Professional Calculators

Menu

Heat Sink Calculator

Tap here to learn how to use it

Model: Bar-Cohen plate fins + IEQ spreading • IEC natural convection • Kays–London forced convection • radiation.

Back to Top

What is a Heat Sink Calculator?

The Heat Sink Calculator predicts your sink’s temperature rise and airflow-pressure drop based on plate-fin geometry, material, power dissipation, and air-flow. It also plots how fin-thickness affects both ΔT and ΔP so you can pick the best design. You can also use our Pressure Drop Calculator to analyze airflow resistance in ducts and channels when optimizing cooling system performance.

How to use it

  1. Power dissipation (P): Enter the device’s heat load and pick units (W, kW, BTU/h, hp, etc.). To estimate the total power that generates heat in your system, use the Electrical Load Calculator to calculate accurate electrical demand values.
  2. Ambient temperature (Tₐₘb): Enter in °C, °F, K or °R.
  3. Air velocity: Enter forced-air speed (m/s, ft/s, ft/min, km/h, mph), or 0 for natural convection.
  4. Dimensions (L, W): Specify length (flow direction) and width (fin span) with units (mm, cm, m, in, ft).
  5. Fin geometry:
    • Fin height (H) and thickness (tfin)
    • Number of fins (N)
    • Base thickness (tbase)
  6. Emissivity (ε): Surface emissivity for radiation (0–1).
  7. Material conductivity (k): Choose alloy or composite; or enter custom W/m·K.
  8. Calculate: Click “CALCULATE” to show:
    • Fin spacing
    • Total surface area
    • Convective & radiative heat coefficients
    • Thermal resistances RθSA, RθBase, RθTotal
    • Sink temperature rise ΔT
    • Channel pressure drop ΔP

    It will also plot ΔT and ΔP versus fin thickness in an interactive chart.

  9. Reset: Clears inputs, destroys the chart, and focuses the first field for a new design.

Key benefits

  • Optimizes plate-fin geometry for minimal temperature rise and acceptable pressure drop.
  • Supports both natural and forced convection across multiple unit systems.
  • Plots performance sweep so you can compare fin-thickness trade-offs instantly.
  • Includes radiative heat transfer and real material conductivities.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides thermal performance estimates to support engineering analysis and design planning. Actual heat-sink performance may vary depending on airflow conditions, mounting quality, materials, and operating environment. Use these results as a helpful reference during design, and confirm final performance through testing or detailed thermal evaluation when required.