Flow Meter K Factor Calculator
Pulse output flow meters such as turbine, vortex and positive displacement meters give a fixed number of pulses per unit volume, the K factor. Convert frequency to rate, count to total, or calculate the K factor from a prover or bucket test.
- Rate = f ÷ K = 350 ÷ 210 = 1.6667 L/s
- × 60 = 100 L/min
K Factor Formulas
Total = Pulse count ÷ K
K = Pulses counted ÷ Known volume
K is the number of pulses per unit of volume or mass, printed on the meter tag or calibration certificate. Multiply by 60 or 3600 to get per minute or per hour rates.
Worked example
A turbine meter with K = 210 pulses/L outputs 350 Hz. Rate = 350 ÷ 210 = 1.667 L/s = 100 L/min. Over a batch it sends 52,500 pulses, which is 52,500 ÷ 210 = 250 L.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a K factor in a flow meter?
It is the number of output pulses per unit volume (or mass) of fluid. A meter with K = 100 pulses/L sends 100 pulses for every litre that passes.
How do I find the K factor of a flow meter?
Pass a known volume through the meter, for example into a calibrated tank or prover, count the pulses, and divide pulses by volume. Repeat at several flow rates.
What is the difference between K factor and meter factor?
K factor converts pulses to volume. A meter factor is a correction multiplier (close to 1.0) applied after calibration to make the indicated volume match the true volume.
Learn more on the blog
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A practical, field focused guide on instrumentationblog.in that explains the theory behind this calculator and how engineers apply it on real plants.
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