Convert ton of refrigeration to kilowatt.

Convert ton of refrigeration (ton) to kilowatt (kW). This is a fixed-ratio conversion — multiply the input by the factor below.

Formula

kW = ton × 3.51685

Reference values

Things to watch for

• 1 HP (mechanical) = 745.7 W. Metric HP (PS) = 735.5 W. Boiler HP is yet another value. Be specific.
• A '1 ton AC unit' is a power rating: 1 ton ≈ 3.517 kW of cooling capacity (from melting one ton of ice per day).
• BTU/h ≈ 0.293 W. A 12,000 BTU/h AC = 3.5 kW = 1 ton.

What is a ton of refrigeration?

One ton of refrigeration equals exactly 12,000 BTU/h or about 3,517 watts — the cooling capacity to freeze one short ton of water in 24 hours. Air conditioner and chiller capacity, especially in North American HVAC.

What is a kilowatt?

One kilowatt equals exactly 1,000 watts. Larger motors, EV charging speeds, home solar arrays, and HVAC systems.

How to convert ton of refrigeration to kilowatt

To convert a value from ton of refrigeration (ton) to kilowatt (kW), apply the conversion factor shown in the formula above. The calculation is the same whether you do it by hand, in a spreadsheet, or with the live converter on this page.

Steps:

1. Take your input value in ton.
2. Apply the formula kW = ton × 3.51685.
3. The result is your value in kW.

For repeated calculations, save the formula in a spreadsheet or use the live converter at the top of this page — it handles the math automatically and displays the result as you type.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert ton to kW?

Apply the formula ton → kW shown above, or just type your value into the converter at the top of this page. The result updates instantly.

Which is bigger, ton or kW?

This depends on the conversion ratio in the formula. If the factor multiplied by your value gives a larger number, then kW is the smaller unit (so it takes more of them to express the same quantity). If the result is smaller, then kW is the larger unit.

When would I use ton versus kW?

Both units measure power, so the choice depends on context. Ton of refrigeration is typically used for engines, electrical loads, and HVAC equipment; kilowatt similarly. Most professional fields standardize on one or the other based on regional conventions or technical tradition.

How precise is this ton to kW conversion?

The conversion factor shown is the internationally defined exact value (or the best-published approximation if the relationship is irrational, like degrees-to-radians). The live converter on this page uses double-precision floating-point math, accurate to about 15 significant digits — far beyond any practical engineering need.

Is the conversion ratio exact, or an approximation?

Most unit conversions between SI metric units, and between SI and US customary units, have been formally defined as exact values since the 1959 international yard-pound agreement and subsequent SI redefinitions. Exceptions are unit pairs that involve irrational numbers (radians, e.g.) or empirical conversions (like food calories, which depend on temperature). When in doubt, consult the formula at the top of this page.

Related conversions

See also