Tons to BTU Calculator

1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr. Enter a refrigeration-ton rating to see its equivalent capacity.

Cooling capacity

Type a size in tons to see BTU/hr.

1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr

1 ton = the cooling of melting 2,000 lb of ice per day.

Common AC ratings

Choose a capacity to fill the calculator, or open its worked example.

To reverse the conversion, multiply refrigeration tons by 12,000. For example:

2 × 12,000 = 24,000 BTU/hr

These are equivalent capacities. A matching size does not tell you if an AC is right for your room.

Common ton ratings
Tons	BTU/hr	Cooling kW	Size class
1	12,000	3.5169	1 ton
1.5	18,000	5.2753	1.5 ton
2	24,000	7.0337	2 ton
2.5	30,000	8.7921	2.5 ton
3	36,000	10.5506	3 ton
3.5	42,000	12.309	3.5 ton
4	48,000	14.0674	4 ton
5	60,000	17.5843	5 ton

A refrigeration ton is a capacity unit, equal to 12,000 BTU/hr; it is not the unit's weight.

There is no universal area-to-tonnage ratio. Room conditions, building design and climate affect the required capacity.

Whole-home systems require a separate load calculation.