Flow Rate Conversion Calculator
Convert between liters per minute, cubic meters per hour, gallons per minute and other flow units with our accurate online converter
Flow Rate Converter
Convert between common volumetric flow units
Understanding Flow Rate Conversion
Flow rate measurement is essential across numerous industries including engineering, manufacturing, plumbing, and environmental science. Our flow rate converter helps professionals and students quickly convert between different units of volumetric flow rate.
What is Volumetric Flow Rate?
Volumetric flow rate measures the volume of fluid that passes through a given surface per unit time. It’s typically represented by the symbol Q and measured in units like cubic meters per second (m³/s) or gallons per minute (GPM).
Common Flow Rate Units and Their Applications
- Liters per second (L/s) – Commonly used in scientific contexts and water flow measurement
- Liters per minute (L/min) – Frequently used in medical equipment and smaller fluid systems
- Cubic meters per hour (m³/h) – Standard in industrial applications and water treatment facilities
- Gallons per minute (GPM) – Predominantly used in the US for plumbing and irrigation systems
- Cubic feet per minute (CFM) – Standard for air flow measurement in HVAC systems
Conversion Formulas
Our converter uses precise conversion factors to ensure accurate results:
- 1 Liter per second (L/s) = 60 Liters per minute (L/min)
- 1 Cubic meter per hour (m³/h) = 0.2778 Liters per second (L/s)
- 1 Gallon per minute (GPM) = 0.06309 Liters per second (L/s)
- 1 Cubic foot per minute (CFM) = 0.4719 Liters per second (L/s)
Practical Applications of Flow Rate Conversion
Flow rate conversion is essential in various scenarios:
- HVAC System Design – Converting between CFM and m³/h for international projects
- Water Treatment Plants – Measuring large volumes of water in m³/h while using L/min for chemical dosing
- Industrial Processes – Standardizing flow measurements across equipment from different countries
- Academic Research – Converting experimental data to publishable units
Frequently Asked Questions
Flow rate measures the volume of fluid passing through a point per unit time. It’s critical in engineering, plumbing, HVAC, and manufacturing to ensure systems operate efficiently and safely. Proper flow rate calculation helps in designing systems that meet specific requirements while minimizing energy consumption and costs.
To convert L/min to m³/h, multiply the value by 0.06. For example, 100 L/min equals 6 m³/h. Our converter automates this calculation for accurate results. The formula is: m³/h = L/min × 0.06. This conversion is particularly useful in water management and industrial processes where different units are standard.
GPM (gallons per minute) is the imperial unit while L/min (liters per minute) is metric. 1 GPM equals approximately 3.785 L/min. The exact conversion factor is 1 GPM = 3.78541 L/min. This distinction is important when working with international specifications or equipment from different measurement systems.
Flow rate is measured using flow meters like turbine, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, or orifice plate meters. The method depends on fluid type, required accuracy, and application conditions. Common industrial flow meters can measure with accuracy up to ±0.5% of reading, while specialized laboratory instruments can achieve even higher precision.
Several factors influence flow rate including pipe diameter, fluid viscosity, pressure differential, pipe length, and surface roughness. The Hagen-Poiseuille equation describes laminar flow in pipes, while turbulent flow requires more complex calculations accounting for these variables.
Yes, our converter works for both liquid and gas flow rates when dealing with volumetric measurements. However, for accurate gas flow calculations in process engineering, additional factors like temperature, pressure, and gas composition may need to be considered for mass flow rate conversions.
Flow Rate Conversion Tables
Common Liquid Flow Conversions
Reference table for quick conversions between frequently used units:
Water Flow Conversion Factors
For water at standard temperature (20°C/68°F):
- 1 GPM = 3.785 L/min = 0.227 m³/h
- 1 L/min = 0.264 GPM = 0.06 m³/h
- 1 m³/h = 4.403 GPM = 16.667 L/min
Air Flow Conversion Factors
For air at standard temperature and pressure (STP):
- 1 CFM = 1.699 m³/h = 28.317 L/min
- 1 m³/h = 0.589 CFM = 16.667 L/min
- 1 L/s = 2.119 CFM = 3.6 m³/h
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For conversions involving liquid flow, try our Volumetric Flow Rate Converter. This tool simplifies flow rate calculations. If you need precise flow measurements, a Volumetric Flow Rate Converter is your best choice. Explore more at earnapki.com, where our Volumetric Flow Rate Converter is just one of the many tools we offer.