Use the chart below to find your air purifier size by room square footage and concern level. A 300 sq ft bedroom with normal concern needs a CADR 200 smoke/dust rating; for allergies or smoke, target CADR equal to the full room size. All recommendations follow the AHAM AC-1 standard. Need an exact number? Use our free calculator for a custom CADR in 60 seconds.
Air Purifier Sizing Table: Minimum CADR by Square Footage & Concern
Room Size
Normal Concern AHAM 2/3 rule
Allergies or Pets 1:1 CADR
Smoke / Wildfire Highest smoke CADR
100 sq ft
CADR 65
CADR 100
CADR 100+
200 sq ft
CADR 130
CADR 200
CADR 200+
300 sq ft
CADR 200
CADR 300
CADR 300+
400 sq ft
CADR 265
CADR 400
CADR 400+
500 sq ft
CADR 330
CADR 500
CADR 500+
600 sq ft
CADR 400
CADR 600
CADR 600+
800 sq ft
CADR 530
CADR 800+
CADR 800+
1,000 sq ft
CADR 665
CADR 1,000+
CADR 1,000+
How to read: Find your room’s sq ft on the left. Pick the column that matches your concern. The cell gives the minimum AHAM-verified CADR. Allergies / pets uses the 1:1 rule (CADR ≥ room sq ft) for 4.8+ ACH. Smoke / wildfire uses the highest published smoke CADR rating. Color key: green = standard sizing, amber = upgrade, orange = high-output, red = whole-home or commercial unit.
Adjustments: When to Increase CADR
High Ceilings
For ceilings over 8 ft, add 5% per extra foot. A 10-ft ceiling needs about 10% more CADR.
Open Floor Plan
Use the total connected area (e.g., living + dining + kitchen as one), not individual room sq ft.
Heavy Smoking or Cooking
Add 50% to smoke CADR. Cigarette smoke, gas stoves, and wood fireplaces are the hardest particles to clear.
Example: 400 sq ft bedroom, 10-ft ceilings, mild pet dander = 265 (base) × 1.10 (ceiling) = ~290 CADR, rounded to CADR 300.
CADR Coverage: Small vs Medium vs Large vs Whole-Home
Feature
Small (100-200 sq ft)
Medium (300-500 sq ft)
Large (600-800 sq ft)
Whole-Home (1,000+ sq ft)
Min CADR (smoke)
65–130
200–330
400–530
665+
Typical Power Draw
20–50W
40–80W
60–120W
100–200W
Noise Level
25–45 dB
30–55 dB
40–60 dB
50–70 dB
Filter Life (HEPA)
6–12 months
6–12 months
9–15 months
12–18 months
Price Range
$60–$200
$150–$500
$300–$900
$700–$2,500
Best For
Bedrooms, offices
Living rooms, nurseries
Open floor plans, basements
Whole-house, asthma sufferers
CADR vs ACH: What's the Difference?
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) measures how much clean air a purifier delivers per minute, in cubic feet per minute (CFM), tested against three particle types: smoke, dust, and pollen. ACH (Air Changes per Hour) is the result of how many times the room's air volume is fully filtered per hour. To convert: ACH = (CADR × 60) ÷ room volume in cubic feet. 5 ACH is the EPA-recommended minimum for allergy and asthma sufferers; 4.8 ACH matches the AHAM guidance for sensitive groups.
Normal (general air quality)
3-4 ACH is sufficient. Matches the AHAM 2/3 rule (CADR = 2/3 of room sq ft).
Allergies, asthma, smoke
4.8-6+ ACH required. Uses the 1:1 rule (CADR = full room sq ft). See our CADR vs ACH guide for the full math.
Air Purifier Sizing FAQ
How do I use this air purifier sizes chart?
Find your room's square footage in the left column. Pick the concern column that matches your situation: normal (general air quality), allergies or pets (CADR equal to room sq ft), or smoke/wildfire (highest smoke CADR). The intersecting cell gives the minimum CADR. Then apply adjustments: +5% per foot of ceiling above 8 ft, and for open floor plans, use the total connected area.
What CADR is good for allergies?
For allergies and asthma, target a CADR that delivers 4.8+ ACH (air changes per hour) for your room. This typically means a CADR equal to your room's full square footage (not just 2/3). Look for purifiers with separate dust, pollen, and smoke CADR scores — the pollen CADR matters most for seasonal allergies.
What size air purifier for a 500 sq ft room?
A 500 sq ft room with normal concern needs a CADR 330 purifier (per the chart above: 500 × 0.67). For allergies or pets, upgrade to CADR 500. For smoke or wildfire season, target CADR 500+ from a unit with a verified smoke CADR rating on the AHAM directory.
Does ceiling height affect air purifier sizing?
Yes. A room with 10-ft ceilings contains about 25% more air volume than the same floor area with 8-ft ceilings. Add 5% to the CADR requirement per extra foot above 8 ft. For a 400 sq ft room with 10-ft ceilings: 265 base × 1.10 = ~290 CADR, round up to CADR 300.
Need an Exact CADR Recommendation?
Our free calculator factors in ceiling height, concern level, and room type for a custom CADR in 60 seconds.
Each pick is matched to its AHAM CADR room rating. We verify specs against manufacturer data and sort by value — never by commission. Read our product policy.
Best for Small Rooms — up to 300 sq ft
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LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Bedroom Home Dorm, AHAM VERIFIDE, 3-in-1 Filter Cleaner With Aroma Pad, Filters Smoke, Allergens, Pet Dander, Odor, Dust, Office, Desktop, Core Mini-P, Black #ad
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Medify MA-25 Air Purifier with True HEPA H13 Filter | 251.5 m² Coverage in 1hr for Allergens, Smoke, Wildfires, Odors, Pollen, Pet Dander | Quiet 99.9% Removal to 0.1 Microns | White, 1-Pack #ad
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Bedroom Dorm Room, Smart & Voice Control, AHAM VERIFIDE, 3-in-1 Filter With HEPA Sleep Mode, for Pollen, Pollutants, Smoke, Dander, Dust, Core 200S-P, White #ad
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GermGuardian HEPA Large Room Air Purifier for Bedroom, Office, Dorm, and Home - Filters Pet Dander, Dust, Pollen, Smoke, Scents - Air Quality Monitor - AC4880B - 22" Tower - Black #ad
Dyson Hushjet Compact Purifier, Engineered for Powerful, Whisper-quiet, Whole-room Air Purification, Homes with Pets, Allergies, Fully-sealed filtration, 5-year no change filter (White/Silver) #ad
SHARP Air Purifier and Humidifier. Plasmacluster Ion Technology and Triple Filtration, including True HEPA Filter. Covers up to 1,650 sq. ft. for Large Rooms, for Dust, Smoke, and Pollen. KC860U #ad
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GermGuardian 5-In-1 HEPA Air Purifier for Home, Large Rooms Up To 915 Sq. Ft. with HEPA Pet Air Filter, UV-C Light & Odor Reduction, AC5250PT, 28" Tower, Gray #ad
GermGuardian Air Purifier for Home with HEPA Pure Filter, for Wildfire Smoke, Pet Dander, Pollen, Odors, Large Rooms Up To 870 Sq. Ft., Removes 99.97% Pollutants, UV-C Light, 28", AC5350B, Black #ad
Coway Airmega 400S App-Enabled Smart Air Purifier (Covers 1,560 sq. ft.), True HEPA Air Purifier with Smart Technology, Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, White (111012) #ad
COWAY Air Purifier for Large Room Whole Home Up to 3,120ft², HEPA Filter for Smoke, Allergies, Pet Dander, Odor, App-Enabled, AQI, Smart Mode, Timer, 5yr Warranty, Airmega 400S Graphite #ad
Okaysou AirMax8L 19.4” 5-in-1 Large Room Air Purifier for Home, True HEPA Filter, Air Cleaner for Smokers, Pets, Eliminates Dust, Mold, Odor, VOCs, with Double Filtration System #ad
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies Pet Hair in Bedroom, Covers Up to 1073 ft² by 56W High Torque Motor, AHAM VERIFIDE, 3-in-1 Filter with HEPA Sleep Mode, Remove Dust Smoke Odor, Core300-P, White #ad
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies Pet Hair in Bedroom, Covers Up to 1073 ft² by 56W High Torque Motor, AHAM VERIFIDE, 3-in-1 Filter with HEPA Sleep Mode, Remove Dust Smoke Odor, Core300-P, Black #ad
COWAY Air Purifiers for Home Large Room Up to 1,860 ft², Washable Pre-Filter and HEPA Filter for Smoke, Allergies, Pet Dander, Odor, AQI, Smart & Rapid Mode, Timer, 3yr Warranty, Airmega 250 #ad
WINIX A230 Air Purifier for Bedroom Up to 1110 Ft² in 1 Hr With Air Quality Monitor, True HEPA, Carbon Filter and Auto Mode, Captures Pet Allergies, Smoke, Dust #ad
BLUEAIR Blue Pure 511i Max Smart Air Purifier for Bedroom & Small Rooms up to 1,138 Sq Ft, HEPASilent Air Cleaner for Pets, Allergies, Smoke & Dust, Quiet WiFi Air Purifier with Auto Mode #ad
Blueair 2-in-1 Pro Air Purifier & Humidifier for Large Rooms, HEPASilent™ Removes 99.97% Allergens, Dust, Smoke, Up to 1,875 sq ft, Smart App, Skin-Hydration Mode, 360° InvisibleMist™ #ad
BLUEAIR Blue Signature Air Purifier for Large Rooms up to 3,385 Sq Ft, HEPASilent Filtration for Smoke, Dust, Pet Dander & Allergens, Smart WiFi Air Cleaner with Auto Mode, Quiet Air Purifier for Home #ad
COWAY Air Purifiers for Home Up to 1,748 ft², HEPA Filter for Smoke, Allergies, Pet Dander, Odor, Air Quality Monitor, Auto & Eco Mode, Timer, Filter Indicator, 3yr Warranty, Airmega 200M White #ad
Afloia Air Purifiers for Home Bedroom Large Room Up to 1076 Ft², 3-Stage Filter Cleaner Odor Eliminator, Remove Pets Dust Dander Hair Allergy Mold Pollen Smoke Smell, Quiet 22 dB, 7 Colors Night Light #ad
LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home Large Room Up to 1733 Ft² With HEPA Sleep Mode, AHAM VERIFIDE, Auto Mode, Air Quality Monitor, Smart WiFi, 3-in-1 Filter For Pet Allergy, Smoke, Dust, Core 400S-P, White #ad
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PuroAir 400 HEPA Air Purifier Large Room Air Cleaner up to 2,000 Ft² - HEPA CarbonTech Filter up to 500X Stronger - Air Quality Sensor, Auto & Quiet Sleep Modes - Air Purifiers for Large Rooms #ad
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COWAY Air Purifiers for Home up to 810 ft², HEPA and Carbon Filter for Smoke, Allergies, Pet Dander, Odor, AQI Monitor, Auto Mode, Timer, Filter Indicator, Night Light, 2yr Warranty, Airmega 100 White #ad
Afloia Air Purifier for Large Rooms Up to 2,000 Sq. Ft. with PM2.5 Display | Smart Auto Mode, 4-Stage Filter, Washable Pre-Filter, Ideal for Bedrooms, Helps Capture Pet Dander, Pollen, Dust, And Smoke #ad
Air Purifier for Home Bedroom Large Room 2200 Ft², MOOKA H13 HEPA Air Cleaner with Washable Pre-filter, Air Quality Monitor, Air Purifiers for Pets Hair Smoke Pollen, Auto Mode, KJ190H White #ad
IQAir HealthPro Plus XE Air Purifier - Smart HyperHEPA Filtration for Large Rooms up to 1125 sq ft - Smoke, Viruses, Allergens, Asthma, Mold, Dust, Pets, Swiss Made, WiFi Enabled #ad
WINIX 5510 Air Purifier (New Generation of 5500-2 with App Support) for Home Large Room Up to 1881 Ft² in 1 Hr, True HEPA, High Deodorization Carbon Filter and Auto Mode, Captures Pet Allergies, Smoke #ad
Air Purifiers for Home with High Efficiency Filter Up to 1076 Ft² for Pet Hair, Odors, Pollen, Smoke, Compact Air Cleaner with 3 Speeds, Timer, Aroma Quiet 360°Intake Filter, White #ad
Afloia Air Purifiers for Home Bedroom Large Room Up to 1076 Ft², 3-Stage Filter Cleaner Odor Eliminator, Remove Pets Dust Dander Hair Allergy Mold Pollen Smoke Smell, Quiet 22 dB, 7 Colors Night Light #ad
Afloia Air Purifier for Home Bedroom Up to 1076 ft², 4 Stage Filter with Washable Pre Filter for Pets, Quiet Operation, Removes Pet Dander, Hair, Pollen, Dust, Mold, Allergies and Smoke, Pluto White #ad
GermGuardian AirSafe+ XL Smart Air Purifier for Bedroom and Home - WiFi and App Enabled - 360-Degree True HEPA Filter - Filters Pet Dander, Dust, Smoke - Air Quality Monitor - AP3250 - Gray & White #ad
Honeywell Allergen Plus Compact Small Room HEPA Air Purifiers for Home, Up to 530 Ft² Coverage, 3-in-1 Filter, Pet Dander, Smoke & Odor Reducer Air Quality Sensor with Auto Mode, Black, HPA125B #ad
KNKA Air Purifier for Home Bedroom Large Room Up to 1,695 Ft² in 1 Hr, HEPA Sleep Mode Air Cleaner with Washable Pre-Filter, AHAM VERIFIDE, AQI Display, Pet Mode for Pets, Dust, Pollen, APH4000 #ad
Air Purifiers for Home up to 2200 Ft² Large Room, H13 Hepa Air Purifier with PM2.5 Air Quality Monitor Display, Air Cleaner Filter Smoke, Pet Dander, Dust, Odor, Pollen for Office, Bedroom, Allergies #ad
Air Purifiers for Home Large Room up to 3000sq.ft with Washable Filters, PM2.5 Air Quality Sensors, H13 HEPA Double-Sided 8X, Air Cleaner for Bedroom, Dust, Pets, Smoke, Pollon #ad
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BLUEAIR Blue Signature SP3i Air Purifier for Medium Rooms up to 2,250 sq ft, HEPASilent Filtration, WiFi Smart Control, Auto Mode, Odor & Smoke Removal, Pet Hair & Dust, AHAM Verified, Table Design #ad
WINIX 5530 Air Purifier (New Generation of 5500-2 with App Control) for Home Large Room Up to 1882 Ft² in 1 Hr, True HEPA, High Deodorization Carbon Filter and Auto Mode, Captures Pet Allergies, Smoke #ad
FreAire HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Rooms up to 1800Ft², VisionAir 20dB Sleep Mode for Bedroom, with Real-Time AQI & PM2.5 Display, 360°Intake & Outlet Air Cleaner for Pets, HAP606, White #ad
Air Purifiers for Home Large Room up to 2200sq.ft, EVALIT Air Purifier for Bedroom with PM2.5 Air Quality Display and Fragrance, HEPA Filter for Pet Hair Odors Smoke Dust,Graphite, 1Pack #ad
Air Purifiers for Home Large Room, Cover Up to 2400 Ft² with True HEPA Filter, Smart Mode, PM2.5 Air Quality Display, 22dB Sleep Mode, Aromatherapy with 2X-Purification & 360°Air Outlet, HAP603 #ad
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