Ceiling fan CFM is 1870 to more than 8000 CFM based on fan size and the power of the motor.
The average ceiling fan CFM is 2000 to 5500 for the most popular sizes found in most homes.
What’s on this page? The detailed information gathered from research data from 500 ceiling fans shows the CFM for different fan sizes from smallest to largest, ceiling fan CFM for the most popular sizes plus highest CFM ceiling fan using data from indoor and outdoor models.
CFM of Different Ceiling Fan Sizes
It is almost always true that the larger the fan size, the higher the CFM.
The exceptions are some small ceiling fans with high-powered motors designed to produce high CFM airflow relative to their size. They often have wider blades than normal or are shaped to push more air. And they may spin at a higher RPM than standard ceiling fans.
Once you consider fans larger than about 24”, the CFM generally gets higher, though the Ceiling Fan CFM Chart below shows that there are exceptions.
Fan Size | Average Airflow (CFM) |
18″ | 1870 CFM |
20″ | 1750 CFM |
21″ | 1050 CFM |
22″ | 1680 CFM |
23″ | 1270 CFM |
24″ | 1300 CFM |
25″ | 1940 CFM |
29″ | 1470 CFM |
30″ | 1930 CFM |
36″ | 2460 CFM |
42″ | 2420 CFM |
44″ | 3550 CFM |
46″ | 3630 CFM |
48″ | 3620 CFM |
52″ | 4230 CFM |
54″ | 4700 CFM |
56″ | 5440 CFM |
60″ | 6770 CFM |
62″ | 6480 CFM |
64″ | 7940 CFM |
65″ | 8910 CFM |
66″ | 8740 CFM |
68″ | 10430 CFM |
70″ | 7110 CFM |
72″ | 8400 CFM |
80″ | 7740 CFM |
84″ | 10990 CFM |
88″ | 10100 CFM |
Note: This data is based on 500 popular ceiling fans available for sale from Home Depot.
This data, from 500 models, covers all popular brands including Hunter, Hampton Bay, Monte Carlo, Minka-Aire, Atlas, Home Decorators Collection and many more.
Both indoor fans indoor/outdoor fans are included in the research.
Tips:
*Fan Size is the diameter of the fan. To determine fan size, measure the distance from the center of the fan to the end of a blade, and multiply by two. This method works for fans with an odd and even number of blades.
*CFM is cubic feet per minute of air flow. A cubic foot is, of course, 1’x1’x1’ – a one-foot cube.
Most Common Ceiling Fan Sizes and CFM
The Fan Size & CFM Chart shows all common ceiling fan sizes. The most popular fan sizes are 42”, 44”, 48”, 52”, 60” and 72” fans. You’ll likely find the best selection in those popular ceiling fan sizes.
Fan Size | Average Airflow (CFM) |
22″ | 1400 CFM |
42″ | 3120 CFM |
44″ | 3500 CFM |
46″ | 2640 CFM |
48″ | 4440 CFM |
52″ | 4050 CFM |
54″ | 4230 CFM |
56″ | 5190 CFM |
60″ | 10000 CFM |
72″ | 10590 CFM |
Note: This data is based on 500 popular ceiling fans for sale from Home Depot.
Tip on fan size: Keep in mind that the right fan size isn’t always a larger fan. In small rooms, a fan that is too large will stir too much air. It will be noisy, disrupt papers and might prevent comfortable resting or sleeping.
- Small rooms up to 12×12: Up to 42” fans
- Rooms 12×12 to 15×15 rooms: 42” to 44” fans
- 15×16 to 20×20 rooms: 44” to 54” fans
- 16×24 to 24×24 rooms: 54” to 62” fans
Tips:
*To ensure proper air circulation, ceiling fan blades should be at least 18” from any wall, and 24” is preferred.
*Rooms longer than 24” might need two fans centrally positioned around the room, or on each side of the room, to produce the level of air flow you prefer.
*How much is 4000 CFM? 4000 cubic feet per minute is the equivalent of a room 20×25 with 8-foot ceilings.
Highest CFM Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan (Greater than 10,000 CFM)
10,000 CFM is a lot of air. It is the equivalent of all the air in a room 20’x50’ with a 10’ ceiling.
Most high-velocity ceiling fans are too big for residential indoor settings, though they are a good fit for many commercial spaces.
However, outdoor ceiling fan sizing is a whole different issue. Outdoor settings can be much warmer and a lot more humid than indoor settings. Wind outdoors plays a factor too.
So having a high airflow ceiling fan, like one of the highest CFM indoor/outdoor ceiling fans on the list makes excellent sense. High CFM indoor/outdoor fans are a good fit for a porch or patio.
For most 10,000 CFM ceiling fans – or those with higher CFM, the volume of airflow is achieved with a combination of larger blades and a powerful motor driving them.
Brand | Mode | Ceiling Fan Size | Ceiling Fan CFM |
Home Decorators Collection | AM590B-MBK | 120″ | 25000 CFM |
Home Decorators Collection | AM613A-BN | 84″ | 13000 CFM |
Home Decorators Collection | 99981 | 68″ | 12420 CFM |
MINKA-AIRE | F896-84-ORB | 84″ | 11157 CFM |
Modern Forms | FR-W2101-72L-SS | 72″ | 10890 CFM |
Home Decorators Collection | 68004 | 68″ | 10770 CFM |
Home Decorators Collection | YG493E-MBK | 72″ | 10590 CFM |
FANIMATION | FPD8159DZW | 84″ | 10236 CFM |
Generation Lighting | 3MAVR88BK | 88″ | 10100 CFM |
Progress Lighting | P250030-031 | 96″ | 10080 CFM |
Parrot Uncle | BBHTD21117A | 72″ | 10040 CFM |
Hampton Bay | 26829 | 60″ | 10000 CFM |
Note: This data is based on 500 popular ceiling fans for sale from Home Depot.
Most of the highest CFM ceiling fans on the list can be installed outdoors as well as inside your home. However, there are a couple of high airflow fans on the list that are indoor-only units. Here is the list.
- Home Decorators Collection AM590B-MBK: Indoor/Outdoor fan
- Home Decorators Collection AM613A-BN: Indoor fan
- Home Decorators Collection 99981: Indoor fan
- Minke-Aire F896-84-ORB: Indoor/Outdoor fan
- Modern Forms FR-W2101-72L-SS: Indoor/Outdoor fan
- Home Decorators Collection 68004: Indoor fan
- Home Decorators Collection YG493E-MBK: Indoor/Outdoor fan
- Fanimation FPD8159DZW: Indoor/Outdoor fan
- Generation Lighting 3MAVR88BK: Indoor/Outdoor fan
- Progress Lighting P250030-031: Indoor/Outdoor fan
- Parrot Uncle BBHTD21117A: Indoor/Outdoor fan
- Hampton Bay 26829: Indoor/Outdoor fan
Does a high CFM ceiling fan use more power?
Not always. Some fans with a high airflow volume are Energy Star certified. This means that independent testing shows that they use less electricity than many fans of the same size.
The fans you consider should have an energy label showing typical hours of use and what they cost to run per year.
And if the fan is Energy Star certified, that should be listed on the box or on the online information page where you are shopping.
Should a ceiling fan turn clockwise or counterclockwise?
The fan should turn clockwise in winter and counterclockwise in summer.
Rotating clockwise in winter, the fan doesn’t create an unwelcome breeze on those below. Instead, it pushes the warm air that has risen to the ceiling back down to the floor. It does this by drawing air upwards, moving it to the walls and back down to where people are sitting, standing and sleeping.
Rotating counterclockwise in summer, the fan does supply a breeze. Moving air on warm skin evaporates perspiration and cools the skin. As a result, you can set your home’s thermostat a little higher and still feel just as comfortable.
Do ceiling fans with more blades have higher CFM?
Yes, they usually do. But this is not always true. For example, a 3-blade fan might move as much or more air than a 5-blade fan if its blades are wider and shaped to move more air.