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Convert Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per hour

Instantly convert Cubic feet per minute (CFM) to Cubic meters per hour (m³/hr) with our free online calculator.

Reviewed by Christopher FloiedUpdated

Formula: CFM to m³/hrmultiply by 1.69901

Reference Table

Cubic feet per minute (CFM)Cubic meters per hour (m³/hr)
11.69901
58.49505
1016.9901
2542.4752
5084.9505
100169.901

How to Convert Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per hour

Formula

To convert Cubic feet per minute (CFM) to Cubic meters per hour (m³/hr): multiply by 1.69901

Step-by-Step

  1. Start with your value in Cubic feet per minute (CFM).
  2. Multiply by 1.69901 to perform the conversion.
  3. The result is your value expressed in Cubic meters per hour (m³/hr).

Conversion Factor

1 CFM = 1.69901 m³/hr

Reverse Factor

1 m³/hr = 0.588578 CFM

Worked Example

Convert 25 Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per hour: 25 CFM = 42.4752 m³/hr

About Cubic foot per minute (CFM)

An imperial flow-rate unit dominant in US HVAC, dust collection, and compressed-air system engineering. CFM is the working unit for air-handler capacity (ASHRAE 62.1, AMCA 210), residential duct sizing (Manual D ACCA design), bathroom and kitchen exhaust-fan ratings (the Home Ventilation Institute Certified Performance Ratings list each fan model's HVI-tested CFM), compressed-air-system sizing (compressor manufacturer ratings under ISO 1217 are dual-quoted as SCFM and CFM displacement), and dust-collection ducting per OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and NFPA 654. Reference values: a residential bath fan is 50-110 CFM (HVI minimum 50 CFM for code), a central-AC air handler for a 2,000 ft² US home delivers 800-1,200 CFM (1 CFM per ft² is a typical Manual J residential figure), a large industrial centrifugal compressor 5,000-20,000 SCFM. Convert CFM to m³/hr by multiplying by 1.699; to L/s by multiplying by 0.4719; to m³/s by multiplying by 4.7195 × 10⁻⁴.

About Cubic meter per hour (m³/hr)

A metric flow-rate unit equal to exactly 1/3,600 m³/s. m³/hr is the de-facto standard unit for industrial process flows in metric countries, HVAC air handling (DIN EN 16798 / ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation calcs), pump sizing in European pump curves (KSB, Grundfos, Wilo specifications), natural-gas metering and the gas grid balance reports (TSO data is in Mm³/hr), municipal water-treatment plant capacity, and biogas/anaerobic-digester output. European building-code minimum air-exchange rates (e.g., German DIN 1946 fresh-air requirements per occupant) and Eurovent-certified fan-coil ratings are almost always expressed in m³/hr. Practical reference: a typical residential heat-recovery ventilation unit moves 100-400 m³/hr; an industrial centrifugal pump might be rated at 50-5,000 m³/hr. Convert to GPM by multiplying by 4.403, to CFM by multiplying by 0.5886, to L/s by dividing by 3.6.

Quick Facts

  • 1 Cubic foot per minute equals 1.69901 Cubic meters per hour
  • 1 Cubic meter per hour equals 0.588578 Cubic feet per minute
  • Cubic foot per minute is a unit of volumetric flow rate
  • Cubic meter per hour is a unit of volumetric flow rate
  • This conversion is commonly used in plumbing, HVAC systems, and chemical process engineering
  • The Cubic foot per minute belongs to the imperial system
  • The Cubic meter per hour belongs to the metric system

Common Cubic foot per minute to Cubic meter per hour Conversions

Cubic feet per minute (CFM)Cubic meters per hour (m³/hr)
0.010.0169901
0.10.169901
0.250.424752
0.50.849505
11.69901
23.39802
35.09703
58.49505
1016.9901
1525.4851
2033.9802
2542.4752
5084.9505
75127.426
100169.901
250424.752
500849.505
10001699.01
50008495.05
1000016990.1

Understanding Cubic feet per minute

The Cubic foot per minute (symbol: CFM) is a unit of volumetric flow rate. An imperial flow-rate unit dominant in US HVAC, dust collection, and compressed-air system engineering. CFM is the working unit for air-handler capacity (ASHRAE 62.1, AMCA 210), residential duct sizing (Manual D ACCA design), bathroom and kitchen exhaust-fan ratings (the Home Ventilation Institute Certified Performance Ratings list each fan model's HVI-tested CFM), compressed-air-system sizing (compressor manufacturer ratings under ISO 1217 are dual-quoted as SCFM and CFM displacement), and dust-collection ducting per OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and NFPA 654. Reference values: a residential bath fan is 50-110 CFM (HVI minimum 50 CFM for code), a central-AC air handler for a 2,000 ft² US home delivers 800-1,200 CFM (1 CFM per ft² is a typical Manual J residential figure), a large industrial centrifugal compressor 5,000-20,000 SCFM. Convert CFM to m³/hr by multiplying by 1.699; to L/s by multiplying by 0.4719; to m³/s by multiplying by 4.7195 × 10⁻⁴.

It belongs to the imperial measurement system.

Cubic feet per minute are commonly used in plumbing, HVAC systems, and chemical process engineering.

Understanding Cubic meters per hour

The Cubic meter per hour (symbol: m³/hr) is a unit of volumetric flow rate. A metric flow-rate unit equal to exactly 1/3,600 m³/s. m³/hr is the de-facto standard unit for industrial process flows in metric countries, HVAC air handling (DIN EN 16798 / ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation calcs), pump sizing in European pump curves (KSB, Grundfos, Wilo specifications), natural-gas metering and the gas grid balance reports (TSO data is in Mm³/hr), municipal water-treatment plant capacity, and biogas/anaerobic-digester output. European building-code minimum air-exchange rates (e.g., German DIN 1946 fresh-air requirements per occupant) and Eurovent-certified fan-coil ratings are almost always expressed in m³/hr. Practical reference: a typical residential heat-recovery ventilation unit moves 100-400 m³/hr; an industrial centrifugal pump might be rated at 50-5,000 m³/hr. Convert to GPM by multiplying by 4.403, to CFM by multiplying by 0.5886, to L/s by dividing by 3.6.

It belongs to the metric measurement system.

Cubic meters per hour are commonly used in plumbing, HVAC systems, and chemical process engineering.

Why Convert Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per hour?

Converting between Cubic feet per minute and Cubic meters per hour is a frequent requirement for engineers, scientists, and students working with volumetric flow rate values. Different industries and regions favour different unit systems, so having a dependable conversion tool saves time and prevents errors in technical calculations. Whether you are verifying a specification sheet, cross-checking simulation results, or preparing a report for an international audience, accurate volumetric flow rate conversion is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per hour?

An imperial flow-rate unit dominant in US HVAC, dust collection, and compressed-air system engineering. To convert Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per hour, multiply by 1.69901. For example, 25 CFM equals 42.4752 m³/hr.

How many Cubic meters per hour are in 1 Cubic foot per minute?

There are 1.69901 Cubic meters per hour in 1 Cubic foot per minute.

How many Cubic feet per minute are in 1 Cubic meter per hour?

There are 0.588578 Cubic feet per minute in 1 Cubic meter per hour.

What is the formula for Cubic foot per minute to Cubic meter per hour conversion?

The formula is: multiply by 1.69901. This means 1 CFM = 1.69901 m³/hr.

Is a Cubic foot per minute bigger than a Cubic meter per hour?

No. One Cubic foot per minute is smaller than one Cubic meter per hour because 1 CFM equals 1.69901 m³/hr, which is greater than 1.

When do you need to convert between Cubic feet per minute and Cubic meters per hour?

A metric flow-rate unit equal to exactly 1/3,600 m³/s. Cubic foot per minute and Cubic meter per hour are both volumetric flow units, so conversion comes up whenever one source of information uses one unit and another uses the other — a classic cross-reference challenge in engineering, trade, travel, and everyday life.

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