CalculaIT / tools

UPS size calculator

Which UPS you need in VA and how much battery for X minutes.

Fields contain editable examples.

Result
Recommended UPS (VA)
650
Minimum power (W)
375
Battery energy (Wh)
58.8
Quick answer · example

What UPS do I need for a 300 W PC?

With 300 W and 25% headroom you need 375 W; with the usual 0.6 power factor that is 625 VA, so a 650 VA UPS. For 10 minutes of runtime you need about 59 Wh of usable battery.

Calculation assumptions

Add up the real draw of everything plugged into the UPS. Use a power factor of 0.6 if the maker does not list watts. Real runtime drops with load and battery age.

View the worked example ↓

Formula and assumptions

VA = W × (1 + headroom/100) / power factor → next common size; Wh = W × minutes / 60 / 0.85

Add up the real draw of everything plugged into the UPS. Use a power factor of 0.6 if the maker does not list watts. Real runtime drops with load and battery age.

All amounts use the same currency of your choice. These are estimates, not measurements or offers.

How to use this calculator

Choose a UPS that keeps your PC, NAS or router running through a power cut and gives you time to shut down calmly. Measure or estimate the real draw of everything you will plug in: the monitor and router count too. UPS units are sold in VA; the watts they handle depend on their power factor, usually between 0.6 and 0.9.

Worked example

  1. 300 W × 1.25 headroom = 375 W.
  2. 375 W ÷ 0.6 = 625 VA: the next common size is 650 VA.
  3. 300 W × 10 min ÷ 60 ÷ 0.85 = 59 Wh of usable battery.

Example result

Recommended UPS (VA)
650
Minimum power (W)
375

Interpreting the result

Check that the UPS meets both figures on its spec sheet: VA and watts. For runtime, look at the maker runtime chart at your load, because lead-acid batteries deliver less the faster they discharge. For a NAS, pick a model with a USB port so the NAS shuts down before the battery runs out; for PC power supplies with active PFC, a pure sine wave UPS is the safer choice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between VA and W?

VA is apparent power and W is real power. A 650 VA UPS with a 0.6 power factor delivers at most 390 W. Always check the watts on the spec sheet.

How long does a UPS battery last?

Lead-acid batteries usually last 3 to 5 years. If runtime drops a lot, replace it: most UPS units let you swap the battery.

Can I plug a laser printer into the UPS?

It is not recommended: when the fuser heats up it draws very high peaks that can overload the UPS.

References and method

References and method