Below is a conversion table for different units of volume flow. The table can be used to quickly convert between common flow units used in industry, piping, process engineering and hydraulics.
For example, you can easily convert a flow specified in liters per second (l/s) to cubic meters per hour (m³/h) or US gallons per minute (US gpm).
Volume Flow Conversion Table
| Volume flow | m³/s | l/s | m³/min | l/min | cfm (ft³/min) | m³/h | US gallons/min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| m³/s | 1 | 1000 | 60 | 60000 | 2118.88 | 3600 | 15850 |
| l/s | 0.001 | 1 | 0.06 | 60 | 2.11888 | 3.6 | 15.85 |
| m³/min | 0.016666667 | 16.6667 | 1 | 1000 | 35.3147 | 60 | 264.2 |
| l/min | 0.00001667 | 0.016667 | 0.001 | 1 | 0.035315 | 0.06 | 0.2642 |
| cfm (ft³/min) | 0.000471947 | 0.471947 | 0.028317 | 28.3168 | 1 | 1.69901 | 7.479 |
| m³/h | 0.000277778 | 0.277778 | 0.016667 | 16.6667 | 0.588578 | 1 | 4.403 |
| US gallons/min | 0.00006309 | 0.063091 | 0.003785 | 3.785 | 0.1337 | 0.2271 | 1 |
| 1 kilometer | 39370 | 3281 | 1094 | 0,6214 | 0,5396 | 10’6 | 1000 |
cu in = cubic inch, cu ft = cubic foot, cu yd = cubic yard
What is volumetric flow?
Volume flow indicates the volume of fluid passing through a given point per unit of time. In industry and process engineering, volume flow is often used to describe the flow of liquids, gases, or steam in piping systems, hoses, and process lines.
Common conversions of volumetric flow rate
l/min to m³/h
To convert liters per minute to cubic meters per hour, multiply the value by 0,06.
Example:
1 L/min = 0.06 m³/h
100 l/min = 6 m³/h
This is a common conversion when sizing pumps and piping systems, where flow is sometimes specified in liters per minute, but calculations or data sheets use m³/h.
m³/h to l/min
To convert cubic meters per hour to liters per minute, multiply the value by 16,6667.
Example:
1 m³/h = 16.6667 L/min
10 m³/h = 166.667 L/min
This conversion is useful when a flow rate needs to be adjusted for components or instruments specified in l/min.
l/s to m³/h
To convert liters per second to cubic meters per hour, multiply the value by 3,6.
Example:
1 l/s = 3.6 m³/h
5 l/s = 18 m³/h
Liters per second are often used for higher flow rates, while m³/h is common in technical specifications for pumps and process equipment.
m³/h to l/s
To convert cubic meters per hour to liters per second, multiply the value by 0,277778.
Example:
1 m³/h = 0.277778 l/s
20 m³/h = 5.55556 l/s
This may be relevant in flow calculations where you want to compare operational data, pump capacity, or pipe sizing.
cfm to m³/h
To convert CFM to cubic meters per hour, multiply the value by 1,69901.
Example:
1 cfm = 1.69901 m³/h
100 cfm = 169.901 m³/h
CFM is often used in specifications for air, gas, and ventilation, especially when data sheets are based on British or American units.
US gallons per minute to liters per minute
To convert US gallons per minute to liters per minute, multiply the value by 3,785.
Example:
1 US gallon/min = 3.785 L/min
10 US gallons/min = 37.85 L/min
This conversion is common when pumps, hoses, or flow components are specified using U.S. units of measurement.
Why is flow rate important when choosing a pump or hose?
The flow rate determines how much liquid or gas needs to be transported through the system over a given period of time. When selecting a pump, hose, or pipe, the flow rate must often be considered in conjunction with pressure, viscosity, density, temperature, and the system’s dimensions.
A flow rate that is too high in a hose or pipe that is too small can lead to high flow velocity, increased pressure drop, energy losses, and unnecessary strain on the system’s components. A flow rate that is too low, in turn, can affect the process’s capacity, operation, and efficiency.
Do you need help choosing the right component?
The correct flow rate is essential for a system to operate stably, efficiently, and reliably. If you need help sizing pumps, hoses, pipes, valves, or other process components, we’re happy to assist you in finding a solution that fits your application.
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