1. What is a Water Flow Rate Converter?

Definition: This calculator converts water flow rates between liters per minute (LPM), cubic meters per hour (m³/h), and gallons per minute (GPM).

Purpose: It helps engineers, plumbers, and technicians convert between different flow rate units used in various measurement systems.

2. How Does the Converter Work?

The converter uses these formulas:

Where:

• \( Q_{gpm} \) — Flow rate in gallons per minute
• \( Q_{lpm} \) — Flow rate in liters per minute
• \( Q_{m3h} \) — Flow rate in cubic meters per hour

Explanation: The formulas convert between metric units (LPM or m³/h) and US customary units (GPM) for water flow rate.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Conversion

Details: Accurate conversion between units is essential when working with equipment specifications, international standards, or different measurement systems.

4. Using the Converter

Tips: Enter either LPM or m³/h value (not both) and click "Convert to GPM" to get the equivalent flow rate in gallons per minute.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are there two different conversion formulas?
A: One converts from liters per minute (volume/time) and the other from cubic meters per hour (volume/time) to gallons per minute.

Q2: What's the conversion factor between LPM and m³/h?
A: 1 m³/h = 16.667 LPM (since 1 m³ = 1000 liters and 1 hour = 60 minutes).

Q3: Are these conversions specific to water?
A: These conversions are exact for water at standard conditions. For other fluids, density must be considered.

Q4: Why is GPM a common unit?
A: Gallons per minute is the standard flow rate unit in US customary system, commonly used in plumbing and hydraulic systems.

Q5: Can I convert GPM back to LPM or m³/h?
A: Yes, use the inverse formulas: \( Q_{lpm} = Q_{gpm} \times 3.785 \) and \( Q_{m3h} = \frac{Q_{gpm}}{4.402} \).