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Conversion

R-Value ↔ U-Value Insulation Converter

R-value (thermal resistance) measures a material's ability to resist heat flow — the higher the better. U-value (thermal transmittance) is the inverse — the lower the better. They are mathematically reciprocals (U = 1 ⁄ R), but the SI (m²·K/W) and US (ft²·°F·h/BTU) unit systems differ by a factor of 5.678263, which routinely trips up anyone comparing manufacturer datasheets across regions. Enter any of R or U in either unit system; the tool returns all four values plus a code-context performance band.

Common presets

R (SI)

5.28

m²·K/W

R (US)

30.00

ft²·°F·h/BTU

U (SI)

0.189

W/(m²·K)

U (US)

0.033

BTU/(ft²·°F·h)

Performance band

High (current code ceiling / nZEB wall)

R and U are reciprocals: U = 1 ⁄ R. SI ↔ US conversion: R_US = R_SI × 5.678263 (ASHRAE Fundamentals 2021).

Formula

U = 1 ⁄ R; R_US = R_SI × 5.678263; U_US = U_SI ⁄ 5.678263 (ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals 2021).

Frequently asked

Why do American and European R-values seem to differ by ~5×?

Different unit systems. An "R-30" batt in the US is in ft²·°F·h/BTU; the same panel reads R_SI 5.28 m²·K/W in Europe — identical physical object, different units. The exact factor is R_US = R_SI × 5.678263. So a Canadian, UK or EU spec sheet showing R 5 isn't weaker than R-30 — it can be stronger. Quick sanity checks: (1) always look at the unit suffix; (2) in imperial, residential walls run R-13 to R-21 and attics R-30 to R-49; (3) in SI, walls 2–4 and attics 5–8 are typical. Passive House targets R_SI 6.7 walls and 10 roofs, equivalent to R-38 walls and R-57 roofs in US terms.

Which is the "official" spec — U or R?

Both are official; they describe different things. Whole-window, whole-wall and whole-roof assemblies use U-value because Q = U × A × ΔT plugs directly in for heat-loss calculations. NFRC (US/Canada windows), UK Part L and EU EPBD all quote U_window. Single-layer insulation products (fibreglass batt, EPS board) use R-value because R scales linearly with thickness, so a label like R-13 or R-30 lets customers spec by thickness. Practical tips: (a) comparing windows or doors → use U, smaller is better; (b) comparing insulation board → use R, bigger is better; (c) whole-wall assemblies → use assembly U (accounts for stud thermal bridging); (d) computing Q = U × A × ΔT → always U_SI.

Is more R-value always better — can I keep stacking?

In theory yes, but the marginal payoff falls off quickly. Going R-13 → R-30 on a wall cuts conductive heat loss from ~100 % to ~43 % (a 57-point drop). Going R-30 → R-60 only saves another 21.5 % (43 → 21.5 %). R-60 → R-100 saves a further 8.5 %. Several real-world ceilings: (1) Thickness — high-R walls eat floor area; in expensive land markets (Hong Kong, Tokyo) the lost square metres often outweigh energy savings. (2) Thermal bridging — stud cavities, window frames and slab edges leak heat regardless of cavity insulation, so beyond ~R-30 you need continuous exterior insulation to keep gaining. (3) Moisture — extra insulation shifts the dew point inward; without proper vapour control you can trap condensation in the wall. (4) Payback — going from R-30 to R-60 in a mild climate can take 30+ years to pay back; in arctic climates it pays off in <10. The current consensus is that above Passive House levels (R_SI 6–10) marginal cost/benefit is unfavourable for most climates.

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