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Equivalent flow rate
Accurate flow rate conversion tool for ft³/min (CFM) to m³/h and m³/h to ft³/min
Convert cubic feet per minute to cubic metres per hour instantly with precise calculations. Includes bidirectional conversion, formula breakdown, and full reference table for 2026.
Professional flow rate conversion for HVAC, ventilation, engineering, and industrial use
Convert cubic feet per minute (ft³/min or CFM) to cubic metres per hour (m³/h) using the exact conversion factor of 1.69901. Our tool delivers accurate results for any flow rate value — from small ventilation fans to large industrial air handling units.
Switch seamlessly between ft³/min to m³/h and m³/h to ft³/min conversion modes. Get instant results alongside related flow rate units including litres per second, cubic metres per minute, and cubic feet per hour — all from a single input.
Essential for HVAC system design, ventilation engineering, air compressor specification, dust extraction systems, industrial fans, and any project where US/imperial airflow ratings must be compared to metric equipment specifications.
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Cubic feet per minute (ft³/min), commonly abbreviated as CFM, is the standard airflow unit used in the United States and widely found on HVAC equipment, air compressors, fans, and ventilation systems manufactured to imperial standards. Cubic metres per hour (m³/h) is the equivalent metric unit, used throughout Europe, Australia, and most of the world. Converting between these two units requires multiplying by the factor 1.69901, which combines the conversion from cubic feet to cubic metres (÷ 35.3147) and from minutes to hours (× 60).
This conversion is one of the most commonly needed in HVAC and mechanical engineering, as equipment from different countries uses different rating systems. A US-manufactured air handler rated at 500 CFM is delivering the same airflow as a European unit rated at 849.5 m³/h — accurate conversion ensures systems are correctly matched, sized, and specified.
1 CFM equals 1.699 m³/h — metric values are always higher than CFM for the same physical airflow.
Use this reference table for quick CFM to m³/h lookups. Values range from small household ventilation fans through to large industrial air handling systems, covering the full spectrum of practical flow rates.
| ft³/min (CFM) | m³/h | m³/min | Litres/sec (L/s) | ft³/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CFM | 1.699 m³/h | 0.02832 m³/min | 0.4719 L/s | 60 ft³/h |
| 5 CFM | 8.495 m³/h | 0.1416 m³/min | 2.360 L/s | 300 ft³/h |
| 10 CFM | 16.990 m³/h | 0.2832 m³/min | 4.719 L/s | 600 ft³/h |
| 25 CFM | 42.475 m³/h | 0.7079 m³/min | 11.798 L/s | 1,500 ft³/h |
| 50 CFM | 84.951 m³/h | 1.4158 m³/min | 23.597 L/s | 3,000 ft³/h |
| 100 CFM | 169.901 m³/h | 2.8317 m³/min | 47.194 L/s | 6,000 ft³/h |
| 200 CFM | 339.802 m³/h | 5.6634 m³/min | 94.389 L/s | 12,000 ft³/h |
| 500 CFM | 849.505 m³/h | 14.158 m³/min | 235.97 L/s | 30,000 ft³/h |
| 1,000 CFM | 1,699.01 m³/h | 28.317 m³/min | 471.95 L/s | 60,000 ft³/h |
| 2,000 CFM | 3,398.02 m³/h | 56.634 m³/min | 943.90 L/s | 120,000 ft³/h |
| 5,000 CFM | 8,495.06 m³/h | 141.584 m³/min | 2,359.7 L/s | 300,000 ft³/h |
| 10,000 CFM | 16,990.1 m³/h | 283.168 m³/min | 4,719.5 L/s | 600,000 ft³/h |
The conversion from CFM to m³/h involves two steps: converting cubic feet to cubic metres, and converting minutes to hours. Combined, these give a single multiplication factor of 1.69901. Here is the step-by-step guide for both directions:
The factor 1.69901 = (1 ft³ × 60 min) ÷ 35.3147. One cubic foot = 1/35.3147 cubic metres = 0.028317 m³. One minute = 1/60 hour. So 1 ft³/min = 0.028317 m³ × 60 min/h = 1.69901 m³/h.
CFM is the dominant airflow unit in North America, used on virtually all HVAC equipment, fans, air compressors, dust collectors, and ventilation systems manufactured or sold in the US. Meanwhile, m³/h is standard throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia. Engineers and contractors working on international projects, or specifying equipment from multiple global suppliers, must convert between these units constantly to ensure correct pressure and flow specifications are met across the entire system.
Air handling units, fan coil units, and ductwork are rated in CFM in the US but m³/h in Europe and Australia. Converting flow rates accurately is critical for correct duct sizing, fan selection, and ensuring adequate fresh air supply in commercial buildings.
Compressor output is universally rated in CFM in North America but m³/h or m³/min elsewhere. When sourcing compressors internationally or specifying pneumatic tool requirements, accurate CFM to m³/h conversion prevents costly under- or over-sizing of compressor plant.
Dust extraction, fume control, and process ventilation systems must meet health and safety airflow standards. These are often set in m³/h by European standards (EN 12779, ATEX) and in CFM by OSHA and ACGIH guidelines — conversion is essential for compliance verification.
ISO clean room standards specify air change rates in m³/h per m² of floor area, while much clean room equipment is rated in CFM. Converting between units ensures the correct number of air changes per hour is achieved for the required contamination control class.
Engine airflow, intercooler performance, and turbocharger specifications are frequently stated in CFM in US engineering documents but m³/h in European technical standards. Accurate conversion is essential when adapting components across different vehicle platforms.
Underground ventilation requirements are specified in m³/s or m³/h by international mining standards, but many Australian and US mines use CFM for fan ratings and airflow monitoring. Converting between these units keeps ventilation surveys consistent and compliant with regulations.
Here is a full reference table showing how cubic feet per minute relates to all other major flow rate units — an essential quick-reference for engineers, HVAC technicians, and industrial operators working across metric and imperial systems.
| Unit | Symbol | Equivalent in ft³/min (CFM) | Equivalent in m³/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic foot per minute | ft³/min (CFM) | 1 CFM | 1.69901 m³/h |
| Cubic foot per hour | ft³/h | 0.01667 CFM | 0.028317 m³/h |
| Cubic metre per hour | m³/h | 0.58858 CFM | 1 m³/h |
| Cubic metre per minute | m³/min | 35.3147 CFM | 60 m³/h |
| Cubic metre per second | m³/s | 2,118.88 CFM | 3,600 m³/h |
| Litre per second | L/s | 2.11888 CFM | 3.6 m³/h |
| Litre per minute | L/min | 0.035315 CFM | 0.06 m³/h |
| Litre per hour | L/h | 0.000588 CFM | 0.001 m³/h |
| Cubic yard per hour | yd³/h | 0.44977 CFM | 0.764555 m³/h |
| US gallon per minute | US gal/min | 0.13368 CFM | 0.227124 m³/h |
| US gallon per hour | US gal/h | 0.002228 CFM | 0.003785 m³/h |
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures defines all SI units including the cubic metre. Learn about the official definitions and standards for volume flow rate measurement used in engineering and science worldwide.
Visit BIPM →The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides authoritative conversion factors for all US customary and metric units, including complete flow rate tables for engineers and technicians.
Visit NIST →Explore our full library of free metric and imperial unit converters covering length, area, volume, pressure, energy, time, flow rate, and more. All tools are mobile-friendly and completely free to use.
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