Home / References / HVAC & Insulation VALICALC · TECHNICAL REFERENCE
R-Value & U-Value Conversion Chart Compare US R-value, SI resistance and reciprocal U-values for authored examples. Preserve the same assembly basis and units before using a heat-loss input.
ValiCalc · R-Value & U-Value Conversion Chart https://www.valicalc.com/r-value-u-value-conversion-chart Dataset v1.3.0 · verified 2026-10-07
Display: metric.
LOOK UP & COMPARE Metric Imperial
Search designation or dimension Search within the verified subset. Numeric sizes match complete designations; a nearby size is a candidate, not an exact match.
SELECTED REFERENCE
R1 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 0.176 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 5.678 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 1 h·ft²·°F/BTU All fields & cell provenance Copy result Add to comparison Copy share link
v1.3.0 · verified 2026-10-07
Scope of this lookup 12 authored reciprocal comparisons; no material, product or whole-building code values.
Before using these values Material-only resistance is not a whole-assembly rating. Framing, bridges, films, gaps, moisture and installation can change actual R/U; no climate-zone/code target is assigned.
R and U are reciprocals only for the same thermal element and consistent units. Do not use US R directly as the reciprocal of SI U.
Sort byAuthored resistance SI thermal resistance Matching-basis U-value US R-value Order: ascending
R-Value & U-Value Conversion Chart, metric display Authored resistance SI thermal resistance Matching-basis U-value US R-value Actions R1 (same-basis scenario) 0.176 m²·K/W 5.678 W/(m²·K) 1 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R2 (same-basis scenario) 0.352 m²·K/W 2.839 W/(m²·K) 2 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R3 (same-basis scenario) 0.528 m²·K/W 1.893 W/(m²·K) 3 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R5 (same-basis scenario) 0.881 m²·K/W 1.136 W/(m²·K) 5 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R8 (same-basis scenario) 1.409 m²·K/W 0.71 W/(m²·K) 8 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R10 (same-basis scenario) 1.761 m²·K/W 0.568 W/(m²·K) 10 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R13 (same-basis scenario) 2.289 m²·K/W 0.437 W/(m²·K) 13 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R19 (same-basis scenario) 3.346 m²·K/W 0.299 W/(m²·K) 19 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R30 (same-basis scenario) 5.283 m²·K/W 0.189 W/(m²·K) 30 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R38 (same-basis scenario) 6.692 m²·K/W 0.149 W/(m²·K) 38 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R49 (same-basis scenario) 8.629 m²·K/W 0.116 W/(m²·K) 49 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R60 (same-basis scenario) 10.567 m²·K/W 0.095 W/(m²·K) 60 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R1 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 0.176 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 5.678 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 1 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R2 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 0.352 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 2.839 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 2 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R3 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 0.528 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 1.893 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 3 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R5 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 0.881 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 1.136 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 5 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R8 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 1.409 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 0.71 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 8 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R10 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 1.761 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 0.568 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 10 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R13 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 2.289 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 0.437 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 13 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R19 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 3.346 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 0.299 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 19 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R30 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 5.283 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 0.189 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 30 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R38 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 6.692 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 0.149 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 38 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R49 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 8.629 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 0.116 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 49 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
R60 (same-basis scenario)
SI thermal resistance 10.567 m²·K/W
Matching-basis U-value 0.095 W/(m²·K)
US R-value 60 h·ft²·°F/BTU View Compare Copy row
KEEP THE JOB MOVING
Where does this result go next? How to use this data RSI=RUS×0.1761101838; matching SI U=1/RSI. Imperial U uses the reciprocal of US R on that same basis. No Heat Loss row is auto-filled.
CHECK THE METHOD
Worked example R19 corresponds to RSI 3.34609 and matching U≈0.298856 W/(m²·K). This does not make an R19 batt an R19 wall assembly.
Continue the reference workflow Common lookup questions What should I confirm before using this lookup? Material-only resistance is not a whole-assembly rating. Framing, bridges, films, gaps, moisture and installation can change actual R/U; no climate-zone/code target is assigned.
TRACEABLE DATA
Sources, scope & verification Dataset v1.3.0 Last verified: 2026-10-07
12 authored reciprocal comparisons; no material, product or whole-building code values.
Values are curated product facts or generated scenarios. Paid standards, complete catalogs and source diagrams are not reproduced. A verification date applies to this documented subset.
Type A · US Bureau of Standards · Letter Circular 227: Thermal Insulation, 1927; definitions only
Original equations, chosen scenarios and generated values; no copied tables or drawings.
Full provenance & artifact record
Source checked 2026-10-07
Use basis authored-formula
Artifact SHA-256 No retained source artifact hash; see the stated source and verification record. Type A · NIST · SP 1038, 2006; exact definitions used where available
Original equations, chosen scenarios and generated values; no copied tables or drawings.
Full provenance & artifact record
Source checked 2026-10-07
Use basis authored-formula
Artifact SHA-256 No retained source artifact hash; see the stated source and verification record.