CFM to m³/min Converter
1 CFM = 0.0283168466 m³/min exactly, derived from 1 ft³ = 0.0283168466 m³ (since 1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly). The time unit (per minute) is the same, so only the volume conversion...
Formula
Source: NIST SP 811, ISO 80000-4 | Last reviewed: June 27, 2026
Examples
1 CFM
= 0.0283 m³/min
1 CFM = 0.0283 m³/min
100 CFM
= 2.83 m³/min
100 CFM = 2.83 m³/min, small air compressor
1000 CFM
= 28.32 m³/min
1,000 CFM = 28.3 m³/min, medium industrial fan
10000 CFM
= 283.2 m³/min
10,000 CFM = 283 m³/min, large industrial dust collector
Quick Reference Table
| CFM | m³/min | m³/h | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0283 | 1.7 | Very small fan |
| 10 | 0.283 | 17 | Small exhaust fan |
| 100 | 2.83 | 170 | Small air compressor FAD |
| 1000 | 28.3 | 1700 | Medium industrial fan |
| 5000 | 141.6 | 8495 | Large industrial fan / baghouse |
| 10000 | 283.2 | 16990 | Large dust collector / mine ventilation |
| 50000 | 1416 | 84950 | Power plant FD fan / large mine ventilation |
Where is this used?
The time unit (per minute) is the same, so only the volume conversion applies.
This conversion is commonly needed when US HVAC, dust collection, or compressed air data (in CFM) must be integrated into European or international project documentation.
For example, a US-designed spray booth requiring 8,000 CFM of exhaust airflow converts to 8,000 × 0.028317 = 226.5 m³/min for the European fan specification.
A US air compressor rated at 100 CFM FAD (free air delivery) converts to 2.83 m³/min, which is how the same compressor would be cataloged by European manufacturers.
The 100 CFM → 2.83 m³/min equivalence bridges the US and European compressed air markets directly.
Note that the conversion from CFM to m³/min is often one step in a multi-step international flow conversion: CFM → m³/min → m³/h (×60) → L/s (÷3.6).
The m³/min unit is less common than m³/h in European practice but appears in some larger equipment specifications where the numbers are more convenient.
A 5,000 CFM industrial fan converts to 141.6 m³/min or 8,495 m³/h, the m³/min value (141.6) is a more human-readable number for large equipment than the m³/h value (8,495), which is one reason m³/min persists in some European heavy industrial contexts.
The conversion is also used in mining ventilation: US mine ventilation regulations (MSHA, 30 CFR) specify airflow in CFM, while international mining standards (Australian, Canadian metric, South African) use m³/s or m³/min.
A US underground coal mine ventilation shaft passing 500,000 CFM converts to 500,000 × 0.028317 = 14,158 m³/min (236 m³/s), a massive airflow that illustrates the scale of mine ventilation systems.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
International mine ventilation system
A US-based mining corporation operates mines in Australia, South Africa, and the US. The US mines (in West Virginia, Kentucky) are regulated by MSHA (US Mine Safety and Health Administration) 30 CFR, which requires ventilation airflow in CFM. The Australian mines (in Queensland) are regulated under the Queensland Mines Inspectorate, which requires airflow in m³/s. The South African mines (in Mpumalanga) are regulated by the Department of Mineral Resources, which uses m³/s. The corporate ventilation engineer standardizes on m³/s internally and converts for each jurisdiction: a face ventilation requirement of 50,000 CFM (US standard for a longwall section) = 50,000 × 0.028317 / 60 = 23.6 m³/s (both Australian and South African standards). The CFM to m³/min conversion (× 0.028317) is the first step in the multi-jurisdiction conversion, applied at every ventilation plan to ensure consistent equipment sizing across the global operation. A 1% error in the conversion corresponds to about 0.24 m³/s error in the required airflow, meaningful for verifying that the mine's main fan can deliver the design airflow.
Industry Standards Referenced
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CFM to m³/min relate to CFM to m³/h?
m³/h = m³/min × 60. So CFM → m³/h = CFM × 0.028317 × 60 = CFM × 1.699. If you need m³/h directly, use our CFM to m³/h converter. If you need m³/min, use this converter. The relationship is exact because the hour-to-minute (×60) and ft³-to-m³ (×0.028317) conversions are both exact.
What does this converter do?
This converter performs the unit conversion at standard conditions using the exact conversion factor. The result is displayed with appropriate precision for engineering use.
How accurate is the conversion?
The conversion factor used is exact or to four significant figures depending on the units. For most engineering calculations, the precision is more than sufficient. For precision work, consult the relevant NIST or ISO standards referenced on this page.
Reviewed for accuracy
Verified against international length and volume conversion standards · Last reviewed: June 27, 2026
All calculations are for reference only. Always verify with manufacturer data and a qualified engineer for critical applications. Learn about our editorial process.