AC Recharge Cost Calculator
Refrigerant and labor cost estimate.
Inputs
%
Results
Total estimated cost
$260.80
≈ 5 tanks of gas
Refrigerant needed (oz)16.8
Refrigerant cost$100.80
Labor cost$100.00
Diagnostic fee$50.00
Parts cost$10.00
Annual Cost If Recurring$260.80
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Refrigerant type, R-134a (most pre-2015 vehicles), and R-1234yf (2015+ vehicles, more expensive).
- Set System capacity (oz), Current charge level (%), and Service type.
- Adjust DIY recharge kit, Professional recharge as needed.
- Review the Total estimated cost ($) result.
- Use Refrigerant needed (oz) and Refrigerant cost ($) to inform your decision.
How the result changes with System capacity (oz)
| System capacity (oz) | Total estimated cost |
|---|---|
| 15 | $214.00 |
| 28 | $260.80 |
| 43 | $314.80 |
| 55 | $358.00 |
What each input means
- Refrigerant type
- Select the refrigerant type
- System capacity (oz)
- AC system refrigerant capacity in ounces (check underhood sticker or manual).
- Current charge level (%)
- Estimated current refrigerant level. 0% = empty, 100% = full.
- Service type
- Select the service type
- Leak severity (if repairing)
- Select the leak severity (if repairing)
- Shop labor rate ($/hr)
- Hourly shop labor rate.
What each result means
- Total estimated cost
- Complete AC service cost including refrigerant, parts, labor, and diagnostics.
- Refrigerant needed (oz)
- Amount of refrigerant to add.
- Refrigerant cost
- Cost of refrigerant based on type and amount.
- Labor cost
- Shop labor charges.
- Diagnostic fee
- Leak detection and diagnostic charges.
- Parts cost
- Replacement parts (O-rings, hoses, etc.).
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersRefrigerant type = 0, System capacity (oz) = 28, Current charge level (%) = 40, Service type = 1 = 6 input(s) provided
- Calculate Total estimated costTotal estimated cost = refrigerantCost + partsCost + laborCost + diagnosticFee260.8 = $260.8
- Calculate Refrigerant neededRefrigerant needed = systemCapacityOz * (1 - currentChargePct / 100)16.8 = 16.8
- Calculate Refrigerant costRefrigerant cost = chargeNeeded * refrigerantCostPerOz100.8 = $100.8
Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.
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