Is the Kitchen Hood CFM Calculator free to use?

Yes. The Kitchen Hood CFM Calculator is a free browser-based planning calculator from I Love MEP.

Can the Kitchen Hood CFM Calculator be used for final engineering design?

No. The result is for planning, tender review, and coordination support. Final design must be checked by a qualified engineer against project specifications, authority requirements, and applicable standards.

Does the PDF report replace approved design calculations?

No. The PDF report records inputs, assumptions, warnings, and planning results. It should be reviewed before any construction, procurement, or authority submission decision.

Kitchen Hood CFM Calculator

Kitchen hood CFM calculator for commercial kitchen exhaust planning. Estimate hood airflow from hood size, capture velocity, exposure, and design margin.

Last updated: July 27, 2026

Inputs

Forms are empty on load. Use sample data to preview the workflow or enter your own project values.

Learn more

Formula logic, assumptions, limits, and worked-use guidance for this calculator.

How this tool helps

Use this for early commercial kitchen exhaust checks before detailed hood manufacturer selection. The profile applies conservative planning floors to very low capture velocity inputs.

Calculation methodology

Airflow = hood plan area x capture velocity x exposure factor x design margin, with metric area converted to square feet.

View full methodology notes

Assumptions and limits

This is a planning-level calculator. Final decisions should be checked against approved project standards, local authority requirements, manufacturer data, and qualified engineering review.

Version history

v1.3.7-prelaunch: Added for kitchen hood CFM and commercial kitchen exhaust keyword demand.

Input definitions and typical values

These notes explain what each input means and which values usually produce a more reliable planning result.

Code / standard profile

Selects the planning profile used for conservative defaults. Use the project authority or client standard where known; otherwise use the closest regional profile. Options: GCC project planning, ASHRAE planning, NFPA planning.

Hood length m

Measured length of the route, room, pipe, duct, or cable run. Use the actual equivalent length including bends, fittings, or route offsets where applicable.

Hood depth m

Project input used directly in the calculation. Use measured, scheduled, manufacturer, or authority-approved values where available.

Capture velocity fpm

Project input used directly in the calculation. Use measured, scheduled, manufacturer, or authority-approved values where available.

Exposure factor %

Percentage adjustment used for diversity, derating, margin, reserve, or contingency. Use project-specific assumptions where available.

Design margin %

Design safety margin. 5-15% is common for planning; excessive margin can oversize equipment, cables, pumps, or tanks.

Practical verification checklist

Confirm the selected standard profile is suitable for the project location and authority.
Replace sample values with project drawings, schedules, equipment data, or measured site values.
Review warnings, methodology, and PDF report before using the result outside early planning.
Verify final decisions against official standards, manufacturer data, consultant specifications, and local approvals.

Standards references for verification

For final design checks, verify calculator assumptions against the project documents and official standards bodies such as ASHRAE, NFPA, IEC, IET BS 7671, ICC, and CIBSE.