Discover what size air conditioner is right for your space, with our air conditioner size calculator.
Air conditioner size calculator
What are you waiting for? Beat the heat with our split system air conditioner calculator and find out what size air conditioner is right for you.
Use our simple online calculator to estimate which size air conditioner you need for your home.
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Don’t waste time, money and energy. With our air split system air conditioner size calculator, we crunch the numbers for you to get cool efficiently.
The Australian sun can be relentless, and proper air conditioning is the best way to keep comfortable when it’s roasting outside. With such an extensive range of available capacities, determining the best air conditioner split system size for your space can be challenging.
Luckily, our instant air conditioner size calculator formula will let you work out exactly what size air conditioner you need before you buy. At the touch of a button, you can make sure your new unit will cool you down as efficiently as possible, even during the most sweltering day of the year.

Why is it important to calculate air conditioner split system size?
It’s important to select the right air conditioner split system size for both the upfront cost at the time of purchase and running expenses over the following years. Not to mention the actual performance of your air conditioning system – size and power, measured in kilowatts (Kw), go hand in hand.
The more powerful an air conditioning unit, the greater its cooling output. If the system is too big, it may undergo an on-again, off-again cycle as it cools down your space quicker than designed. This will eat up power rapidly, causing your electricity bills to soar.
If an air conditioning unit is not powerful enough to cool down the space it’s in, its compressor will work overtime to maintain the set temperature. This constant overdrive wears the unit down quicker and generates heftier electricity bills in the long term.
Last but not least, your warranty could be affected if your air conditioning unit is the wrong size. An oversized or undersized unit may be rendered ‘not fit for purpose’, meaning the manufacturer can refuse your claim.
The good news is that determining what size air conditioner you need is not a problem: our air conditioner size calculator will help you to avoid these issues with convenience and ease.

Benefits of getting right air conditioner split system size
- Your space will be cooled and heated appropriately – avoids uncomfortable extremes
- Your space will be humidified suitably – avoids uncomfortable excessive humidity or dry air
- Your air conditioning system will be protected from excessive wear and tear
- A reduction in household energy consumption and potential reduction in environmental impacts
- A reduction of in household energy cost

How do I calculate what size air conditioner I need?
Our quick and simple air conditioner size calculator will determine this for you – All you need to do is measure and input your space’s dimensions.
When you calculate what size air conditioner you need with our handy online tool, you’ll get much more accuracy than a ballpark estimate. However, make sure to consider the following factors as well, which may influence what size air conditioner you need.
INSULATION
Insulation limits airflow in and out of a space and can help increase the utility of an air conditioning system. The extra cooling effect provided by insulation improves your building’s ability to maintain its temperature.
During summer, a standard uninsulated home retains 25-35 percent more heat through the ceiling and 15-25 percent more heat through the walls than an insulated home. When considered in relation to the size of your space, insulation plays a significant role in determining what size air conditioner you need.
In fact, you can often cool an insulated room with a smaller, gentler air conditioner unit than an uninsulated room of the same size, saving some dollars as you go. However, it is important that you close all exterior opening doors and windows when operating your air conditioner system to capitalise on the benefit of insulation.
If you’re determining what size air conditioner you will need in your home or space, it is important to keep in mind the effect that insulation can have.
CLIMATE
The geographic location of your home or space will have an impact on the choice of what size air conditioner system you will need. The prevailing climate of your property influences the strength of air conditioning required to cool it.
For example, homes located in the tropical climates of Darwin, or the subtropical areas of Australia like Brisbane, are much more likely to require more powerful air conditioner systems than homes located in a cooler region of Australia like in Hobart.
WINDOWS, DOORS AND ORIENTATION
The natural heat from the sun can make a significant impact on the cooling requirements of your home or space. When considering what size air conditioner system you need, it is important to think about how much and where your home receives sunlight.
An air conditioning system will have to work harder to keep a room cool when a house or room is being heated by sunlight. This means that an air conditioning system may have to work harder than expected, resulting in increased wear and tear on the system as it struggles to adequately cool the space.
Glass windows and doors are a major source of heat, particularly when they face west. If this is the case, you’ll require an air conditioner with greater capacity to cope with the extra heat from the sun. This can also be the case for older windows or windows in poor condition, which decrease a home’s ability to insulate and result in reduced energy efficiency.
On the other hand, shading from trees, neighboring houses or even barriers like shutters can decrease cooling demands and energy requirements of an air conditioner system.
It is important to consider the amount of windows, their orientation and the type of windows a home or space has, as well as any existing sunlight barriers when determining what size air conditioner system you need.
ROOM SIZE
Unsurprisingly, the size of your home or space is going to significantly influence what size air conditioner you will require to adequately cool it. In general terms: the larger the space, the more powerful the air conditioning system needed.
To give you a bit more insight, the handy table below outlines what size of air conditioner is generally suitable for a room.
Air conditioner size (capacity) necessary for a room | ||
Size of Space | Type of Room | Air Conditioner Size |
20m2 or less | A small bedroom or study | 2–2.5kW |
Between 20–40m2 | A mid-sized bedroom with ensuite or lounge | 2.5–5kW |
Between 40–60m2 | Large lounge or bedroom, open-plan/large kitchen | 4–6kW |
60m2 or more | A studio apartment or open-plan living space | 5–9kW |
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