Enter Flow Rate to Convert
Converted Flow Rate
Result: –
Scientific Form: –
Grouped Digits: –
Overview
Flow rate (volume flow) measures how much fluid volume passes a given point per unit time. Common applications:
- Piping and HVAC engineers often use ft³/s (cubic feet per second) or ft³/min (cubic feet per minute).
- Laboratory and medical devices typically report L/min (liters per minute).
- Pumps and water treatment may specify US gal/min (US gallons per minute) or US gal/hr.
- Large‐scale industrial flows sometimes use m³/s (cubic meters per second).
This free online converter supports:
- m³/s (cubic meter per second) – SI base unit
- ft³/s (cubic foot per second)
- ft³/min (cubic foot per minute)
- in³/s (cubic inch per second)
- in³/min (cubic inch per minute)
- US gal/day (US fluid gallon per day)
- US gal/hr (US fluid gallon per hour)
- US gal/min (US fluid gallon per minute)
- L/min (liter per minute)
Formula & Methodology
All conversions go through the base unit cubic meter per second (m³/s). The two‐step process is:
- Convert the input → m³/s using a fixed factor.
- Convert m³/s → target unit by dividing by that unit’s “m³/s” factor.
Below is the conversion table (unit → m³/s):
| Unit | Factor (to m³/s) | Symbol | Notes / Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic meter per second | 1 | m³/s | SI base unit |
| Cubic foot per second | 0.028316846592 | ft³/s | 1 ft = 0.3048 m → (0.3048³) m³ per second |
| Cubic foot per minute | 0.028316846592 / 60 = 0.0004719474432 | ft³/min | ft³/s ÷ 60 |
| Cubic inch per second | 1.6387064×10⁻⁵ | in³/s | 1 in = 0.0254 m → (0.0254³) m³ per second |
| Cubic inch per minute | 1.6387064×10⁻⁵ / 60 ≈ 2.7311773×10⁻⁷ | in³/min | in³/s ÷ 60 |
| US gallon (fluid) per minute | 6.30801964×10⁻⁵ | gal/min | 1 US gal = 3.785411784×10⁻³ m³ → ÷ 60 |
| US gallon (fluid) per hour | 3.785411784×10⁻³ / 3600 ≈ 1.051503273×10⁻⁶ | gal/hr | gal/min ÷ 60 |
| US gallon (fluid) per day | 3.785411784×10⁻³ / 86400 ≈ 4.38044844×10⁻⁸ | gal/day | gal/hr ÷ 24 |
| Liter per minute | 1×10⁻³ / 60 = 1.6666667×10⁻⁵ | L/min | 1 L = 0.001 m³ → ÷ 60 |
Examples
- Convert 500 ft³/s to m³/s:
500 × 0.028316846592 = 14.158423296 m³/s - Convert 1000 L/min to US gal/min:
1000 × (1 L/min → 1.6666667×10⁻⁵ m³/s) = 0.016666667 m³/s
0.016666667 ÷ (6.30801964×10⁻⁵) = 264.172 US gal/min - Convert 200 in³/s to ft³/min:
200 × 1.6387064×10⁻⁵ = 0.0032774128 m³/s
0.0032774128 ÷ 0.0004719474432 = 6.944444 ft³/min - Convert 50 US gal/hr to m³/s:
50 × 1.051503273×10⁻⁶ = 5.257516365×10⁻⁵ m³/s - Convert 10 ft³/min to L/min:
10 × 0.0004719474432 = 0.004719474432 m³/s
0.004719474432 ÷ (1.6666667×10⁻⁵) = 283.1685 L/min
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use m³/s as the base unit?
Because it is the SI base unit for volumetric flow. Converting everything to m³/s first avoids rounding errors when chaining conversions.
How do I convert cubic inches per minute to liters per minute?
1 in³/min = 2.7311773×10⁻⁷ m³/s. Multiply by 60 to get m³/min (≈1.6387064×10⁻⁵ m³/min), then multiply by 1000 to get L/min. Net factor: 2.7311773×10⁻⁷ × 60 × 1000 = 0.016390642.
When might I need US gal/day or US gal/hr?
Water treatment plants and certain irrigation systems specify flow in US gal/day or US gal/hr. This converter lets you quickly switch to SI or other units.
Is cubic foot per second used in hydrology?
Yes—hydrologists commonly use ft³/s (cfs) to report river discharge rates. To compare with scientific data, you may convert cfs → m³/s.
Can I use this offline?
Yes. All calculations occur in your browser once the page is loaded. No further internet access is needed.
Does this work on mobile?
Yes. On narrow screens, the two columns collapse into one, and the form remains fully functional.