Calculate liters per minute from cubic meters per hour, or reverse LPM to m3/h, and get L/s, GPM, CFM, pipe velocity, and fill time from one flow rate.
m³/h to LPM Formula
The conversion uses a fixed factor because 1 cubic meter equals 1,000 liters and 1 hour equals 60 minutes.
Reverse direction:
Volume divided by time mode:
- LPM: flow rate in liters per minute
- m3h: flow rate in cubic meters per hour
- Q: flow rate (converted to m³/h, then to LPM)
- V: volume passed through
- t: elapsed time
The calculator has three modes. m³/h → LPM multiplies your input by the exact ratio 1000/60 (approximately 16.6667). LPM → m³/h multiplies by 0.06. Volume ÷ Time normalizes any volume unit to m³ and any time unit to hours, divides, then reports the equivalent in LPM and other common units.
Reference Tables
Common conversions for quick lookup:
| m³/h | LPM (L/min) | L/s | GPM (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 8.333 | 0.139 | 2.20 |
| 1 | 16.667 | 0.278 | 4.40 |
| 2 | 33.333 | 0.556 | 8.81 |
| 5 | 83.333 | 1.389 | 22.02 |
| 10 | 166.667 | 2.778 | 44.03 |
| 25 | 416.667 | 6.944 | 110.08 |
| 50 | 833.333 | 13.889 | 220.17 |
| 100 | 1,666.67 | 27.778 | 440.34 |
Illustrative flow ranges by application (not equipment specifications or design recommendations; actual ratings vary):
| Application | m³/h | LPM |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen faucet | 0.5 – 0.9 | 8.3 – 15 |
| Shower head | 0.5 – 1.0 | 8.3 – 16.7 |
| Garden hose | 1.2 – 2.4 | 20 – 40 |
| Domestic well pump | 2 – 6 | 33 – 100 |
| Pool circulation pump | 5 – 20 | 83 – 333 |
| HVAC chilled water (small) | 10 – 50 | 167 – 833 |
| Industrial process pump | 50 – 500 | 833 – 8,333 |
Worked Examples
Example 1. A pump is rated at 7.5 m³/h. Convert to LPM.
LPM = 7.5 × (1000/60) = 125 L/min.
Example 2. A tank holds 600 liters and drains in 4 minutes. Find the flow in m³/h and LPM.
LPM = 600 / 4 = 150 L/min. m³/h = 150 × 0.06 = 9 m³/h.
FAQ
Why multiply by 16.6667? One m³/h equals 1000 liters spread across 60 minutes, so 1000 ÷ 60 ≈ 16.6667 L/min. The calculator uses the ratio before display rounding.
Does the fluid type matter? The unit conversion applies to the same volumetric flow at the same conditions. Actual gas volume can change with temperature and pressure; this calculator does not convert between standard and actual gas conditions. Mass flow also requires density.
How do I convert LPM to m³/h quickly in my head? Divide by 16.67, or multiply by 0.06. For a rough estimate, divide LPM by 17.
What is the difference between US and Imperial GPM? A US gallon is 3.785 liters and an Imperial gallon is 4.546 liters. The calculator reports both flow units separately and accepts each gallon definition for volume inputs.
