Work out compressed air consumption instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Nameplate tool consumption assumes continuous operation, which almost never happens, so demand is the sum of tool ratings scaled by duty cycle. Leakage is then added as a percentage because even a well maintained plant loses 10-20 percent of its output through fittings and hoses, and the compressor is specified with 25 percent headroom.
Air demand
SCFM = tool SCFM x tool count x duty cycle x (1 + leakage)
Compressor size
Capacity = demand x 1.25
SCFM = tool SCFM x tool count x duty cycle x (1 + leakage). Nameplate tool consumption assumes continuous operation, which almost never happens, so demand is the sum of tool ratings scaled by duty cycle.
A quarter-inch leak at 100 psi passes about 100 SCFM, which needs roughly 25 hp to replace. Leak surveys usually pay back in weeks.
This calculator takes 4 inputs: Air consumption per tool, Number of tools, Average duty cycle, System leakage allowance. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.