Air Compressor CFM Calculator

Find the required CFM for your air compressor. Enter your tool requirements and usage to determine the best CFM for your needs.

Tool and Usage Details

The CFM requirement of your air tool
The number of tools you plan to use simultaneously
The percentage of time the tool will be in use

List of the Best Air Compressor:

# Image Product Link
1 CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free with 13 Piece Accessory Kit (CMEC6150K) CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free with 13 Piece Accessory Kit (CMEC6150K) View on Amazon
2 DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, 165 PSI (DWFP55126) DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, 165 PSI (DWFP55126) View on Amazon
3 Klutch Portable Air Compressor, Workshop Air Compressor With Oil-Less Pump, 2 HP Motor, Thermal Overload Protection, Rubber Foot Stabilizers, 20 Gallon Garage Air Compressor Klutch Portable Air Compressor, Workshop Air Compressor With Oil-Less Pump, 2 HP Motor, Thermal Overload Protection, Rubber Foot Stabilizers, 20 Gallon Garage Air Compressor View on Amazon
4 AstroAI Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor Tire Air Pump for Car Tires - Car Accessories, 12V DC Auto Pump with Digital Pressure Gauge, Emergency LED Light for Bicycle, Balloons, Yellow AstroAI Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor Tire Air Pump for Car Tires - Car Accessories, 12V DC Auto Pump with Digital Pressure Gauge, Emergency LED Light for Bicycle, Balloons, Yellow View on Amazon
5 California Air Tools 8010 1.0 HP Ultra Quiet and Oil-Free Air Compressor, 8 Gallon Steel Tank, Lightweight with Wheels, 60 dBA Noise Level California Air Tools 8010 1.0 HP Ultra Quiet and Oil-Free Air Compressor, 8 Gallon Steel Tank, Lightweight with Wheels, 60 dBA Noise Level View on Amazon
6 DEWALT 20V MAX Tire Inflator, Compact and Portable, Automatic Shut Off, LED Light, Bare Tool Only (DCC020IB) DEWALT 20V MAX Tire Inflator, Compact and Portable, Automatic Shut Off, LED Light, Bare Tool Only (DCC020IB) View on Amazon
7 PORTER-CABLE Air Compressor, 6-Gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free (C2002-ECOM) PORTER-CABLE Air Compressor, 6-Gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free (C2002-ECOM) View on Amazon
8 WEN Air Compressor, 6-Gallon, Oil-Free, Pancake Style (AP6092) WEN Air Compressor, 6-Gallon, Oil-Free, Pancake Style (AP6092) View on Amazon
9 KZKB Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor, 160 PSI Air Pump for Car Tires with Digital Pressure Gauge, Electric Bike Pump with LED Light Portable Tire Inflator for Car, Motorcycle, Bike, Ball KZKB Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor, 160 PSI Air Pump for Car Tires with Digital Pressure Gauge, Electric Bike Pump with LED Light Portable Tire Inflator for Car, Motorcycle, Bike, Ball View on Amazon
10 VEVOR 6.3 Gallon Air Compressor, 2 HP 3.35 CFM@ 90PSI Oil Free Air Compressor Tank & Max. 116PSI Pressure, 70 dB Quiet Compressor for Auto Repair, Tire Inflation, Spray Painting, Woodwork Nailing VEVOR 6.3 Gallon Air Compressor, 2 HP 3.35 CFM@ 90PSI Oil Free Air Compressor Tank & Max. 116PSI Pressure, 70 dB Quiet Compressor for Auto Repair, Tire Inflation, Spray Painting, Woodwork Nailing View on Amazon

Understanding Air Compressor CFM

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is a measure of the airflow capacity of an air compressor. Choosing the right CFM is essential for ensuring your tools operate efficiently and effectively.

How to Calculate Required CFM

The required CFM depends on the CFM requirements of your tools, the number of tools you plan to use simultaneously, and the usage factor. Here's the formula:

Parameter Formula Description
Total CFM Tool CFM × Number of Tools Total CFM for all tools
Adjusted CFM Total CFM × (Usage Factor ÷ 100) CFM adjusted for usage percentage

Common CFM Requirements

Here are some typical CFM requirements for common air tools:

Tool CFM Requirement
Air Ratchet 2.5 - 5 CFM
Impact Wrench 4 - 10 CFM
Spray Gun 5 - 15 CFM
Air Sander 6 - 20 CFM
Air Drill 3 - 8 CFM

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my compressor's CFM is too low?

If your compressor's CFM is too low, your tools may not operate efficiently, and the compressor may overheat or fail to keep up with demand.

How do I find the CFM requirement of my tools?

Check the tool's user manual or specifications label. Most tools list their CFM requirements.

Can I use multiple tools with one compressor?

Yes, but ensure the compressor's CFM rating meets or exceeds the combined CFM requirements of all tools used simultaneously.

What is the usage factor?

The usage factor is the percentage of time the tool will be in use. For example, if a tool is used 50% of the time, the usage factor is 50%.