CFS to GPM Conversion

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 professionals convert between these common flow rate units.

2. How Does the Conversion Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

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

Where:

\( Q_{gpm} \) — Flow rate in gallons per minute
\( Q_{cfs} \) — Flow rate in cubic feet per second
448.83 — Conversion factor (gallons per minute per cubic foot per second)

Explanation: 1 cubic foot per second equals approximately 448.83 gallons per minute.

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) and the calculator will provide the equivalent in gallons per minute (GPM).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the conversion factor 448.83?
A: It comes from 7.48052 gallons per cubic foot × 60 seconds per minute = 448.8312.

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

Q3: Is this conversion only for water?
A: The conversion factor is based on water volume. For other fluids, you'd need to account for density differences.

Q4: 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.

Q5: How precise is this conversion?
A: The conversion factor is precise to 5 decimal places (448.831168), but we use 448.83 for practical calculations.