Converting RPM to g Force (RCF) and Vice Versa

Rotational Radius
Rotational radius of centrifuge for converting RPM to g force (RCF).

g Force or Relative Centrifugal Force (RCF) is the amount of acceleration to be applied to the sample. It depends on the revolutions per minute (RPM) and radius of the rotor, and is relative to the force of Earth’s gravity.

A good, precise protocol for centrifugation instructs you to use the g force rather than RPMs because the rotor size might differ, and g force will be different while the revolutions per minute stay the same. Unfortunately, many protocols are written in hurry and instructions are given in RPMs. Therefore, you have to convert g force (RCF) into revolutions per minute (rpms) and vice versa.

Modern centrifuges have an automatic converter but older ones do not. There is a simple formula to calculate this, but it takes some time to do the calculation. Meanwhile, your cells might die or the biochemical reaction goes on for three times longer than it should.

There are several ways to make conversion:

  1. Use a website where you can select centrifuge model and rotor head.
  2. Use online converters.
  3. Use a Nomogram (Nomograph).
  4. Make the calculation yourself.

1. The most precise way to make conversion is to use converters for a particular centrifuge and a rotor head. Companies provide the data. Here are the links to a resources online from where you can pick up the model and rotor:

Beckman, Sorvall or Thermo Fisher Scientific

Sorvall, Beckman and Eppendorf

Eppendorf

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Science Gateway might list some centrifuges that are not found above.

2. Here are several links to converters online:

Insilico

EnCor Biotechnology

Insilicase

3.  Print and use Nomogram (a graphical calculator). They are available from the following:

University of Maryland web site

DJB Labcare

Optics Planet

4. The formula is always good to have in case your internet is down or the above links cease to exist.

g Force (RCF) = (rpm)2 × 1.118 × 10-5 × r

RPM = √[RCF/(r × 1.118)] × 1 × 105

g = Relative Centrifuge Force

r = rotational radius (cm)

N = Revolutions Per Minute (RPM)

I hope the above information will make your calculation easy.

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7 comments

  1. why mass is not considered in the formulae? If centrifugal force is mw^2r then why mass is not considered in g force.
    Suppose i have a centrifuge machine for oil extraction. i’d assume the machine capacity is 250 kg/hr. I need to know whether mass/load has no role in it for selecting machine RPM

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