Flow Rate ConverterFree online other calculator — instant results, no sign-up
Convert standard flow rate units.
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About the Flow Rate Converter
The Flow Rate Converter converts volumetric flow rates between liters per minute (L/min), US gallons per minute (US gal/min), and cubic meters per second (m³/s). Select the starting and target units to express the same volume flowing per unit of time in a different unit. With the default settings, 1 L/min is displayed as 0.000017 m³/s.
- Value
- The numerical volumetric flow rate to convert, expressed in the selected From unit and defaulting to 1.
- From
- The unit of the entered flow rate, chosen from L/min, US gal/min, or m³/s, with L/min selected by default.
- To
- The desired output unit, chosen from m³/s, US gal/min, or L/min, with m³/s selected by default.
Formula and method
Q_to = Q_from × (c_from / c_to), where c(L/min) = 0.001/60, c(US gal/min) = 0.003785411784/60, and c(m³/s) = 1. For the default inputs: Q_to = 1 × [(0.001/60)/1] = 0.000016666… m³/s, displayed as 0.000017 m³/s.
- Q_fromThe numerical flow rate entered in Value, measured in the From unit.
- Q_toThe converted numerical flow rate, measured in the To unit.
- c_fromThe factor that converts one unit of the selected From flow rate into m³/s.
- c_toThe factor that converts one unit of the selected To flow rate into m³/s.
- c(unit)The m³/s conversion factor for the named flow rate unit, using 0.001 m³ per liter, 0.003785411784 m³ per US liquid gallon, and 60 seconds per minute.
Multiply the entered value by its From-unit factor to express the flow rate in m³/s, then divide by the To-unit factor. This changes only the unit representation, not the physical flow rate. The default conversion divides 1 liter per minute by 1,000 to obtain cubic meters per minute and then by 60 to obtain cubic meters per second; the example result is rounded to six decimal places.
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values and the results it actually produces for them.
Inputs
- Value1
- FromL/min
- Tom³/s
Results
- Result0.000017 m³/s
How to use the Flow Rate Converter
- 1Enter the flow rate in Value; leave it at 1 to follow the default example.
- 2Select the original flow rate unit in From; use L/min for the default example.
- 3Select the desired flow rate unit in To; use m³/s for the default example.
- 4Read the converted Result and its unit: the default inputs display 0.000017 m³/s.
- 5When using the result in further calculations, account for display rounding rather than treating the displayed decimal as exact.
Reading your result
The Result row gives the converted volumetric flow rate followed by the selected To unit. For the default inputs, Result = 0.000017 m³/s represents the same flow as 1 L/min after rounding. It describes volume passing per second, not total volume or fluid speed.
Limitations
This tool converts volumetric flow units only; it does not calculate mass flow, velocity, pressure loss, or total transferred volume. US gal/min means US liquid gallons, not Imperial gallons. No fluid properties are needed for a direct unit conversion, but the tool does not adjust gas volumes for temperature or pressure or convert actual flow to standardized gas-flow conditions. The default result is rounded, so its displayed digits should not be interpreted as an exact conversion or as measurement precision.
Common questions
Why does 1 L/min display as 0.000017 m³/s?+
A liter is 0.001 m³ and a minute is 60 seconds, so 1 L/min equals 0.001/60 m³/s, or 0.000016666… m³/s. Rounding to six decimal places gives 0.000017 m³/s.
Does US gal/min also cover Imperial gallons per minute?+
No. The US gal/min option uses the US liquid gallon, defined as 3.785411784 liters. Imperial gallons are a different volume and are not a supported unit.
Can this converter determine fluid speed from L/min?+
No. L/min measures volume per time, whereas speed measures distance per time. Calculating average flow speed also requires the pipe's internal cross-sectional area, using speed = volumetric flow rate ÷ area with consistent units.
Does converting a gas flow to m³/s put it at standard temperature and pressure?+
No. The conversion preserves the original volume basis and only changes units. Adjusting a gas flow to standard conditions requires additional temperature, pressure, and potentially gas-property information.
Does the calculator save my information?+
Calculations run in your browser. While signed in, inputs and results are automatically recorded in account history; saving a result creates a separate saved record.
Further reading
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Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, medical or legal advice.