Volumetric flow rate.
Cubic foot per Seconds to Cubic Meter per Seconds Converter — ft3/s to m3/s
Convert Cubic foot per Seconds (ft3/s) to Cubic Meter per Seconds (m3/s) using the exact conversion factor (1 cubic foot per seconds = 0.0283168466 cubic meter per seconds). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, and common uses.
Cubic foot per Seconds to Cubic Meter per Seconds converter
Converter
Flow Rate Converter
Convert volumetric flow rates across metric, US, imperial, industrial, and scientific units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Volumetric flow rate.
Result = input x 0.02831684659 / 1.
Flow rate uses cubic meters per second as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Cubic foot per Seconds to Cubic Meter per Seconds
Cubic foot per Seconds and Cubic Meter per Seconds both measure volumetric flow rate — how much volume passes a point over time — used to size pipes and pumps, monitor river or stream discharge, control industrial processes, and set medical infusion rates. Cubic foot per Seconds is typically associated with united States, while Cubic Meter per Seconds is typically associated with used internationally in hydrology and large-scale water-resource engineering.
Formula
cubic meter per seconds = cubic foot per seconds × 0.028316846592
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 cubic foot per seconds equals 0.028316846592 base units, and 1 cubic meter per seconds equals 1 base unit, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cubic foot per seconds-to-cubic meter per seconds factor of 0.028316846592.
Simple example
1 ft3/s × 0.02831684659 = 0.0283168466 m3/s
1 cubic foot per seconds = 0.0283168466 cubic meter per seconds.
Real-world example
60 ft3/s × 0.02831684659 = 1.699010796 m3/s
60 cubic foot per seconds = 1.699010796 cubic meter per seconds.
Conversion table
| Cubic foot per Seconds (ft3/s) | Cubic Meter per Seconds (m3/s) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 ft3/s | 0.0028316847 m3/s |
| 1 ft3/s | 0.0283168466 m3/s |
| 10 ft3/s | 0.2831684659 m3/s |
| 60 ft3/s | 1.699010796 m3/s |
| 100 ft3/s | 2.831684659 m3/s |
| 1,000 ft3/s | 28.31684659 m3/s |
Reverse conversion: Cubic Meter per Seconds to Cubic foot per Seconds
0.0283168466 m3/s × 35.31466672 = 1 ft3/s
0.0283168466 cubic meter per seconds = 1 cubic foot per seconds.
cubic foot per seconds = cubic meter per seconds × 35.3146667215
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cubic Meter per Seconds to Cubic foot per Seconds.
Cubic foot per Seconds vs. Cubic Meter per Seconds
| Aspect | Cubic foot per Seconds | Cubic Meter per Seconds |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US customary flow-rate unit | SI coherent derived unit |
| Typical use | The standard unit used by the US Geological Survey for reporting river and stream discharge at gauging stations | Used by hydrologists and water-resource engineers internationally to report river and reservoir discharge at large scales |
| Where it's used | United States | Used internationally in hydrology and large-scale water-resource engineering |
Understanding the Cubic foot per Seconds
Cubic foot per Seconds (ft3/s) measures volumetric flow rate. One cubic foot of volume passing a point every second. It is classified as a US customary flow-rate unit.
Where it's used: United States
Uses of the Cubic foot per Seconds today
- The standard unit used by the US Geological Survey for reporting river and stream discharge at gauging stations
Understanding the Cubic Meter per Seconds
Cubic Meter per Seconds (m3/s) measures volumetric flow rate. The SI coherent unit for volumetric flow rate — one cubic meter of volume passing a point every second. It is classified as a SI coherent derived unit.
Where it's used: Used internationally in hydrology and large-scale water-resource engineering
Uses of the Cubic Meter per Seconds today
- Used by hydrologists and water-resource engineers internationally to report river and reservoir discharge at large scales
Cubic foot per Seconds — sources
- USGS Water Science School — Cubic feet per second (cfs) is the standard unit USGS uses to report streamflow.
Cubic Meter per Seconds — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Cubic meter per second as the SI coherent derived unit for volumetric flow rate.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic meter per seconds are in 1 cubic foot per seconds?
1 cubic foot per seconds equals 0.0283168466 cubic meter per seconds, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cubic foot per seconds to cubic meter per seconds?
Multiply the cubic foot per seconds value by 0.02831684659. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cubic meter per seconds back to cubic foot per seconds?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cubic meter per seconds equals 35.31466672 cubic foot per seconds. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a cubic foot per seconds?
Cubic foot per Seconds (ft3/s) measures volumetric flow rate. One cubic foot of volume passing a point every second. It is classified as a US customary flow-rate unit.
What is a cubic meter per seconds?
Cubic Meter per Seconds (m3/s) measures volumetric flow rate. The SI coherent unit for volumetric flow rate — one cubic meter of volume passing a point every second. It is classified as a SI coherent derived unit.
Is the cubic foot per seconds to cubic meter per seconds conversion exact?
Yes. Both cubic foot per seconds and cubic meter per seconds are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.02831684659 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the cubic foot per seconds still used today?
United States
What's the difference between volumetric and mass flow rate?
Volumetric flow rate measures the volume of fluid passing a point per unit time (for example, liters per second). Mass flow rate measures the mass instead. For a fluid of constant density the two are directly proportional, but for compressible fluids like gases, mass flow is often the more meaningful quantity.