CFS to GPM Conversion Calculator

Conversion Formula:

\[ Q_{gpm} = Q_{cfs} \times 448.83 \]

Flow Rate (GPM):

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1. What is CFS to GPM Conversion?

Definition: This calculator converts flow rate from cubic feet per second (CFS) to gallons per minute (GPM).

Purpose: It helps engineers, hydrologists, and water system operators convert between these common flow rate units.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ Q_{gpm} = Q_{cfs} \times 448.83 \]

Where:

\( Q_{gpm} \) — Flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM)
\( Q_{cfs} \) — Flow rate in cubic feet per second (CFS)
\( 448.83 \) — Conversion factor (1 ft³/s = 448.83 GPM)

Explanation: The conversion factor accounts for both volume (1 ft³ = 7.48052 gallons) and time (1 second = 1/60 minute) conversions.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Conversion

Details: Different industries use different units - CFS is common in hydrology while GPM is used in plumbing and water systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the flow rate in cubic feet per second (CFS) to get the equivalent in gallons per minute (GPM).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the conversion factor 448.83?
A: It combines volume conversion (1 ft³ = 7.48052 gallons) with time conversion (1 second = 1/60 minute): 7.48052 × 60 ≈ 448.83.

Q2: When would I need to convert CFS to GPM?
A: When working with water systems where different components use different units, or when comparing data from different sources.

Q3: How precise is this conversion?
A: The conversion factor is precise to 5 decimal places (448.83117), though we typically use 448.83 for practical calculations.

Q4: Can I convert GPM back to CFS?
A: Yes, divide GPM by 448.83 to get CFS. We may add this reverse calculation in a future update.

Q5: What's a typical CFS value for a small stream?
A: Small streams might range from 1-10 CFS (448-4,488 GPM), while large rivers can be thousands of CFS.