Figuring out how many rack units your equipment occupies is crucial when selecting the right rack size and having an organized setup. Our Rack Unit Calculator is designed to help you easily figure that out.
A Rack Unit is a unit of measurement to define the height of equipment for a 19-inch rack. When you’re setting up your rack mounted gear you want to be sure you are calculating the correct number of rack units to house all your equipment. One rack unit is equal to 1.75 inches/44.45mm in height so, if you have a piece of equipment that is 3.5 inches tall, it will occupy 2 rack units (2U) of space. Understanding how many units your equipment needs ensures that you select the correct rack size and avoid issues with overcrowding, ventilation, and ease of access.
Using our Rack Unit Calculator is straightforward.
1 - Enter the dimensions of your equipment - Enter the exact height of your gear.
2 - Calculate the number of rack units - Once you enter the height of your equipment, our tool will automatically calculate how many rack units your gear will occupy. This is calculated based on the fact that 1U is 1.75 inches/44.45mm tall. For example: If your device is 5.25 inches high, the calculator will determine that it will occupy 3U (5.25 / 1.75 = 3).
3 - Choose your rack size - After calculating the correct number of units for your desired equipment, our tool will help you match your equipment with the correct rack size.
Some tips for using the calculator and planning your rack setup:
Measure your equipment precisely. Be sure to measure your equipment accurately, including any protruding parts like knobs or handles to ensure the correct space is calculated for the perfect fit when installed.
Factor in cable management. Consider the room needed to access and manage your cables. We offer many options for rack cable management to help everything stay organized.
Consider Ventilation. It is crucial to maintain good temperate management within your rack to keep every device performing at its best. Make sure to factor in cooling and ventilation space when planning the layout of your rack.
Plan for future expansion. If you think you will be adding more equipment in the future, consider calculating how much extra space you'll need to accommodate that and leave some empty room – your rack doesn’t need to be filled. You can also use blank rack panels or vented panels to hide any empty spaces whilst you continue to work on your rack.
Using our 19-inch rack unit calculator will help save you time from trying to manually calculate the rack units and work out how much space you need. Incorrectly estimating the number of rack units can cause problems like overcrowding, overheating, and reduced accessibility. Save yourself time and money when you get the correct rack measurements the first time!
