Convert Cubic Feet per Minute to Cubic Meters per Hour

Formula

m³/h = CFM × 1.69901079552

Derivation from SI units:

• 1 CFM = (0.3048 m)³ ÷ 60 s = 4.719474432 × 10⁻⁴ m³/s
• 1 m³/h = 1 m³ ÷ 3600 s
• 1 CFM = 0.0004719474432 m³/s ÷ 0.0002777777777778 m³/s per m³/h = 1.69901079552 m³/h

Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Cubic Foot per Minute definition: cubic foot per minute; Cubic Meter per Hour definition: cubic meter per hour.

Worked examples

1. The rule-of-thumb airflow of 400 CFM per ton of cooling is 679.6043182 m³/h.
   400 CFM × 1.699010796 = 679.6043182 m³/h
2. A 2000 CFM air-handling unit moves 3398.021591 m³/h.
   2000 CFM × 1.699010796 = 3398.021591 m³/h

Where it's used

US fan and air-handler ratings in CFM are converted to m³/h for European and Asian projects and for filter selection, where rated airflows (for example 3400 m³/h) are metric.

Cubic Foot per Minute to other flow rate 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, "cubic foot per minute (ft³/min)".
• The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures , Table 8 (hour) with Table 2 (cubic metre).

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