kW to Tons of Refrigeration Converter
Convert kilowatts to tons of refrigeration — one ton is 3.517 kW. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One kilowatt is 0.2843 ton of refrigerations — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the kw to tons of refrigeration converter works
Power converts through the watt. Mechanical horsepower is 550 ft·lbf/s = 745.6999 W; metric horsepower (PS, used in European car specs) is 735.4988 W. Air-conditioner capacities are quoted in kW, BTU/h (1 W = 3.412 BTU/h) or tons of refrigeration (3.517 kW).
The UK is metric for most trade and science but keeps miles, pints, stone and mpg (with the imperial gallon) in daily life.
Common power conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 0.2843 TR | kilowatt to ton of refrigerations |
| 3.517 kW | 1 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 5 kW | 1.4217 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 7 kW | 1.9904 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 10 kW | 2.8435 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 14 kW | 3.9808 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 17.6 kW | 5.0045 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 20 kW | 5.6869 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 35 kW | 9.9521 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 50 kW | 14.2173 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 70 kW | 19.9042 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 100 kW | 28.4345 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
Units in this converter and their exact factors
| Unit | Symbol | One unit in watts |
|---|---|---|
| watt | W | 1 watt |
| kilowatt | kW | 1,000 watt |
| megawatt | MW | 1,000,000 watt |
| horsepower (mechanical) | hp | 745.6998715823 watt |
| metric horsepower (PS) | PS | 735.49875 watt |
| BTU per hour | BTU/h | 0.29307107 watt |
| ton of refrigeration | TR | 3,516.8528421 watt |
FAQFrequently asked questions about power conversion
What is a ton of refrigeration?
The cooling rate that freezes one short ton of water into ice in 24 hours — 3.517 kW, or 12,000 BTU/h.
Why is cooling measured in tons?
It predates mechanical refrigeration: capacity was compared against how much ice the machine replaced.
What is 10 kW in tons?
2.84 tons.
Is it a weight?
No — it is a rate of heat removal that happens to be named after one.
What is a domestic split system?
Usually under 2 tons; a large ducted system might be 5 to 10.
Where these figures come from
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure, 9th edition) — definitions of the base and derived units.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact conversion factors used here.
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL) — United Kingdom's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.