula from above: Tons = CFM / 400.
- Finally, calculate the estimated refrigeration tons. Confirm equipment airflow requirements and the building load before sizing a system.
- After inserting the CFM value and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variable as an example problem to test your knowledge.
airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM) = 800 CFM
Using the 400 CFM per refrigeration ton assumption, Tons = 800 CFM / 400 = 2 refrigeration tons.
