Painterly illustration of a cutaway house showing its heating and cooling ducts from the basement furnace to every room, with outdoor AC and heat-pump units

HVAC ductwork

HVAC Duct Design Software

Lay out HVAC ductwork in 3D with standard ducts, elbows, reducers, collars and registers. Only compatible fittings snap together, then get a parts list.

How it works

From idea to parts list in three steps

  1. 01

    Run the ducts

    Start at the plenum and add ducts, elbows, tees and reducers. Only fittings that match the open end's size and shape are offered.

    Watch the demo
  2. 02

    Count every fitting

    The parts list adds up duct lengths, collars, registers and dampers as you design, ready to take to the store.

    Watch the demo
  3. 03

    Fill your cart

    Match the list to store products and fill your cart at The Home Depot, Lowe's or McMaster-Carr, then review it before checkout.

    Watch the demo

What Connects to What?

What Connects to What? demo

Click an open end on a pipe or fitting and the parts drawer opens with compatible options, such as the next elbow or length of pipe. Pick one to attach it at that joint. On PVC pipe projects, the next part comes from the joint that needs it, not a long catalog hunt.

Snap-to-Connect

Snap-to-Connect demo

Bring a loose part close to a supported connection point and it seats into place, lined up with the rest of your build. Snapping takes the fiddly guesswork out of joining uprights, rails and other members, so each piece meets its neighbour at the connection itself rather than just floating nearby.

What Parts Do I Need?

What Parts Do I Need? demo

Every board, pipe and fitting you add shows up in a parts list beside your 3D model, with quantities that update as the design changes. Hover a row to find those parts in the scene, then check the counts before you cut or shop. Your design becomes a list you can review line by line.

Fill Up My Cart!

Fill Up My Cart! demo

Once your design is ready, match each line on your parts list to a store product, check purchase quantities and skip anything you already own. When you are signed in, Crafti fills that retailer's cart for you to review before checkout. You skip retyping every part by hand, and nothing is bought until you decide.

Point & Click Measuring

Point & Click Measuring demo

Click two points on your model to read the distance between them, with units shown along the dimension line. Lengthen an upright and the line and its value update together, so the measurement keeps up with your change. Check sizes and clearances on screen before you cut a single piece.

Massive Library of Real Parts

Massive Library of Real Parts demo

Over 7,300 real parts across 346 categories, ready to drop into your design: lumber in every common size, pipe and fittings in PVC, copper and steel, 80/20 aluminum framing, steel tube and bar, screws and brackets, wheels, casters and actuators, electrical and HVAC parts, plus people, plants and furniture for scale.

See all 27 features

The parts library

Duct parts in the library

Galvanized steel supply and return parts in the sizes used in homes, each with its real connection size.

Counted from the live catalog. Search every part in the library.

Why Crafti

Made for HVAC projects at any skill level

Illustration of a person inspecting a box of parts with a magnifying glass

The HVAC Duct Design Software You Need!

Did you ever wonder what software is used to design HVAC systems or duct designs? Well, it's this one! Once you have calculated the heating and cooling loads for each space in your home or office, our HVAC Duct Design Software will help you visualize your HVAC System.

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You'll be able to connect ducts & fittings, dampers & plenums according to the volume flow rate in each space.

Save some money by designing your HVAC System in web-based software you can start using for free. It lets you share the design with an installer or engineer. It will also allow you to download the part list with real measurements of each part you used.

Illustration of a person on a skateboard sketching an idea

HVAC Systems Can Be Tricky

HVAC systems might look complex, but if you know the role that each piece plays and how they fit together, this app will help you to design and optimize the size of the ducting system. The most recommended ducts are rounded but in case there is lack of space, square ones will work perfectly.

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Both are preloaded in our software with different sizes.Start snapping together galvanized ducts with stacked head elbows, HVAC splice collars, galvanized elbows and other components you'll find in our duct design software.

You’ll only need to acquire your own heat exchanger or condensing unit to finish off your DIY project. Start with one section of your home and share your design with an engineer, family or friends in case you need a second opinion.

Illustration of a person lifting a giant wrench overhead

Learn by Doing your First HVAC System!

Using our HVAC Duct Design Software might seem daunting without guidance. If you aren’t yet convinced, start by building or replicating existing HVAC systems. As you gain experience and become more familiar with the various HVAC components, you can design a bigger and more complete project on your own!

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Soon you'll know where heat exchangers should go and where to install evaporator coils. Where to avoid using flat fittings and instead use smoothed profiles to avoid reduction of the flow.

Each of our pre-designed HVAC projects includes an easy-to-follow guide. Explore the steps involved in constructing your living room's air conditioning or your loft's heater system with your own hands. You have the flexibility to select HVAC projects that align with your objectives and requirements.

Illustration of a person with a light bulb idea

Experienced CAD user or Novice

It doesn't matter! Crafti is here for anyone interested in DIY projects. The crucial thing is to understand the basics of HVAC in order to design your system. When it comes to our software, just jump-start your project by constructing one of the designs showcased in our gallery or selecting the first part of a circular galvanized duct to create a new design.

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Gain access to the complete list of parts with accurate measurements, just like a pro engineer! If you start from scratch or select a HVAC System 3D design, it automatically gets generated.

We Know What Fits Into What

We know the size & type of each connection of each part to the ducts of a HVAC project. So we show you only compatible parts when you're creating your AC, heating or ventilation system.

Compatible HVAC elbows and reducers shown around a duct’s connection points

Easily Design a Duct System Based on your Comfort Preferences

While many HVAC design software options are geared toward engineers and architects familiar with system sizing, energy efficiency, ductwork design, code compliance or cost estimation, Crafti is designed to be user-friendly for everyone, particularly those embarking on their next DIY smart home project who just need to design the ductwork and know the real sizing of it all.

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Whether you're a seasoned expert or a newcomer, you can easily assemble your HVAC duct design with Crafti. It's built around standard parts available at your local hardware store, allowing you to place these parts and then effortlessly attach other compatible components. The process is straightforward: Click - Select - Snap! Our objective is to make the design and construction process more enjoyable for DIY enthusiasts who love designing their home atmosphere with HVAC Duct Design Systems, customizing it according to their very specific needs! Once your design is complete, you can share it with your engineers or teams who can clone it, make alterations, or simply replicate your shared designs.Once your design is ready, you'll receive a parts list and the exact measurements of each component, enabling you to gather all the necessary materials without the hassle of multiple trips to the hardware store! Oh, and it's web-based, and you can start designing for free. You can also transition from HVAC into aluminum 8020, wood or PVC tubes!

Fill Your Cart in One Click

Once your design is ready, Crafti matches every line on your parts list to a store product and fills your cart at McMaster-Carr, The Home Depot or Lowe's. You review it before checkout, and nothing is bought until you decide.

HVAC parts list with galvanized ducts, elbows and registers

Questions

HVAC design questions

Does Crafti size my ducts?

No. Crafti doesn't do load or airflow calculations. If you already know your duct sizes, for example from the equal friction method, it makes laying out and counting the parts easy.

Are round and rectangular ducts both included?

Yes, along with the transitions, boots and collars between them.

Can I plan the supply and return side?

Yes. Registers, return grilles and filter frames are in the library alongside the supply fittings.

Is this a downloadable app?

No! It all works on the browser. It works on your phone as well as your computer!

Can I save my design?

Yes! You can save your design in your account.

Can I share my design?

Yes! You'll have a unique URL for every design you save which you can send to anyone! They can then see or clone the design. They cannot edit your design. You can also delete it whenever you'd like.

What materials do you support?

Crafti has 7,300+ parts across aluminum 8020, steel, wood, HVAC and PVC! Let us know if we're missing a part.

Where did the idea for this app come from?

I spent a year building an off grid farm and knew nothing about construction / plumbing / electrical work…
I saw that most people had to go the hardware store multiple times and many times they weren’t able to finish their work that day because the vendor didn’t have the part. So I thought if you can design your project beforehand, it will allow us to check for compatibility while you’re designing and then fill your cart at the store with everything you need! Much easier!

Which components are connected to HVAC systems?

HVAC components can get connected with various systems to enhance it’s functionality, like thermostats, building management systems (BMS), sensors, ventilation systems, energy management systems (EMS), remote monitoring and control, integration with renewable energy sources among others.

The idea for Crafti is to be a place where you can design your entire project ready to connect with other components so you have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish.

Can I buy the parts through Crafti?

Crafti doesn't sell parts itself. When your design is ready, it fills your cart at McMaster-Carr, The Home Depot or Lowe's so you can review everything before you check out.

What are the types of HVAC Systems?

According to the needs and specifications of different buildings and applications, you may find yourself analyzing the following types: Split systems for residential or small buildings.
Packaged systems for roofs or beside buildings.
Ductless mini-split systems for retrofitting older buildings.
Heat pumps able to reverse the refrigeration cycle into heating.
Hybrid heat systems for regions with fluctuating weather conditions.
Variable refrigerant Flow (VRF) commonly used in commercial buildings.
And chilled water systems to cool through pipes buildings.

Are you going to add more parts?

Yes. We keep adding parts and features based on the feedback we get, so let us know what you need!

Why not just use a Profesional HVAC Software?

Certainly! If you're equipped with the necessary expertise and seek assistance with tasks like system sizing, ensuring energy efficiency, designing ductwork, complying with codes, or estimating costs, HVAC software can be incredibly useful. It's expected that these software solutions would provide accurate outputs, detailing all parts along with their precise measurements in a user-friendly format.

Yet, it's important to recognize that while these HVAC software tools are excellent for individual design work, they might not support online sharing of designs and specifications, preventing collaboration and visibility to others.

Where can I learn about ductwork sizing, calculation and design for efficiency?

Here is a good video with a full worked example.

Do you Have tips I can follow for different materials?
Do you have any tutorials on how to use the app?
Do I need Crafti Pro?

No. You can design for free, and many features work in the free version. Crafti Pro unlocks some features and includes monthly credits for Crafti AI. See Pricing for what it includes.

Start Your HVAC Project

Design in your browser on your phone or computer, then get the parts list, cut plan and assembly steps.

Start a Project

Crafti Pro

More room to build, create and bring your ideas to life.

  • Use your Claude/ChatGPT subscriptions to power Crafti AI
  • Private designs and invites
  • Save more than three designs
  • Custom part uploads
  • Export your designs (GLB, STL, OBJ...)
  • Generate Assembly Instructions
  • Included credits to use with Crafti AI
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