What this converter does
This converter turns feet per minute into metres per second and back. Multiply FPM by 0.00508 to get m/s — useful when a US duct chart gives velocity in FPM but your design is metric. It updates as you type.
It also handles km/h, ft/s and mph. For volume airflow, see the CFM to L/s converter.
The units it covers
Every unit here measures air speed, converting through metres per second with a fixed ratio.
View all units & their values
| Unit | Symbol | Value | Mainly used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metre per second | m/s | 1 | SI base — duct velocity |
| Foot per minute | FPM | 0.00508 | US duct & grille speeds |
| Kilometre per hour | km/h | 0.2778 | General air speed |
| Foot per second | ft/s | 0.3048 | US velocity |
| Mile per hour | mph | 0.44704 | Wind & outdoor air |
The formula
Each unit has a fixed value in m/s, so converting between any two means going through it once:
result = value × factor_from ÷ factor_toWhere:
- value = the number you typed
- factor_from = the “from” unit’s value in m/s
- factor_to = the “to” unit’s value in m/s
Worked example
Convert a 500 FPM grille velocity to metres per second.
1 FPM = 0.00508 m/s500 × 0.00508 = 2.54 m/sA 500 FPM grille velocity is about 2.54 m/s.
The units in this example
The US air-velocity unit used on duct-friction charts and for grille and diffuser throw across North America.
- 1 FPM = 0.00508 m/s
- 500 FPM = 2.54 m/s
- 1000 FPM = 5.08 m/s
- 197 FPM ≈ 1 m/s
The SI air-velocity unit, standard for duct-design velocity limits and grille face speeds outside the US.
- 1 m/s = 196.85 FPM
- 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h
- 2 m/s = 393.7 FPM
- 5 m/s = 984.3 FPM