Science & Engineering

Flow Rate Calculator (Volume/Time or Pipe Velocity)

Find volumetric flow rate from volume and time, or from a pipe's diameter and the fluid velocity. It supports SI and US units with output in L/min, GPM, CFM, and more.

How to use
  1. Choose your method: volume over time, or pipe diameter and velocity.
  2. Enter the values in SI or US units.
  3. Pick the output unit (L/min, GPM, CFM, m³/s).
Try
Flow rate (Q)

m³/s
L/s
m³/h
GPM (US)
CFM
For study and estimation. Verify against authoritative data before relying on a result.
Was this helpful?

How it's calculated

Q = V ÷ t or Q = π(d/2)² × v

V = volume, t = time, d = pipe inner diameter, v = flow velocity, A = π(d/2)² = cross-section area. Q = volumetric flow rate, reported as L/min, m³/h, GPM and CFM.

Common questions

How do I get flow rate from pipe size?

Multiply the pipe's cross-sectional area by the fluid velocity. The calculator does this once you enter diameter and velocity.

What is GPM?

Gallons per minute, the common US unit for pumps and plumbing flow. The tool can also report L/min, CFM, and m³/s.