Duct Airflow Cfm
Calculator

Inputs

Air flow (m³/h)
450

Results

Air flow (m³/h)
450
Air flow (CFM)
264.86
Air flow (L/s)
125

HVAC and plumbing results

Air flow (m³/h)450
Air flow (CFM)264.86
Air flow (L/s)125

formula-map diagram

Air flow (m³/h)
450
Air flow (CFM)
264.86
Air flow (L/s)
125

HVAC and plumbing relationship

Formula

Q = V × ACH

= 450

Note

This is a simplified model: it applies a standard engineering formula to the numbers you entered. Conversions between BTU/h and kW use the exact factor 1 kW = 3412.142 BTU/h, but every sizing figure is an estimate. Air conditioner sizing uses the common 20 BTU/h per square foot rule of thumb, not a room-by-room load calculation, and it ignores insulation, glazing, orientation, ceiling height, infiltration and local climate. Heating loads use a single volumetric heat-loss factor in W/m³·K rather than a fabric-by-fabric U-value calculation. Air properties are fixed at 1.2 kg/m³ and water at 1000 kg/m³ and 4186 J/kg·K, with no correction for temperature, altitude or glycol. Duct and pipe results use the ideal continuity equation and ignore fittings, bends, roughness and system effect unless you enter those losses yourself. The Hazen-Williams equation is valid only for water in full turbulent flow at ordinary temperatures. Water hammer uses the Joukowsky surge, an upper bound for instant closure. Tank drainage assumes a prismatic tank and steady free discharge. Hot water recovery and condensate figures ignore standing losses and coil bypass. Size real systems with a proper heat-loss survey and have the work checked by a qualified HVAC or plumbing professional.

More in HVAC and plumbing

See all →

Frequently asked questions

What does CFM actually measure?+

CFM stands for cubic feet per minute — the volume of air moving through a duct or vent each minute. It's the standard measurement for describing how much air a fan, blower, or HVAC system is delivering.

How is CFM calculated from duct dimensions and air velocity?+

CFM equals the duct's cross-sectional area (in square feet) multiplied by the air velocity (in feet per minute). Doubling either the duct size or the air speed doubles the resulting airflow rate.

Why does my measured CFM seem lower than the fan's rated CFM?+

Rated CFM is usually measured under ideal lab conditions with no duct resistance. Real installations lose airflow to duct friction, bends, filters, and grille restrictions, so actual delivered CFM is often noticeably lower than the nameplate figure.

What CFM do I need for a given room?+

A common starting point is 1 CFM per square foot of floor area for typical residential cooling, though this varies with ceiling height, insulation, and the number of air changes required for the room's use (kitchens and bathrooms typically need more).

Can too much CFM be a problem?+

Yes — oversized airflow can cause excessive noise, drafts, and uneven temperatures, and it can also prevent the system from running long enough to dehumidify the space properly, similar to an oversized air conditioner.