Convert Cubic feet per second to Cubic meters per second
Instantly convert Cubic feet per second (ft³/s) to Cubic meters per second (m³/s) with our free online calculator.
Formula: ft³/s to m³/s — multiply by 0.0283168
Reference Table
| Cubic feet per second (ft³/s) | Cubic meters per second (m³/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0283168 |
| 5 | 0.141584 |
| 10 | 0.283168 |
| 25 | 0.70792 |
| 50 | 1.41584 |
| 100 | 2.83168 |
How to Convert Cubic feet per second to Cubic meters per second
Formula
To convert Cubic feet per second (ft³/s) to Cubic meters per second (m³/s): multiply by 0.0283168
Step-by-Step
- Start with your value in Cubic feet per second (ft³/s).
- Multiply by 0.0283168 to perform the conversion.
- The result is your value expressed in Cubic meters per second (m³/s).
Conversion Factor
1 ft³/s = 0.0283168 m³/s
Reverse Factor
1 m³/s = 35.3147 ft³/s
Worked Example
Convert 25 Cubic feet per second to Cubic meters per second: 25 ft³/s = 0.70792 m³/s
About Cubic foot per second (ft³/s)
An imperial flow-rate unit used predominantly in US hydrology, river-discharge measurement, water-resource engineering, and large-scale waterworks design. Also called "cfs" or the colloquial "cusec" in US water-resources jargon. The US Geological Survey (USGS) StreamStats and the National Water Information System publish all US river streamgage data in cfs — a federal reporting standard since the 1950s. US Army Corps of Engineers flood-routing analyses, FEMA flood-insurance studies, and state water-rights records (especially in the western US under prior-appropriation doctrine) all measure discharge in cfs. Reference values: a small headwater stream might flow 5-20 cfs at base flow and 200-500 cfs during a 100-year storm; the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam is typically 8,000-25,000 cfs; the lower Mississippi runs 350,000-600,000 cfs depending on the season. 1 ft³/s = 7.4805 US gallons per second = 449 GPM = 28.32 L/s = 0.02832 m³/s.
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 second equals 0.0283168 Cubic meters per second
- 1 Cubic meter per second equals 35.3147 Cubic feet per second
- Cubic foot per second 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 second belongs to the imperial system
- The Cubic meter per second belongs to the metric system
Common Cubic foot per second to Cubic meter per second Conversions
| Cubic feet per second (ft³/s) | Cubic meters per second (m³/s) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.000283168 |
| 0.1 | 0.00283168 |
| 0.25 | 0.0070792 |
| 0.5 | 0.0141584 |
| 1 | 0.0283168 |
| 2 | 0.0566336 |
| 3 | 0.0849504 |
| 5 | 0.141584 |
| 10 | 0.283168 |
| 15 | 0.424752 |
| 20 | 0.566336 |
| 25 | 0.70792 |
| 50 | 1.41584 |
| 75 | 2.12376 |
| 100 | 2.83168 |
| 250 | 7.0792 |
| 500 | 14.1584 |
| 1000 | 28.3168 |
| 5000 | 141.584 |
| 10000 | 283.168 |
Understanding Cubic feet per second
The Cubic foot per second (symbol: ft³/s) is a unit of volumetric flow rate. An imperial flow-rate unit used predominantly in US hydrology, river-discharge measurement, water-resource engineering, and large-scale waterworks design. Also called "cfs" or the colloquial "cusec" in US water-resources jargon. The US Geological Survey (USGS) StreamStats and the National Water Information System publish all US river streamgage data in cfs — a federal reporting standard since the 1950s. US Army Corps of Engineers flood-routing analyses, FEMA flood-insurance studies, and state water-rights records (especially in the western US under prior-appropriation doctrine) all measure discharge in cfs. Reference values: a small headwater stream might flow 5-20 cfs at base flow and 200-500 cfs during a 100-year storm; the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam is typically 8,000-25,000 cfs; the lower Mississippi runs 350,000-600,000 cfs depending on the season. 1 ft³/s = 7.4805 US gallons per second = 449 GPM = 28.32 L/s = 0.02832 m³/s.
It belongs to the imperial measurement system.
Cubic feet per second 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 second to Cubic meters per second?
Converting between Cubic feet per second 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 second to Cubic meters per second?
An imperial flow-rate unit used predominantly in US hydrology, river-discharge measurement, water-resource engineering, and large-scale waterworks design. To convert Cubic feet per second to Cubic meters per second, multiply by 0.0283168. For example, 25 ft³/s equals 0.70792 m³/s.
How many Cubic meters per second are in 1 Cubic foot per second?
There are 0.0283168 Cubic meters per second in 1 Cubic foot per second.
How many Cubic feet per second are in 1 Cubic meter per second?
There are 35.3147 Cubic feet per second in 1 Cubic meter per second.
What is the formula for Cubic foot per second to Cubic meter per second conversion?
The formula is: multiply by 0.0283168. This means 1 ft³/s = 0.0283168 m³/s.
Is a Cubic foot per second bigger than a Cubic meter per second?
Yes. One Cubic foot per second is larger than one Cubic meter per second because 1 ft³/s equals 0.0283168 m³/s, which is less than 1.
When do you need to convert between Cubic feet per second 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 second 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.