What Size AC for 150 Square Feet?

A 150 ft² room needs about 5,000 BTU of cooling. Shop for a 5,000 BTU air conditioner (0.42 tons). Adjust below for sun, ceiling height, people and kitchens.

Your project

people

Results

Cooling capacity needed
5,000 BTU/hr
Standard unit size to shop for
5,000 BTU
In tons of cooling
0.42 tons

How we got there

Room area
150 ft²
Base capacity for this area
5,000 BTU/hr
Adjustments (sun, ceiling, people, kitchen)
0 BTU/hr
  • Based on the Energy Star room-size chart, with typical adjustments for sun, ceiling height, occupancy and kitchens. If the room opens onto another space, size for both. Do not oversize: a unit that is too big cools quickly, shuts off, and leaves the air clammy.

What changes the size for a 150 ft² room

150 ft² is about 12 × 12 ft, or 15 × 10 ft, or 13 × 12 ft. The base capacity is for an average room, and the table adjusts it for the things that add or remove heat:

ConditionsBTU neededShop for
Average room (2 people, 8 ft ceiling)5,000 BTU5,000 BTU
Heavily shaded room4,500 BTU5,000 BTU
Very sunny room5,500 BTU6,000 BTU
4 people regularly in the room6,200 BTU8,000 BTU
It is a kitchen9,000 BTU10,000 BTU
10 ft ceilings6,300 BTU8,000 BTU

What kind of air conditioner is that?

A unit this size is a small window air conditioner or a small portable unit, and it runs on a standard 120 V household outlet.

Bigger is not better: an oversized unit cools the room quickly, shuts off, and leaves it clammy. See the full sizing guide for window, portable and mini-split options.

Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full AC Size Calculator (BTU): edit any number and the results update instantly.

Tools & materials for this project

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Frequently asked questions

What size air conditioner for 150 square feet?

About 5,000 BTU per hour, so shop for a 5,000 BTU unit. That is 0.42 tons of cooling, based on Energy Star room-size guidance for an average room.

Is a 5,000 BTU air conditioner enough for 150 sq ft?

Yes for an average room with 8 ft ceilings and two people. A very sunny room would need about 5,500 BTU, and a kitchen about 9,000 BTU, so size up in those cases.

What if my 150 sq ft room has high ceilings?

With 10 ft ceilings, the same 150 ft² needs about 6,300 BTU (8,000 BTU), because there is more air to cool.

Related sizes and guides

Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.