A large ceiling fan in a small room will create an uncomfortable amount of airflow. Unless you like replacing your ceiling fan every few months or feeling as if you're in a tornado, choose a ceiling fan that is proportionate to the room size.
As a general guide: Small bedrooms (up to 75 square feet) can benefit from 29-36 inches fans. Medium bedrooms (76-144 square feet) find comfort with fans between 36 and 42 inches. Larger bedrooms (145-225 square feet) can accommodate fans up to 50 inches for optimal airflow.
If you install a fan that's too small for your room, it won't circulate air effectively to make the room feel cool. Alternatively, installing a ceiling fan that's too large for your room could overpower the space.
Long story short, if the fan is too large, it won't have adequate makeup air, which leads to increased static pressure, reduced air movement and lots of noise. But smaller fans are generally less efficient.
For rooms of up to 75 square feet, look for ceiling fans that are between 29 to 36 inches. For rooms from 75 to 175 square feet, look for ceiling fans that are between 42 to 48 inches. For rooms from 175 to 350 square feet, look for ceiling fans that are between 52 to 56 inches.
Ceiling Fan Sizes by Room
Small: Rooms that are no more than 8' x 10' should have ceiling fan sizes between 21" and 40" in diameter. Small rooms include dens and kitchen nooks. Medium: If your room is up to 12' x 14', stick with a fan that is 42" – 54" in diameter.
The larger the blade span of a fan, the more space from the tips of the blades to objects such as angled ceilings and walls is needed. Ideally, a 72 inch fan should have at least 24 inches from the tips of the blades to the nearest slope of an angled ceiling, and preferably 36' to the nearest wall.
For rooms up to 12' x 12'
Use 42" - 48" ceiling fans.
Large Shop Ceiling Fans vs.
Small high-speed fans may feel nice and cool when you stand below them, but they dissipate air quickly and have more friction between moving air and stationary air. Therefore, small fans simply can not create the same cooling effect as large ceiling fans.
Larger blades and steeper pitches can increase airflow but may consume more energy. When selecting a fan based on the provided sizing guidelines, keep in mind that the blade size is typically proportional to the overall fan size, and the pitch is the angle at which the blades are tilted.
Great rooms
Over 400 square feet work well with large ceiling fans 56 inches or larger. Large diameter ceiling fans are ideal for open-concept living areas or lofts with ample space.
Up to 75 square feet: 29–36 inches. 76–144 square feet: 36–42 inches. 144–225 square feet: 44–50 inches. 225–400 square feet: 50–54 inches.
You just need to choose the right fan - a compact, flush-mounted model. Of course, higher ceilings will allow a drop for a greater return of air, which makes for more efficient cooling. 10-12 inches lower than ceiling height is generally recommended.
A large ceiling fan in a small room will create an uncomfortable amount of airflow. Unless you like replacing your ceiling fan every few months or feeling as if you're in a tornado, choose a ceiling fan that is proportionate to the room size.
How many square feet is a 12x12 room? To measure square footage, multiply the length and width of the room in feet. In the case of a 12x12 room, simply multiply 12 by 12, resulting in 144 square feet.
Remember, a well-designed 3-blade fan can deliver impressive airflow, while a 5-blade fan with a less powerful motor might be quieter or more efficient. More blades aren't necessarily better.
Getting the right ceiling fan size is important since these appliances move a certain volume of air. For example, the average 44” ceiling fan moves 2,600-3,700 cubic feet of air each minute. If you put a fan of this size in a small room, you end up with air-moving capacity necessary for smaller sized living spaces.
A ceiling fan that's too big will overpower the room's design and visually pull the ceiling downwards; a fan that's too small won't properly circulate the air. Follow these ceiling fan size guidelines for the right proportions.
What size ceiling fan do I need for a 12x12 room? A 12x12 room would have an area of 144 square feet, which means you'll need a large ceiling fan between 36 and 50 inches. For more help, see "Choose the Right Ceiling Fan for Your Space" above.
But if it's too close to the ceiling, it might start wobbling, making noise, and not blowing air as well.