Enter the flow rate in gallons per minute, the specific gravity relative to water, and the time in hours into the calculator to determine the equivalent mass in tons.

GPM to Tons Calculator

Process (Mass/Tons)
HVAC (Refrigeration Tons)

Enter any 3 values to calculate the missing variable

GPM to Tons Formula

The following formula is used to convert GPM to tons:

T = (FR * SG * T * 60 * 8.34) / 2000

Variables:

  • T is the mass in tons
  • FR is the flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM)
  • SG is the specific gravity of the fluid (relative to water)
  • T is the time in hours

To calculate the mass in tons, multiply the flow rate in GPM by the specific gravity, then by the time in hours, and finally by the conversion factors to get the mass in tons.

Gallons per Minute to Tons per Hour Conversion Table (SG = 1.00)
Flow Rate (GPM) Short Tons per Hour (TPH) Metric Tons per Hour (t/h)
10.2500.227
20.5000.454
30.7510.681
51.2511.135
102.5022.270
153.7533.405
205.0044.576
256.2555.674
307.5066.809
4010.0089.079
5012.51011.349
6015.01213.619
7518.76517.023
10025.02022.698
15037.53034.047
20050.04045.396
25062.55056.744
30075.06068.093
400100.08090.791
500125.100113.489
* Rounded to 3 decimals. Assumes water at SG = 1.00 (8.34 lb/gal). Formula: TPH (short) = GPM × 8.34 × 60 / 2000 ≈ GPM × 0.2502. Metric t/h = TPH (short) ÷ 1.10231.

What is Specific Gravity?

Specific gravity is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance; for liquids, the reference substance is usually water at 4 °C. It is used to compare the density of a fluid to the density of water.

How to Calculate Mass in Tons from GPM?

The following steps outline how to calculate the mass in tons from GPM:


  1. First, determine the flow rate (FR) in gallons per minute.
  2. Next, determine the specific gravity (SG) of the fluid relative to water.
  3. Next, determine the time (T) in hours over which the flow rate is measured.
  4. Use the formula T = (FR * SG * T * 60 * 8.34) / 2000 to calculate the mass in tons.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Flow rate (FR) = 100 GPM

Specific gravity (SG) = 1.03 (relative to water)

Time (T) = 2 hours