Duct design

Duct Size Calculator

Estimate a round duct diameter from CFM and target velocity.

Created · Updated

Calculator

Round duct sizein diameter

How to use

Enter the airflow and a project-selected target velocity. The result is a theoretical round diameter before selecting an available duct size.

Formula

Area = CFM ÷ FPM; D = 12 × √(4 × Area ÷ π)

Variables

CFM is cubic feet per minute, FPM is feet per minute, and D is duct diameter in inches.

Example

At 800 CFM and 700 FPM, the required area is about 1.14 ft² and the calculated diameter is about 14.5 in.

Result interpretation

Choose a practical duct size and recheck velocity, friction loss, fittings, noise, and local requirements.

FAQ

Is a lower velocity always better?

No. Lower velocity may require larger ductwork; acceptable velocity depends on the system, noise target, and design method.

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