CMH to CFM: Conversion Table for Industrial Fans and Coolers
To convert CMH to CFM, multiply by 0.5886. To convert CFM to CMH, multiply by 1.699. So 10,000 CMH is about 5,886 CFM, and 10,000 CFM is about 16,990 CMH. CMH means cubic metres per hour, written m³/h, and CFM means cubic feet per minute. Both measure the same thing: how much air moves.
What is the quick conversion table?
| CMH (m³/h) | CFM (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | 589 |
| 5,000 | 2,943 |
| 10,000 | 5,886 |
| 15,000 | 8,829 |
| 20,000 | 11,772 |
| 25,000 | 14,715 |
| 30,000 | 17,658 |
| 40,000 | 23,544 |
| 50,000 | 29,430 |
What is the airflow of our models in CFM?
The CMH figures below are the ratings published on our product pages. The CFM figures are converted from them and rounded.
| Model | CMH (m³/h) | CFM (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| MSC-130 cooler | 13,000 | 7,652 |
| MSC-160 cooler | 16,000 | 9,418 |
| MSC-180 cooler | 18,000 | 10,595 |
| MSS-180 cooler | 18,000 | 10,595 |
| MSS-300 cooler | 30,000 | 17,658 |
| MGS-560 fiberglass fan | 5,500 | 3,237 |
| MGS-850 fiberglass fan | 9,500 | 5,592 |
| MGS-1060 fiberglass fan | 19,000 | 11,183 |
| MGS-1260 fiberglass fan | 32,000 | 18,835 |
| MGS-1460 fiberglass fan | 36,000 | 21,190 |
| Drop hammer fan 650 | 16,000 | 9,418 |
| Drop hammer fan 800 | 20,000 | 11,772 |
| Drop hammer fan 1000 | 32,000 | 18,835 |
| Drop hammer fan 1220 | 38,000 | 22,367 |
| Drop hammer fan 1380 | 44,000 | 25,898 |
| Drop hammer fan 1530 | 55,800 | 32,844 |
How do you compare a CFM requirement with a CMH quote?
Bring both numbers to one unit before you compare them. Say a consultant asks for 12,000 CFM of exhaust and a supplier quotes in CMH. Multiply 12,000 by 1.699 and you get about 20,388 CMH. A drop hammer 800 at 20,000 CMH falls just short of that figure, while a drop hammer 1000 at 32,000 CMH clears it. Two smaller fans may also meet the total, and they often spread the air more evenly, so look at the layout as well.
Why does the conversion use 0.5886?
One cubic metre is about 35.31 cubic feet, and one hour is 60 minutes. Divide 35.31 by 60 and you get 0.5886. That is why a CFM figure always looks smaller than the same airflow written in CMH. Neither unit is a bigger fan. They are two ways of writing one number.
What should you check besides the airflow number?
- Test conditions: a rated figure is measured under set conditions, and ducts, louvres or cooling pads add resistance.
- Power supply: the MSS-180 runs on 1.1 kW on single or three phase, while the MSS-300 needs 3 kW on 380/415 V three phase.
- Air changes: divide the CMH figure by the room volume in cubic metres to see how many times an hour the air is replaced.
See our industrial coolers and exhaust fans. Send us your drawing or your CFM requirement, and we will match it to a model.