58.857778
ft³/min
0.98096296
ft³/s
3,531.4667
ft³/h
58.857778
ft³/min
0.98096296
ft³/s
3,531.4667
ft³/h
The Cubic Meters per Hour to Cubic Feet per Minute Converter converts between m³/hr and CFM, two of the most widely used volumetric airflow units in HVAC engineering. The conversion factor is 1 m³/hr = 0.5886 CFM. This conversion is essential for HVAC system design, ventilation calculations, and air handling equipment specification.
Cubic meters per hour (m³/hr) is the standard airflow unit in European and international HVAC standards (ISO, EN), while cubic feet per minute (CFM) is the standard in US HVAC practice (ASHRAE, SMACNA). Engineers working on international projects must constantly convert between these units for duct sizing, fan selection, and ventilation compliance.
The conversion is derived from: 1 cubic meter = 35.31467 cubic feet and 1 hour = 60 minutes. Therefore, 1 m³/hr = 35.31467/60 = 0.588578 CFM. Our converter also provides cubic feet per second (CFS) for applications like wind tunnel testing and industrial exhaust systems.
Typical HVAC airflow rates: a residential room may need 50–200 CFM (85–340 m³/hr) of fresh air, a commercial office building requires about 20 CFM per person (34 m³/hr per person), and large industrial ventilation systems may handle 100,000+ CFM (170,000+ m³/hr).
Understanding this conversion is also important for clean room design (where air changes per hour are critical), fume hood specifications, and industrial dust collection systems. Building codes in different countries may specify minimum ventilation rates in different unit systems.
The formula is: CFM = m³/hr x 0.588578 (or equivalently, m³/hr x 35.31467 / 60). For CFS: CFS = CFM / 60. The conversion factor comes from 1 m³ = 35.31467 ft³ (derived from 1 m = 3.28084 ft, cubed) and 1 hr = 60 min.
When comparing HVAC equipment rated in different unit systems, always check whether flow rates are at standard conditions (typically 20°C, 101.325 kPa) or actual conditions. This distinction is critical for fan and duct sizing at different altitudes and temperatures.
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Results
100 m³/hr = 58.86 CFM
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Results
10,000 m³/hr = 5,886 CFM
Multiply m³/hr by 0.5886. For example, 500 m³/hr = 294.3 CFM. The exact factor is 35.31467/60.
CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. It measures the volume of air (or gas) flowing past a point every minute. It is the standard airflow unit in US HVAC engineering.
They measure the same thing (volumetric flow) but in different unit systems. 1 CFM = 1.699 m³/hr. CFM is used in the US; m³/hr is used internationally.
ASHRAE Standard 62.1 recommends 15-20 CFM per person for offices. Bedrooms typically need 50-75 CFM. The exact requirement depends on room use, occupancy, and local codes.
Multiply CFM by 1.6990. For example, 100 CFM = 169.9 m³/hr.
SCFM is Standard CFM at reference conditions (typically 68F, 14.7 psia). ACFM is Actual CFM at operating conditions. They differ when temperature or pressure differs from standard.
Calculate required airflow in CFM based on room volume and desired air changes per hour (ACH). ACH = CFM x 60 / room volume (ft3). Typical ACH: 6-10 for offices, 15-20 for labs.
Residential bathroom exhaust fans typically provide 50-110 CFM (85-187 m³/hr). HVI recommends 1 CFM per square foot of bathroom area.
The unit conversion factor is constant. However, at higher altitude, air density is lower, so the same CFM delivers less mass of air. Fan performance must be derated for altitude.
ACH measures how many times the entire air volume of a room is replaced per hour. ACH = total airflow (m³/hr) / room volume (m³). Clean rooms may require 20-600+ ACH.
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