Flow Rate Converter
Convert volumetric flow rate (volume per time). Exact factors, a quick reference table and worked examples.
100 L/min = 26.41721 gal/min
The same value in every unit
| Unit | Symbol | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic meter per second | m³/s | 0.001666667 |
| Cubic meter per minute | m³/min | 0.1 |
| Cubic meter per hour | m³/h | 6 |
| Liter per second | L/s | 1.666667 |
| Liter per minute | L/min | 100 |
| Milliliter per minute | mL/min | 100 000 |
| US gallon per minute | gal/min | 26.41721 |
| Cubic foot per minute | CFM | 3.531467 |
| Cubic foot per second | ft³/s | 0.05885778 |
How to convert flow rate units
Every flow rate unit is related to one base unit (Cubic meter per second, m³/s) by an exact factor. To convert, multiply by the factor of the unit you start from and divide by the factor of the unit you want.
value in new unit = value × (factor of old unit ÷ factor of new unit)
For example, 1 L/min = 1.66667 × 10⁻⁵ m³/s and 1 gal/min = 6.30902 × 10⁻⁵ m³/s, so 1 L/min = 0.2641721 gal/min.
Quick reference table
How many of the units in the column headings make up one of the unit in each row.
| One… | = m³/s | = m³/min | = m³/h | = L/s | = L/min | = mL/min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 m³/s | 1 | 60 | 3 600 | 1 000 | 60 000 | 60 000 000 |
| 1 m³/min | 0.01666667 | 1 | 60 | 16.66667 | 1 000 | 1 000 000 |
| 1 m³/h | 0.0002777778 | 0.01666667 | 1 | 0.2777778 | 16.66667 | 16 666.67 |
| 1 L/s | 0.001 | 0.06 | 3.6 | 1 | 60 | 60 000 |
| 1 L/min | 1.66667 × 10⁻⁵ | 0.001 | 0.06 | 0.01666667 | 1 | 1 000 |
| 1 mL/min | 1.66667 × 10⁻⁸ | 1 × 10⁻⁶ | 6 × 10⁻⁵ | 1.66667 × 10⁻⁵ | 0.001 | 1 |
| 1 gal/min | 6.30902 × 10⁻⁵ | 0.003785412 | 0.2271247 | 0.0630902 | 3.785412 | 3 785.412 |
| 1 CFM | 0.0004719474 | 0.02831685 | 1.699011 | 0.4719474 | 28.31685 | 28 316.85 |
| 1 ft³/s | 0.02831685 | 1.699011 | 101.9406 | 28.31685 | 1 699.011 | 1 699 011 |
Common values: L/min to gal/min
| Liter per minute (L/min) | US gallon per minute (gal/min) |
|---|---|
| 1 L/min | 0.2641721 gal/min |
| 2 L/min | 0.5283441 gal/min |
| 5 L/min | 1.32086 gal/min |
| 10 L/min | 2.641721 gal/min |
| 20 L/min | 5.283441 gal/min |
| 50 L/min | 13.2086 gal/min |
| 100 L/min | 26.41721 gal/min |
| 200 L/min | 52.83441 gal/min |
| 500 L/min | 132.086 gal/min |
| 1 000 L/min | 264.1721 gal/min |
Worked examples
Convert 100 L/min to gal/min
- 1 L/min = 1.66667 × 10⁻⁵ m³/s and 1 gal/min = 6.30902 × 10⁻⁵ m³/s.
- 100 × 1.66667 × 10⁻⁵ ÷ 6.30902 × 10⁻⁵ = 26.41721 gal/min.
Convert 50 m³/h to m³/s
- 1 m³/h = 0.0002777778 m³/s and 1 m³/s = 1 m³/s.
- 50 × 0.0002777778 ÷ 1 = 0.01388889 m³/s.
Convert 250 ft³/s to m³/min
- 1 ft³/s = 0.02831685 m³/s and 1 m³/min = 0.01666667 m³/s.
- 250 × 0.02831685 ÷ 0.01666667 = 424.7527 m³/min.
The units explained
| Unit | Symbol | Exact factor | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic meter per second | m³/s | 1 m³/s = 1 m³/s | SI unit; rivers, large ducts |
| Cubic meter per minute | m³/min | 1 m³/min = 0.01666667 m³/s | Fans and compressors (metric) |
| Cubic meter per hour | m³/h | 1 m³/h = 0.0002777778 m³/s | Pumps, HVAC, process |
| Liter per second | L/s | 1 L/s = 0.001 m³/s | Water supply, pumps |
| Liter per minute | L/min | 1 L/min = 1.66667 × 10⁻⁵ m³/s | Hydraulics, small pumps |
| Milliliter per minute | mL/min | 1 mL/min = 1.66667 × 10⁻⁸ m³/s | Lab, dosing, medical |
| US gallon per minute | gal/min | 1 gal/min = 6.30902 × 10⁻⁵ m³/s | US pumps and plumbing |
| Cubic foot per minute | CFM | 1 CFM = 0.0004719474 m³/s | US air flow, fans, compressors |
| Cubic foot per second | ft³/s | 1 ft³/s = 0.02831685 m³/s | US rivers, large flows |
Key facts
- Q = A × v: flow equals cross-section area times average speed.
- 1 gal/min (US) = 3.785 L/min. 1 CFM = 28.317 L/min = 1.699 m³/h.
- Compressors are rated by free-air delivery (CFM or L/min at a stated pressure).
Related converters, guides and tools
- Other converters: Pressure converter, Density converter, Temperature converter, Angles converter, Time converter, Stress converter, Strain converter, Velocity converter, Volume converter, Length converter, Mass converter, Force converter, Torque converter, Power converter, Energy converter.
- Guides: Motion Control, Actuators.
- Unit Conversions: every converter on one tabbed page that remembers the tabs you use.
- My Dashboard (members): put this converter on your own workspace as a widget beside the others.
FAQ
How many US gallon per minute units are in one Liter per minute?
1 L/min = 0.2641721 gal/min.
How do I convert L/min to gal/min?
Multiply by 0.2641721 (the factor 1.66667 × 10⁻⁵ ÷ 6.30902 × 10⁻⁵). To go back, divide by 0.2641721 or multiply by 3.785412.
What is the cubic meter per second (m³/s) used for?
SI unit; rivers, large ducts.
What is the cubic meter per minute (m³/min) used for?
Fans and compressors (metric).
Are the conversion factors exact?
Where a unit is defined exactly (the inch is 25.4 mm, the pound is 0.45359237 kg, standard gravity is 9.80665 m/s²) the factor is exact; others are given to ten or more digits. Results are shown to seven significant digits.
References
- NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), and NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C (general tables of units of measurement).
- BIPM, The International System of Units (SI Brochure), 9th edition; ISO 80000 (quantities and units).
Last reviewed: November 2026.