1. What Is GPM to CFS Conversion?

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

Purpose: It helps hydraulic engineers, plumbers, and water resource professionals convert between these common flow rate units.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The conversion factor comes from the relationship between volume units (1 cubic foot = 7.48052 gallons) and time units (1 minute = 60 seconds).

3. Importance of Flow Rate Conversion

Details: Different industries use different flow rate units. GPM is common in plumbing, while CFS is standard in hydrology and civil engineering.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the flow rate in GPM to get the equivalent in CFS. The result is displayed with 6 decimal places for precision.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the conversion factor 448.83?
A: It's derived from 7.48052 gallons per cubic foot × 60 seconds per minute (7.48052 × 60 ≈ 448.83).

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

Q3: How precise is this conversion?
A: Very precise - the conversion factor is accurate to 5 decimal places (448.83117).

Q4: Can I convert CFS to GPM with this?
A: Not directly - you would multiply CFS by 448.83 to get GPM (reverse operation).

Q5: What's a typical GPM value for household plumbing?
A: A standard shower uses about 2.5 GPM, while a kitchen faucet might use 1.5-2.2 GPM.