Convert Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per second
Instantly convert Cubic feet per minute (CFM) to Cubic meters per second (m³/s) with our free online calculator.
Formula: CFM to m³/s — multiply by 4.7195e-4
Reference Table
| Cubic feet per minute (CFM) | Cubic meters per second (m³/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.000471947 |
| 5 | 0.00235973 |
| 10 | 0.00471947 |
| 25 | 0.0117987 |
| 50 | 0.0235973 |
| 100 | 0.0471947 |
How to Convert Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per second
Formula
To convert Cubic feet per minute (CFM) to Cubic meters per second (m³/s): multiply by 4.7195e-4
Step-by-Step
- Start with your value in Cubic feet per minute (CFM).
- Multiply by 4.7195e-4 to perform the conversion.
- The result is your value expressed in Cubic meters per second (m³/s).
Conversion Factor
1 CFM = 0.000471947 m³/s
Reverse Factor
1 m³/s = 2118.88 CFM
Worked Example
Convert 25 Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per second: 25 CFM = 0.0117987 m³/s
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 second (m³/s)
The SI unit of volumetric flow rate (ISO 80000-4 §4-30) — the volume of fluid passing a fixed cross-section per unit time. m³/s is the universal unit in fluid-dynamics research (Reynolds and Navier-Stokes work), large-pipeline engineering (offshore oil-export risers, district-energy distribution mains), river and flood hydrology (where it is conventionally called the "cumec" — for "cubic meter per second" — in technical writing), large-scale wastewater treatment, and industrial process flow simulation (Aspen HYSYS, CHEMCAD, OLGA). Reference scale: the Amazon River average discharge is ~209,000 m³/s, the Mississippi ~16,800 m³/s, a major dam spillway flood release ~5,000-15,000 m³/s. Most practical applications use smaller units (L/s, m³/hr, GPM) because m³/s values are typically very small for human-scale equipment — a household faucet is ~0.0002 m³/s. Converting to gallons per minute (US): multiply by 15,850. Converting to L/s: multiply by 1,000.
Quick Facts
- 1 Cubic foot per minute equals 0.000471947 Cubic meters per second
- 1 Cubic meter per second equals 2118.88 Cubic feet per minute
- Cubic foot per minute is a unit of volumetric flow rate
- Cubic meter per second 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 second belongs to the metric system
Common Cubic foot per minute to Cubic meter per second Conversions
| Cubic feet per minute (CFM) | Cubic meters per second (m³/s) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.00000471947 |
| 0.1 | 0.0000471947 |
| 0.25 | 0.000117987 |
| 0.5 | 0.000235974 |
| 1 | 0.000471947 |
| 2 | 0.000943894 |
| 3 | 0.00141584 |
| 5 | 0.00235973 |
| 10 | 0.00471947 |
| 15 | 0.0070792 |
| 20 | 0.00943894 |
| 25 | 0.0117987 |
| 50 | 0.0235973 |
| 75 | 0.035396 |
| 100 | 0.0471947 |
| 250 | 0.117987 |
| 500 | 0.235974 |
| 1000 | 0.471947 |
| 5000 | 2.35974 |
| 10000 | 4.71947 |
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 second
The Cubic meter per second (symbol: m³/s) is a unit of volumetric flow rate. The SI unit of volumetric flow rate (ISO 80000-4 §4-30) — the volume of fluid passing a fixed cross-section per unit time. m³/s is the universal unit in fluid-dynamics research (Reynolds and Navier-Stokes work), large-pipeline engineering (offshore oil-export risers, district-energy distribution mains), river and flood hydrology (where it is conventionally called the "cumec" — for "cubic meter per second" — in technical writing), large-scale wastewater treatment, and industrial process flow simulation (Aspen HYSYS, CHEMCAD, OLGA). Reference scale: the Amazon River average discharge is ~209,000 m³/s, the Mississippi ~16,800 m³/s, a major dam spillway flood release ~5,000-15,000 m³/s. Most practical applications use smaller units (L/s, m³/hr, GPM) because m³/s values are typically very small for human-scale equipment — a household faucet is ~0.0002 m³/s. Converting to gallons per minute (US): multiply by 15,850. Converting to L/s: multiply by 1,000.
It belongs to the metric measurement system.
Cubic meters per second are commonly used in plumbing, HVAC systems, and chemical process engineering.
Why Convert Cubic feet per minute to Cubic meters per second?
Converting between Cubic feet per minute and Cubic meters per second 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 second?
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 second, multiply by 4.7195e-4. For example, 25 CFM equals 0.0117987 m³/s.
How many Cubic meters per second are in 1 Cubic foot per minute?
There are 0.000471947 Cubic meters per second in 1 Cubic foot per minute.
How many Cubic feet per minute are in 1 Cubic meter per second?
There are 2118.88 Cubic feet per minute in 1 Cubic meter per second.
What is the formula for Cubic foot per minute to Cubic meter per second conversion?
The formula is: multiply by 4.7195e-4. This means 1 CFM = 0.000471947 m³/s.
Is a Cubic foot per minute bigger than a Cubic meter per second?
Yes. One Cubic foot per minute is larger than one Cubic meter per second because 1 CFM equals 0.000471947 m³/s, which is less than 1.
When do you need to convert between Cubic feet per minute and Cubic meters per second?
The SI unit of volumetric flow rate (ISO 80000-4 §4-30) — the volume of fluid passing a fixed cross-section per unit time. Cubic foot per minute and Cubic meter per second 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.