🧊 Water Cooling Calculator
Work out how much ice it actually takes to chill a cooler or pitcher of water down to your target temperature.
How much ice do you need to cool water?
This calculator uses a standard heat-balance formula: the heat lost by the warm water as it cools equals the heat absorbed by the ice as it melts and warms to the target temperature. It accounts for both the latent heat needed to melt the ice (334 kJ/kg) and the water’s specific heat (about 4.186 kJ/kg°C).
How to use it
Enter the volume of water you’re cooling (for a cooler of drinks, water, or a beverage dispenser), its starting temperature, and the temperature you want to reach. The result is the weight of ice, assumed to start at 32°F (0°C), that you’ll need to add.
Real-world results can vary slightly depending on insulation, added drinks or cans displacing water, and how well the ice and water are mixed. This tool is for general party- and meal-planning purposes.