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Thermal Resistance Converter

Convert area-normalized thermal resistance between m²·K/W, cm²·K/W, m²·K/kW, and ft²·°F·h per Btu.

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Enter a value and choose the units. Your answer updates as you type.

Result

10000 Square centimeter kelvin per watt (cm²·K/W)

Quick reference
  • Square meter kelvin per watt (m²·K/W)1 base units
  • Square centimeter kelvin per watt (cm²·K/W)0.0001 base units
  • Square meter kelvin per kilowatt (m²·K/kW)0.001 base units
  • Square foot degree Fahrenheit hour per Btu (ft²·°F·h/Btu)0.17611018368230588 base units
  • Square foot kelvin per watt (ft²·K/W)0.09290304 base units

About the Thermal Resistance Converter

This page converts area-normalized thermal resistance, the form used for insulation and layered building assemblies. Its SI base is m²·K/W; it is distinct from a lumped component resistance in K/W because the area remains part of the unit. One US-style insulation R-value of 1 ft²·°F·h/Btu is approximately 0.17611 m²·K/W using the International Table BTU.

Convert a material or wall specification instantly—for example, R-20 in the listed ft²·°F·h/Btu convention is about 3.5222 m²·K/W. Use the Thermal Conductivity Converter to convert a material property, or the Heat Transfer Coefficient Converter for a surface film coefficient.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a lumped K/W resistance?

No. Every unit on this page is area-normalized, such as m²·K/W or ft²·°F·h/Btu; a component's K/W value also depends on its area.

How does R-20 convert to SI?

Using the stated area-normalized units, R-20 is approximately 3.5222 m²·K/W.

What is the relationship to conductivity?

For a uniform layer, area-normalized resistance is thickness divided by thermal conductivity: R'' = L/k.

Take this calculation further

Browse the converters calculators collection for more tools in this subject.

For a related calculation, use Thermal Conductivity Converter to convert thermal conductivity between W/(m·K), mW/(m·K), W/(cm·K), kcal/(h·m·°C), and International Btu/(h·ft·°F). Alternatively, use Thermal Expansion Converter to convert coefficients of thermal expansion between 1/K, 1/°C, 1/°F, microstrain/K, and microstrain/°F.

For the underlying method, read A Practical Guide to Thermal Conductivity and Insulation.