AC Horsepower Calculator
Convert air conditioner horsepower to BTU and cooling tons instantly.
In air-conditioning, "horsepower" describes cooling capacity, not engine power. This calculator converts aircon HP into BTU per hour and cooling tons so you can size a unit to a room.
AC HP to BTU and Tons
This horsepower rating is common for split and window air conditioners in many Asian markets, where a "1 HP aircon" is understood to mean roughly 9,000 BTU/hr of cooling. One cooling ton equals 12,000 BTU/hr.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the aircon horsepower (e.g. 1, 1.5, 2).
- Read the BTU/hr and tonnage to match it to your room size.
Common AC Sizes
| AC HP | BTU/hr | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 9,000 | 0.75 |
| 1.5 | 13,500 | 1.13 |
| 2.0 | 18,000 | 1.50 |
| 2.5 | 22,500 | 1.88 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Approximately 9,000 BTU per hour. This is the industry convention for rating room air conditioners by horsepower.
One AC horsepower is about 0.75 cooling tons, since one ton equals 12,000 BTU/hr and 1 HP ≈ 9,000 BTU/hr.
No. Aircon HP describes cooling capacity (BTU), not mechanical power. It's a market convention, mainly in Asia, for sizing air conditioners.
As a rough guide, a 1 HP (9,000 BTU) unit suits a small bedroom up to about 150 sq ft. Larger rooms need 1.5–2 HP. Insulation and sun exposure also matter.
Divide the BTU/hr rating by 9,000. A 12,000 BTU unit is about 1.3 HP.