Volume Flow Rate Converter

Convert volumetric flow rate between m³/s, m³/h, L/s, L/min, mL/s, US and UK gallons per minute, ft³/s, ft³/min, and barrels per day.

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Volume flow rate converter Convert positive volumetric flow rates between metric, imperial, and industrial units for piping, pumps, ventilation, and process work.

Common presets

US and UK gallons differ

US and imperial gallons are not interchangeable. This converter keeps separate `gpm (US)` and `gpm (UK)` outputs so water, fuel, and process values do not get mixed.

Volume rate only

This page converts volumetric flow only. It does not solve pressure drop, velocity, pipe sizing, or mass flow from fluid density.

Enter a volume flow rate Provide a non-negative volumetric flow to compare the supported unit systems.

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Fluid Systems

Volume flow rate converter: m³/s, L/min, gpm, cfm, and industrial flow units explained

A volume flow rate converter rewrites the same volumetric throughput in the unit your pipe schedule, pump curve, ventilation note, or process report expects. Engineering documents often mix SI, US customary, UK imperial, and industry-specific units, which makes direct translation valuable before any design or troubleshooting step.

What volumetric flow rate means

Volumetric flow rate measures volume per unit time. It tells you how much space a liquid or gas occupies as it moves through a system, not how much mass is moving.

That is why the same flow can be written as m³/s, L/min, ft³/min, or gallons per minute. The physical throughput is unchanged even though the reporting scale is different.

Q = V / t

Defines volumetric flow rate as volume divided by time.

1 m³ = 1,000 L

Links the most common SI volume scales used in flow reporting.

1 ft³/min = 0.0004719 m³/s

Connects a common HVAC and duct-flow unit to the SI base form.

Why gallon labels must stay explicit

US gallons and UK imperial gallons are different sizes, so their gallons-per-minute values are not interchangeable. A figure reported in US gpm will be wrong if it is treated as imperial gpm without conversion.

This converter keeps those units separate on purpose so pump, water, fuel, and process values are translated without hiding that distinction.

Volume flow is not mass flow

A volumetric flow rate does not tell you mass flow unless you also know the fluid density under the relevant conditions. That distinction matters especially for gases and for liquids whose temperature or composition changes.

Gas-industry flow values can also depend on reference pressure and temperature. Use this page for unit translation of a stated volumetric rate, not as a substitute for a full process calculation.

Further reading

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between volume flow and mass flow?

Volume flow measures how much volume moves per unit time. Mass flow measures how much mass moves per unit time. You need density to convert between them.

 Why are US gpm and UK gpm different?

The underlying gallon sizes differ. A US gallon is smaller than an imperial gallon, so the same gpm label can represent different actual flow unless the system is identified clearly.

 Is cfm the same as ft³/min?

Yes. CFM is the common abbreviation for cubic feet per minute, a standard unit in ventilation and air-handling work.

 Can I use this converter for gas-flow design?

Use it for translating a stated volumetric unit, but not for full gas design decisions. Gas-flow calculations often depend on reference pressure, temperature, and whether the value is actual or standard flow.

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