BTU to Ton Calculator

Convert cooling capacity to standard refrigeration tons

Input Capacity

BTU/hr
Adjust Capacity12,000 BTU/hr
Standard AC Sizes

Refrigeration Tonnage

1.00 Tons

1 Ton is equivalent to removing 12,000 BTU of heat per hour.

Cooling Power (kW)

3.52 kW

1 kW = 3,412.14 BTU/hr (metric cooling power output).

Cooling Capacity (Watts)

3,517 W

Total cooling power in electrical watt equivalent.

Approx. Room Area Coverage

600 sq. ft.

Assumes standard 8 ft ceilings and average insulation.

Sizing Reference Guide

In HVAC terms, a **Ton** of refrigeration capacity measures the heat transfer rate. It originates from the rate of heat absorption needed to melt 1 ton (2,000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours (equal to **288,000 BTU/day** or **12,000 BTU/hour**).

To get the exact tonnage of a cooling unit, divide its BTU output by 12,000. Selecting the correct size is crucial: an oversized unit will turn on and off rapidly (short-cycling) leading to poor humidity control and high wear, while an undersized unit will run continuously and fail to maintain temperatures.