Convert Feet per Minute to Centimeters per Second

Formula

cm/s = ft/min × 0.508

or cm/s = ft/min ÷ 1.968503937008

Derivation from SI units:

• 1 ft/min = 0.3048 m ÷ 60 s = 0.00508 m/s
• 1 cm/s = 0.01 m ÷ 1 s = 1 cm³/(s·cm²)
• 1 ft/min = 0.00508 m/s ÷ 0.01 m/s per cm/s = 0.508 cm/s

Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Foot per Minute definition: foot per minute; Centimeter per Second definition: centimeter per second.

Worked examples

1. A media velocity of 10.5 ft/min is 5.334 cm/s.
   10.5 ft/min × 0.508 = 5.334 cm/s
2. 100 ft/min is 50.8 cm/s.
   100 ft/min × 0.508 = 50.8 cm/s

Where it's used

US media velocities in fpm are converted to cm/s to compare with filter-media and respirator test conditions.

Foot per Minute to other face velocity & air permeability units

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 Edition, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Appendix B.8, "foot per minute (ft/min)".
• The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures , Table 2 with SI prefix centi.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-15. Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.