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☁️ Psychrometric Calculator

Calculate moist air properties including dew point, absolute humidity, and enthalpy from dry bulb temperature and relative humidity.

Inputs

%

Calculations are based on Standard Atmospheric Pressure (101.325 kPa / 14.696 psi) at sea level.

Results

Dew Point (T_dp)
0.00°F
Humidity Ratio (W)
0.00grains/lb
Specific Enthalpy (h)
0.00Btu/lb

Air State Overview

T_db25°T_dp0.0°50%RH

Calculator Description

The psychrometric chart describes the thermodynamic state of moist air — a mixture of air and water vapor. From just the dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity you can obtain every property needed for HVAC design: humidity ratio, enthalpy, dew point and more.

What this calculator finds

From dry-bulb temperature T, relative humidity RH and atmospheric pressure P_atm it computes saturation vapor pressure P_ws, actual vapor pressure P_w, humidity ratio W and specific enthalpy h. It is the basis of cooling/heating load and humidification/dehumidification design.

Why it matters

  • Estimating cooling and humidification loads for air handlers
  • Checking dew point to assess condensation risk
  • Tracking state changes through mixing, heating, cooling and humidification processes

Formula

Magnus-Tetens Formula (Vapor Pressure)

A practical empirical relation for the saturation vapor pressure P_ws at temperature T (°C). The actual vapor pressure P_w follows from the relative humidity.

Pws=0.61078exp ⁣(17.27TT+237.3)P_{ws} = 0.61078\,\exp\!\left(\dfrac{17.27\,T}{T + 237.3}\right)
Pw=Pws(RH100)P_w = P_{ws}\left(\dfrac{RH}{100}\right)

Humidity Ratio & Enthalpy

Humidity ratio W is the mass of water vapor per kg of dry air; specific enthalpy h is the total heat (sensible + latent) per kg of dry air.

W=0.621945PwPatmPwW = \dfrac{0.621945\,P_w}{P_{atm} - P_w}
h=1.006T+W(2501+1.86T)h = 1.006\,T + W(2501 + 1.86\,T)
  • TDry bulb temperature [°C (°F)]
  • P_wsSaturation vapor pressure [kPa]
  • P_wActual vapor pressure [kPa]
  • WHumidity ratio (kg water vapor / kg dry air)
  • hSpecific enthalpy (kJ per kg dry air)
  • P_atmAtmospheric pressure (typically 101.325 kPa)

How the formula works

  • Higher temperature raises saturation vapor pressure exponentially, so the same RH carries more moisture.
  • Humidity ratio W is proportional to actual vapor pressure P_w and inversely related to (P_atm − P_w).
  • In enthalpy, 2501 is water's latent heat of vaporization (at 0°C); the W term (latent heat) usually dominates.

Worked example

At 25°C, RH 60%, P_atm 101.325 kPa: P_ws = 0.61078·exp(17.27×25/(25+237.3)) ≈ 3.17 kPa, so P_w = 3.17×0.60 ≈ 1.90 kPa. W = 0.621945×1.90/(101.325−1.90) ≈ 0.0119 kg/kg. h = 1.006×25 + 0.0119×(2501+1.86×25) ≈ 25.2 + 30.1 ≈ 55.3 kJ/kg.

Useful Tips

Practical tips

  • At high altitude lower P_atm slightly raises humidity ratio for the same conditions — correct P_atm.
  • When a cooling coil drops below dew point, dehumidification (condensation) occurs and h falls together with W.
  • Air mixing can be found as the mass-weighted average of humidity ratio and enthalpy.

Limitations & cautions

  • The Magnus-Tetens relation is accurate roughly 0–50°C; error grows at extreme temperatures.
  • This model uses the ideal-gas approximation and is unsuitable for high-pressure (enclosed) states.
  • Air with salts/impurities or plasma states is not considered.