Kitchen
Range Hood / Vent Hood Sizing Calculator
Calculates range hood CFM by stove BTU output and kitchen size
Updated May 13, 2026 · Live
What this tool does
Calculates the minimum range hood CFM needed using kitchen volume and cooking style (air-changes-per-hour method).
Calculates the minimum CFM needed for a range hood using kitchen volume ({kitchen_length_ft} x {kitchen_width_ft} x {kitchen_height_ft}) and cooking style, returning {result}.
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Formula Used
How the range hood / vent hood sizing calculator works
Calculates range hood CFM by stove BTU output and kitchen size. The calculator takes your dimensions and supplier rates, applies a standard US construction formula, and returns a quantity with an indicative cost. Every figure is an estimate — site conditions always move the final number.
Typical US kitchen wastage
Cabinets and countertops are cut to size — wastage is in the offcuts (typically 10% by area) and any mismeasure that needs re-ordering. Our defaults reflect common US trade allowances, and can be adjusted upwards for non-standard geometry or downwards where experience supports a lower figure.
What this tool does not do
It does not replace a professional quote, factor regional pricing, assess structural adequacy, or confirm building code compliance. Those remain the responsibility of a suitably qualified designer, engineer, or your local building official.
On-site considerations for range hood / vent hood sizing
Range hood ventilation must be ducted to the outside per IRC M1503; recirculating hoods are not a code-compliant substitute for high-CFM cooking. New circuits require a Permit and inspection per NEC.
Codes and compliance
Kitchen electrical — small-appliance circuits, GFCI/AFCI protection, and dedicated circuits — is governed by NEC Article 210. Plumbing follows the IPC. Use a state-licensed electrician for any new circuit. When in doubt, file a pre-application question with your local building department — early clarity is cheaper than a corrective inspection.
Before you order
Order cabinets, counters, and appliances on overlapping lead times so installation does not stall. Stone countertops typically run 3–4 weeks from template to delivery. Cross-checking the calculator’s output against a supplier quote helps catch differences in pricing assumptions — ask for exact product specifications (grade, finish, batch number) and confirm delivery timescales against your programme.
Adjusting the defaults
Every input in this calculator is editable. Enter your own dimensions, supplier prices, and wastage allowance — the output recalculates instantly. If the defaults feel off for your region or project type, your own numbers always override them.
Using this range hood / vent hood sizing calculator alongside other BuildMetricLab tools
This calculator works best as part of a planning workflow. Pair the quantity with our project contingency, labor-hours, and material-cost calculators to build a complete estimate before you pick up the phone to a supplier. All BuildMetricLab tools run entirely in your browser — no sign-up, no data sent anywhere, and every formula is shown on-page so you can audit the math.
Sources & methodology
This calculator sizes a range hood using the volume-based air-changes-per-hour (ACH) method, subject to a 100 CFM minimum. Kitchen volume (length × width × ceiling height, in cubic feet) is multiplied by an ACH rate — 10 for light/baking cooking, 15 for mixed/typical use, 20 for heavy frying or grilling — and divided by 60 to convert to CFM. The result, or 100 CFM (whichever is greater), is shown as the minimum recommended range hood CFM. This is a planning-stage estimate consistent with HVI and ASHRAE 62.2 residential guidance; hood manufacturers may also recommend sizing based on total burner BTU output (roughly 1 CFM per 100 BTU/h) — check your appliance's specification alongside this estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Are range hood / vent hood sizing calculator results accurate enough to order materials?
Use them as a starting estimate only. Verifying the final quantity with your supplier or contractor before ordering is good practice — site conditions, wastage and cut-offs all affect the true figure.
Why do I need to pick a cooking style?
Cooking style sets the air-changes-per-hour (ACH) rate used in the volume-based sizing method: about 10 ACH for light/baking use, 15 ACH for mixed/typical use, and 20 ACH for heavy frying or grilling. Higher ACH values increase the recommended CFM because heavier cooking produces more heat, smoke, and grease-laden air that needs to be removed.
Does this replace professional advice?
No. This tool provides a planning-stage estimate only, not a substitute for a qualified professional. For work that affects structure, building code compliance, gas, electrical, plumbing, or drainage to a public sewer, consult a licensed contractor or design professional.
What if my kitchen is an open-plan or combined space?
For open-plan kitchens, use the dimensions of just the cooking area (or the whole open-plan volume if there is no partition) — enter the length, width, and ceiling height for the space you want ventilated, then choose the cooking style that best matches how you cook.
Spotted something off?
Calculations or display — let us know.
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