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The Air Purifier Guide

CADR Calculator for Large Rooms & Open Plan

Find the minimum Clean Air Delivery Rate for your room.

Large rooms and open-plan spaces are the hardest to air-purify effectively. The challenge is simple: more air volume means more CADR needed, and open spaces constantly mix with air from hallways, kitchens, and other connected areas.

The AHAM 2/3 rule states your purifier's CADR should be at least 2/3 of your room area in square feet. But for open-plan spaces, you must calculate the total connected area — not just the room you're placing the purifier in.

For rooms above 400 sq ft, consider two smaller purifiers placed at opposite ends instead of one large unit. This provides more even air coverage and prevents dead zones where pollutants accumulate.

ACH: 5
Minimum CADR Required
240
CFM
Room: 180 sq ft · Vol: 1,440 cu ft
Dust CADR
240
CFM
Pollen CADR
240
CFM
Smoke CADR
240
CFM
🏠 Your room, to scale (top view)
180 ft² Purifier
15 ft × 12 ft floor plan · purifier placed in a corner
Filters all the air in your room per hour — about once every 15 min.
That's roughly a 17 m² bedroom-sized space.

📐 How CADR Is Calculated

Formula: CADR = (Sq Ft × Ceiling × ACH) ÷ 60

AHAM recommends ≥ 4.8 ACH. Allergies: 6 ACH. Smoke/Asthma: 8 ACH.

Recommended Air Purifiers

Based on 240 CFM minimum Smoke CADR:

✅ Next steps
Aim for an air purifier rated at least 240 CFM (smoke CADR 216 CFM) for this room.

💡 Tips for Large Room

📚 Related Guides

← Back to the main CADR Calculator