1 m³/s in every unit
Values update with the converter above. Select a row to open that conversion's detailed page.
Popular conversions
2 pairsCubic Meter per Second ↔ US Gallons per Minute (GPM)
m³/s ↔ gpm
Cubic Meter per Second ↔ Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)
m³/s ↔ cfm
Unit guides
3 unitsDetailed guide to this category
Volumetric flow rate measures how much fluid volume passes through a section per unit of time.
CFM (cubic feet per minute) and GPM (gallons per minute) are the standard practical units in US HVAC and pump industries.
- Physical quantity
- Volumetric flow rate
- SI unit
- Cubic meter per second
- Common practical units
- CFM, GPM
- Typical use
- Ventilation and pump capacity
What is volumetric flow rate?
Volumetric flow rate describes the volume of fluid passing a point per unit of time.
It is used for fan and ventilation capacity (CFM) and pump/irrigation flow (GPM).
CFM, GPM and cubic meters per second
Cubic meters per second is the SI form used in scientific and engineering calculations. Cubic feet per minute (CFM) is widely used for air movement and ventilation, while gallons per minute (GPM) is common for pumps and water systems.
The gallon standard matters: a US gallon and an imperial gallon have different volumes. Select the explicitly labelled unit when converting specifications from another region.
Using flow-rate conversions
Use the same time basis on both sides of a comparison. A pump rating in gallons per minute cannot be compared directly with a requirement in cubic meters per hour until the volume and time units have both been converted.
Flow rate describes how much passes through a system, not pressure. Pipe size, resistance and pressure conditions still affect the flow a real installation can deliver.
Unit comparison table
| Unit | Symbol | SI equivalent | System | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic Meter per Second | m³/s | SI reference unit | SI | Engineering and large process systems |
| Cubic Feet per Minute | CFM | ≈ 0.000471947 m³/s | US customary | HVAC, fans and ventilation |
| US Gallons per Minute | GPM | ≈ 0.0000630902 m³/s | US customary | Pumps, plumbing and irrigation |
Units
| Unit | Symbol | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic Meter per Second | m³/s | View unit guide |
| Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) | cfm | View unit guide |
| Gallons per Minute (GPM) | gpm | View unit guide |