Verification: factors follow standard unit definitions; round for display only.

ft³/min to L/s

Convert ft³/min to L/s when US fan nameplates, compressed-air regulators, or CFM test sheets quote cubic feet per minute but your SI hydraulic model, EU pump datasheet, or L/min-derived balance needs liters per second.

Cubic feet per minute (ft³/min, commonly abbreviated CFM in US air systems) and liters per second (L/s) both describe volumetric flow rate. The conversion is a single catalog ratio because both units map to the same m³/s anchor on this site.

From the shared flow catalog, 1 ft³/min = 0.471947 m³/s as L/s equivalent volume per second:

L/s = ft³/min × 0.471947  ·  catalog ratio 0.0004719474 ÷ 0.001 m³/s per unit

The live converter applies full floating-point precision; 0.471947 is the six-significant-figure display form. 1 ft³/min ≈ 0.471947 L/s—the anchor for comparing a 10 CFM grille against a 4.7 L/s branch in a metric model.

Step-by-step conversion (worked example — fan nameplate)

A packaged rooftop unit lists 1200 ft³/min supply air. Convert to L/s for an EU energy simulation:

1. Write the formula: L/s = ft³/min × 0.471947
2. Multiply: 1200 × 0.47194739999999996 = 566.337 L/s
3. Optional L/min check: 566.337 L/s × 60 = 33980.2 L/min

Second worked example (1 CFM anchor)

Convert exactly 1 ft³/min:

1. 1 × 0.47194739999999996 = 0.471947 L/s
2. Inverse: 0.471947 L/s × 2.11888 ≈ 1 ft³/min (round-trip within catalog precision).

Third worked example (shop compressor)

A US compressor datasheet cites 25 ft³/min free air delivery:

1. 25 × 0.47194739999999996 = 11.7987 L/s
2. Compare to metric rating: 11.7987 L/s is the correct SI-side volumetric rate before applying pressure corrections.

Quick mental estimate (no calculator)

Multiply ft³/min by 0.47 to approximate L/s. Example: 100 ft³/min → 47 L/s (catalog exact: 47.1947 L/s). For the reverse direction, multiply L/s by 2.12 to get ft³/min.

ft³/min to L/s conversion chart (catalog exact)

Where ft³/min → L/s comes up

• HVAC retrofits: US equipment CFM ratings must map to L/s inputs in metric load-calculation software.
• Compressed air: Shop tools list CFM; European compressors list L/s— compare at equal volumetric basis before pressure-adjusted mass flow.
• Controls integration: SCADA tags in ft³/min feeding a BACnet trend in L/s need one consistent factor—use the catalog values here.
• Test & balance: Hood tests in CFM versus design documents in L/s require conversion before pass/fail against spec.

L/s to ft³/min

Convert L/s to ft³/min when metric pump tests, irrigation totals, or SI models report liters per second but US manuals, CFM grilles, or legacy drawings expect cubic feet per minute.

Divide by 0.471947 or multiply by 2.11888. Both routes match the forward catalog ratio used on the paired liter/s page.

ft³/min = L/s × 2.11888  ·  equivalently   ft³/min = L/s ÷ 0.471947

Step-by-step conversion (worked example)

A pump test shows 5 L/s. Convert to ft³/min for a US inline fan overlay:

1. Multiply: 5 × 2.1188801972423197 = 10.5944 ft³/min

Quick reference (L/s → ft³/min)

CFM vs L/s context, mistakes, and related tools

Confirm air vs liquid context, keep volumetric flow distinct from mass flow, and verify round-trips with catalog factors.

ft³/min vs L/s at a glance

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing SCFM with actual CFM—standard cubic feet per minute adjusts for pressure/temperature; this tool converts absolute volumetric ft³/min and L/s unless you pre-correct the input.
• Using 0.5 instead of 0.471947—truncated constants drift from the live converter.
• Mixing L/min with L/s—divide L/min by 60 before applying the ft³/min factor, or convert L/min to ft³/min through an intermediate step.

Related flow converters

Canonical paired page: liter/s to ft³/min. Also see liter/s to liter/min, US gallon/min to liter/min, and m³/s to liter/s.