Air conditioners are rated in BTU/h or “tons”. The ton comes from the cooling provided by melting one short ton of ice in 24 hours. A typical home central AC is 2–5 tons.
How to use the BTU to Tons Converter
- Cooling capacity
Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Enter the capacity in any unit.
Tips
- Use absolute temperature (K) in gas laws and efficiency formulas.
- Temperature differences are the same in K and °C.
- Heat = mass × specific heat × temperature change when no phase change occurs.
- Phase changes need latent heat at a constant temperature.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using °C in pV = nRT.
- Forgetting latent heat during melting or boiling.
- Confusing heat capacity (J/K) with specific heat (J/(kg·K)).
What each result means
- BTU per hour = [Cooling capacity]÷0.29307107017
- Refrigeration tons = [Cooling capacity]÷3516.85284
- Kilowatts = [Cooling capacity]÷1000
Example values
How the main result changes when Cooling capacity changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Cooling capacity (BTU/h) | Refrigeration tons (TR) |
|---|---|
| 12,000 | 1 |
| 18,000 | 1.5 |
| 24,000 | 2 |
| 30,000 | 2.5 |
| 36,000 | 3 |
| 48,000 | 4 |
Formula
1 ton of refrigeration = 12,000 BTU/h = 3.51685 kWWorked example
Inputs — Cooling capacity: 24,000 BTU/h.
Results — BTU per hour = 24,000 BTU/h; Refrigeration tons = 2 TR; Kilowatts = 7.0337 kW.
Key terms
- Refrigeration ton
- 12,000 BTU/h of cooling.
Frequently asked questions
How many BTU/h is one ton?
12,000 BTU/h.
Where does the ton come from?
Melting one short ton of ice in 24 hours.
How many tons for a 2,000 ft² house?
Roughly 3–4 tons, depending on climate and insulation.
How many kW is a ton?
3.517 kW of cooling.
What formula does the BTU to Tons Converter use?
1 ton of refrigeration = 12,000 BTU/h = 3.51685 kW.