What size air compressor do I need?

This is the most frequently asked question by people who are interested in owning an air compressor. And, there’s no simple answer. It all depends on the type of work you plan to do, how big your home or business is, and many other factors. If you’re working with me, I’ll help you determine the best size compressor for your needs.

On this blog, you’ll find information on everything from the different types of compressors available, how to tell if your existing compressor is the right one for you, and which size compressor you should buy.

Do you know the size of the air compressor you need? Do you know the size of the air compressor you need if you have a commercial business? If you are running a home improvement and auto repair business then you must know this information. So, in this post, I will tell you the exact size of the air compressor you will need.

Air compressor selection criteria

You should choose an air compressor based on the following parameters:

• Rated Power (HP)
• Continuous Operation Time (COT)
• Weight Capacity (lbs.)
• Run Time per Gallon (CFM)
• It should be as light as possible
• It should be easy to work with
• It should have a strong airtight seal
• Make sure the compressor you are getting has a good quality motor.
• Check for the CE (Constant Energy)
• The compressor should have a self-priming action
• It should be electric
• It should have a warranty of at least one year.

What size air compressor do I need for air tools?

The answer depends on how powerful your compressor needs to be. If you are only going to use it for air tools, then a 13-1/2 horsepower unit will probably be more than enough. On the other hand, if you intend to use the compressor also for household or light industrial applications, you will definitely need a higher horsepower unit like a 33-1/2 or even a 50 horsepower unit.

READ MORE: 10 Best 20 Gallon Home Garage Air Compressors.

What size air compressor do I need to paint a car?

It all depends. How big is your car? If it’s a compact car, you probably only need 1/2-horsepower. On the other hand, if it’s a huge SUV or pickup truck, you may need 3 horsepower or more.

A rule of thumb is, that the bigger the surface to be painted, the bigger the compressor you will need.

What size air compressor do I need to inflate tires?

The Size Of An Air Compressor You Need To Inflate Tires Depends On How Many Tires You Have!

This is a trick question. There is no “correct” answer to this question. It all depends on what type of air compressor you have and what type of tires you have. If you have standard automobile air compressors, then you can use those. However, if you have a large air compressor with a capacity of 15 cubic feet per minute or more, then you should use that.
If your tires are less than 15 inches in diameter, you probably only need a 12-volt compressor. A 24-volt or 30-volt compressor will work also. However, if your tires are over 15 inches in diameter, you’ll need either a 48-volt (for 16-inch tires) or a 60-volt (for 20-inch tires) compressor.

Read our reviews intently to learn how the Best AC/DC Tire Inflator can benefit you for vehicles’ tires.

What size air compressor hose do I need?

The answer depends on how many people you are trying to pump up at one time. If it’s just one person, a 1/2 inch (12 mm) hose will work fine. However, if you’re pumping up more than two people, a 3/4 inch (19 mm) hose is definitely better. A 3/4 inch (19 mm) hose can handle a continuous flow of 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM).

Hose Size = (# of Feet In Hose) x (Size Of Inch In Each Foot)

For example, if your hose is 18 feet long, then you need to know how many inches are in 18 feet. Then you would multiply that by the size of the hose in each foot. So, if your hose is 1/2 inch thick, then you would use this formula: (# of Feet In Hose) x (1/2 inch in each foot)

READ MORE: Top 10 Best Dust Collector Hoses

What size air compressor do I need for a nail gun?

It depends on how far you want to drive the nails. A standard household air compressor will probably be more than adequate for most home users. If you plan to drive the nails very deeply or if you intend to drive a lot of them, then you might want to consider an industrial-type air compressor.

That depends. How many nails are you shooting per second? If it’s less than 200, then you probably only need a single 15-horsepower compressor. But if you’re doing more than 300 or so, you should get a 2-stage compressor. A 2-stage compressor has a smaller, less powerful compressor in the first stage and a larger, more powerful one in the second stage.

A 2-stage compressor will run much more quietly and be much more efficient than a single 15-horsepower compressor.

Choosing the 18-Gauge Pneumatic Brad Nailer, READ MORE.

What size air compressor do I need to remove lug nuts?

If you are removing the nuts on a car or truck, you will probably want an 11/2 horsepower (HP) unit. A standard household compressor will usually run anywhere from 15 to 30 HP. If you are working on a big project like a commercial building, you may want a 60 or even a 100-horsepower unit.

What size air compressor do I need for sandblasting?

That depends. How hard are you going to hit the surface? If it’s just a light sanding, then you probably only need a 10 to 12-horsepower (hp) compressor. But if you are going to hit the surface really hard, then you might need a 40 hp or 50 hp compressor. You know, it just depends on how hard you are going to hit the surface, doesn’t it?

What size air compressor do I need for a plasma cutter?

It depends on how big your plasma cutter is. If it’s less than 20 inches, you probably don’t even need an air compressor. Just use a regular home or shop air compressor. If it’s between 20 and 30 inches, you probably want at least a 10-horsepower (hp) compressor. If it’s over 30 inches, you’ll definitely want a 15 to 20-hp compressor.

For getting buying decision we reviewed Inexpensive Plasma Cutter Under 500 Dollar

What size air compressor do I need to blow out water lines?

The question is poorly written. Reworded: What size air compressor should I use to blow out water lines?

Here’s the answer: You don’t need any special size compressor. Just about any compressor, you can buy will work.

If you have one water line it will probably take a 12-1/2 hp. If you have two water lines it will probably take 30 hp. If you have three or more water lines it will probably take a 50 hp.

Size chart of air compressors

Air Tool	CFM at 90 PSI	Average Operating PSI
Air hammer	4	90-100
Angle grinder	5-8	90-100
Blowgun	2-3	90-100
Brad nailer	0.5	70-90
Die grinder	5	70-90
Disc sander	20	90-100
Drill	4	70-90
Framing nailer	2	100-130
Grease gun	3	120-150
Hydraulic Riveter	4	90-100
Impact driver 1/2-inch	4	90-100
Impact driver 3/4-inch	7	60-100
Impact driver 1-inch	12	90-100
Impact wrench 3/8-inch	3	90-100
Impact wrench 1/2-inch	4	90-100
Impact wrench 1-inch	10	90-100
Orbital sander	6-9	70-100
Paint spray gun	4-8	90-100
Ratchet 1/4-inch	3	90-100
Ratchet 3/8-inch	4	90-100
Speed saw	4	90-100
Staple gun	2	70-90
Tire inflator	2	125-150

Read what sensibledigs.com had to say about What Size Air Compressor Do I Need?

Air compressor size determining factors

Amps per Hour (A.P.H.) – The standard measurement of an air compressor is how many amps it puts out per hour. An air compressor with a higher amp rating will produce more air pressure in the tank than one with a lower amp rating. However, this doesn’t mean the higher amp compressor will give you a better dive. It all depends on the design of the compressor and its efficiency.  

– Number of people who will be using the air compressor -Generally speaking, more people = bigger compressor. If everyone is lightweight then a smaller compressor will do. However, if there are heavy people snorkeling or SCUBA diving then a bigger compressor will be needed.

– Amount of time that will elapse between uses of the compressor -If you are going on a long trip and will not be using the compressor often, then a smaller, lighter model may be all you need. The length of time you need to maintain a specified working pressure (usually measured in hours)

– How much air you will be using per person per day. The volume of air you need to achieve a specified working pressure (usually measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM).

– Square footage of inlet and outlet pipes – The size of the blower you select should be based on the square footage of its intake and exhaust pipes. You’ll find this data right on the manufacturer’s literature or, if you have access to a copy of the “National Electrical Code”, you can find it on page 334. 

– Total horsepower of your air compressor (most often indicated by the number of horsepowers on the nameplate).