# What is flow rate ? What are the types of flow rate?

**URL:** <https://forumautomation.com/t/what-is-flow-rate-what-are-the-types-of-flow-rate/2190>\
**Category:** Flow Measurement\
**Tags:** interviewquestions\
**Created:** [August 13, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://forumautomation.com/t/what-is-flow-rate-what-are-the-types-of-flow-rate/2190 "2017-08-13T03:57:58Z")\
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**Author:** ![denizen](https://forumautomation.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@denizen](https://forumautomation.com/u/denizen)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://forumautomation.com/t/what-is-flow-rate-what-are-the-types-of-flow-rate/2190/1 "2017-08-13T03:57:58Z")

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**What is flow rate?**

Flow rate is an indication of how fast a substance move through a conduit from one place to another.

Flow rate can also be used to determine the distance a substance moves over a period of time.

Flow rate is usually expressed as Volume Flow rate and Mass Flow rate.

**Volume Flow Rate**

Volume flow rate represents the volume of fluid that passes a measurement point over a period of time.

The volume rate can be calculated if the average flow velocity and inside pipe diameter is known.

The calculation is based on the formula

Q= A x v

where Q = volumetric flow rate

A = Cross sectional area of the pipe

v = average flow velocity

**Mass Flow Rate**

Mass flow rate represents the amount of mass that passes a specific point over a period of time.

Mass flow rates are used to measure the weight or mass of a substance flowing through a process operation.If the volumetric flow rate and density are known the calculation is based on the formula

W = Q x r

Where W = mass flow rate Q = Volumetric flow rate r = density