Flow Meters Market Size and Share
Flow Meters Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The flow meters market reached a value of USD 8.46 billion in 2025 and is on track to climb to USD 11.25 billion by 2030, translating into a 5.87% CAGR. The sector’s progress mirrors the broader shift toward fully digitized industrial operations, where real-time flow data underpin efficiency gains, cost control, and tightening compliance mandates. Rising deployment of IoT-enabled automation, the roll-out of massive water infrastructure programs, and stricter safety standards in energy and chemicals continue to anchor demand. Meanwhile, suppliers differentiate through embedded analytics, wireless connectivity, and edge processing that transform meters from passive sensors into decision-making nodes. Upside potential also stems from the global decarbonization drive, which amplifies the need for precise flow monitoring in hydrogen, CCUS, and battery storage systems, whereas risks revolve around semiconductor shortages, cybersecurity exposure, and the premium price of next-generation Coriolis and ultrasonic devices.
Key Report Takeaways
- By technology, electromagnetic products led with 32.2% of the flow meters market share in 2024, while ultrasonic solutions are set to expand at a 6.5% CAGR through 2030.
- By mounting method, in-line units commanded 47.6% of the flow meters market size in 2024, yet clamp-on designs are poised for 7.4% CAGR growth.
- By fluid type, liquid applications generated 61.7% revenue in 2024; gas measurement is forecast to increase at a 6.1% CAGR.
- By end user, water and wastewater captured 29.3% of the flow meters market size in 2024 and is advancing at a 6.2% CAGR to 2030.
- By region, Asia-Pacific held 44.1% revenue in 2024, whereas the Middle East & Africa promises the fastest 7.1% CAGR.
- Emerson, Endress+Hauser, and Siemens together controlled roughly 35% of 2024 revenues, highlighting a moderately concentrated competitive field.
Global Flow Meters Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
Driver | ( ~ ) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
IoT-enabled process automation | +1.2% | Global, led by APAC & North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Water & wastewater infrastructure funding | +1.8% | North America, Europe, developing APAC | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Energy-sector safety compliance mandates | +0.9% | Global, North America & Europe | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Brownfield clamp-on retrofit demand | +0.7% | North America, Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Multiphase metering for CCUS projects | +0.4% | North America, Europe, select APAC | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
District heating/cooling smart-meter roll-outs | +0.3% | Europe, select North American cities | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
IoT-enabled process automation for real-time flow analytics
Factories and utilities are embedding sensors, gateways, and 5G connectivity to convert flow meters into edge devices that deliver millisecond-latency data for autonomous control loops. Utilities report tangible gains, citing double-digit cuts in non-revenue water once advanced metering infrastructure is operational. Adaptive transmitters now host AI models that auto-correct drift, reduce site visits, and shrink maintenance budgets. For producers, these functions raise yield and lower energy intensity, directly tying smart meters to CEO-level metrics on sustainability and cost
Global water and wastewater infrastructure investments
The United States alone earmarked USD 102 billion for drinking- and wastewater upgrades, while multilateral banks support similar projects from Beirut to Manila.[1]World Bank, “Program to Improve Water Supply and Quality,” worldbank.orgSuch programs prioritize resilient, climate-ready networks, so procurement specifications increasingly insist on meters that tolerate variable flows, handle aggressive chemicals, and stream encrypted data to cloud dashboards. Lead pipe replacement and PFAS treatment rules further expand the flow meters market by introducing specialized measurement needs within treatment plants.
Energy-sector safety and accuracy compliance mandates
Tighter methane rules in oil and gas, plus emission caps for power generators, make certified flow data indispensable for audits and carbon accounting.[2]U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Modernizing America’s Water Infrastructure,” epa.govOperators are upgrading to custody-transfer-grade Coriolis and ultrasonic devices that maintain sub-1% uncertainty under wide turndown ratios. Real-time monitoring also feeds continuous emissions reporting systems, shifting flow meters from purely operational tools to strategic enablers of ESG disclosures and tax credit claims.
Brownfield demand for battery-powered clamp-on retrofits
Legacy plants often lack spare I/O, safe access points, or downtime windows for cut-in work. Clamp-on ultrasonic units answer these issues by latching to the pipe wall, sometimes running on ten-year batteries, and streaming data over LoRaWAN or WirelessHART. Accuracy now approaches 1% of rate even on large-diameter mains, prompting refineries, chemical complexes, and district energy operators to adopt this format to expand monitoring quickly and cheaply.
Restraints Impact Analysis
Restraint | ( ~ ) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
High CAPEX of advanced Coriolis & ultrasonic meters | -0.8% | Cost-sensitive emerging markets | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Skilled calibration & maintenance talent shortage | -0.5% | Global, pronounced in North America & Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Cyber-security exposure of wireless smart meters | -0.4% | Industrialized regions | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Semiconductor shortages for ultrasonic transducers | -0.3% | Global supply-chain-dependent areas | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
High CAPEX of advanced Coriolis and ultrasonic meters
Premium devices may cost 3-5 times more than mechanical alternatives, pushing ROI horizons beyond two years for budget-restricted users.[3]Endress+Hauser, “Strategic Partnership with SICK,” endress.com Added engineering and commissioning expenses widen the gap. Suppliers respond with subscription models that convert capex into opex, yet price remains a hurdle in sectors where margins are tight or where fiscal incentives for efficiency are absent.
Skilled calibration and maintenance talent shortage
An aging workforce retires faster than colleges produce new technicians qualified to fine-tune multiphase or wireless meters. As a result, plants risk measurement drift and unplanned downtime. Vendors now bundle augmented-reality support, self-diagnostics, and factory-calibrated “plug-and-play” kits, but the talent crunch still elevates the cost of ownership and slows large-scale roll-outs.
Segment Analysis
By Technology: Electromagnetic Dominance Faces Ultrasonic Disruption
Electromagnetic instruments delivered 32.2% revenue in 2024, deriving strength from water and chemical duties where conductivity is high. This slice equates to USD 2.7 billion of the flow meters market size in that year. The format’s robust construction, absence of moving parts, and proven municipal track record underpin adoption. Yet ultrasonic revenue is expanding at a 6.5% CAGR-twice the overall pace-by leveraging clamp-on convenience, minimal pressure loss, and suitability for non-conductive fluids. In oil and gas, ultrasonic devices now command more than half of new custody-transfer orders, reflecting pipeline operators’ confidence in six-path designs and integrated diagnostics.[4]Control Global, “Life in the Fast Lane: Coriolis and Ultrasonic Flowmeters,” controlglobal.com
Ultracompact Coriolis units gain ground inside skid-mounted chemical modules, bioprocessing lines, and hydrogen filling stations, despite their premium prices. Conversely, differential-pressure and positive-displacement units lose share as plants phase out mechanical elements that require frequent recalibration. Thermal meters sustain traction in dirty gas streams where low pressure drop matters. Across the product landscape, embedded Ethernet, Bluetooth, and HART-IP interfaces become default, enabling plug-and-play cloud integration and shortened plant commissioning cycles.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Mounting/Installation: Clamp-on Solutions Accelerate Retrofit Adoption
Inline devices retained a 47.6% share of the flow meters market in 2024, performing reliably in new greenfield builds. These units often couple with integral valves, pressure taps, or sampling ports that simplify life-cycle maintenance. Nonetheless, clamp-on formats now post a 7.4% CAGR by bypassing shutdowns: technicians affix transducers to the pipe wall, validate signal strength via smartphone apps, and push data to SCADA within hours. The approach wins favor in pulp mills, refinery tank farms, and district energy loops where interruption costs exceed equipment spend.
Insertion probes maintain relevance for large-bore conduits above 2 m where full-bore meters are prohibitively expensive. Even so, hybrid strategies emerge: end users deploy a permanent inline device on critical lines and complement it with roaming clamp-on kits for troubleshooting. Battery-powered variants further broaden options by serving remote wells or irrigation pivots without grid power. Together, these mounting choices allow operators to optimize capex while scaling sensor density in line with predictive maintenance objectives.
By Fluid Type: Gas Measurement Gains Momentum During Energy Transition
Liquid duties delivered 61.7% of 2024 revenue, but growth moderates as municipal water networks mature. Gas services, in contrast, log a 6.1% CAGR, propelled by tighter methane accounting and by pipeline operators upgrading to high-path ultrasonics that meet AGA-9 custody transfer standards. Hydrogen pilot plants and ammonia export terminals add fresh demand for meters that can handle low-density, high-velocity streams. The steam niche remains steady in combined-cycle power plants and district heating schemes where energy balancing requires accurate mass flow.
Multiphase measurement inching into CCUS projects represents the next frontier. CO₂ pipelines need devices that maintain accuracy across changing phase states, driving collaborations to create standardized calibration rigs. Elsewhere, methane slip monitoring in LNG carriers, renewable natural gas feedstocks, and biogas digesters widens the customer base for gas-optimized technologies.
By End-user Industry: Water Sector Leadership Drives Infrastructure Modernization
With 29.3% of 2024 revenue, utilities and water treatment plants anchor the flow meters market. Federal funding of USD 50 billion accelerates the replacement of legacy mechanical registers with electronic meters that feed district-level dashboards. The same utilities deploy electromagnetic channels inside clarifiers, sludge lines, and chemical dosing skids, unlocking actionable data for leak reduction and pump optimization. In oil and gas, ongoing flaring rules and methane taxes elevate the need for ultrasonic custody transfer and Coriolis mass measurement.
Process industries such as chemical, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals adopt sanitary-design meters with 3-A or EHEDG certifications. Krohne’s single-use Flexmag 4050C underscores the trend toward disposable flow paths in biotech. Power generators retrofit condensate and boiler feeds with high-temperature vortex or Coriolis technologies to align with carbon caps. Metals, mining, and pulp sectors demand rugged products that withstand abrasive slurries, extending electromagnetic and ultrasonic units armored with reinforced liners.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Communication/Connectivity: Wireless Technologies Transform Remote Monitoring
Classic wired buses-HART, Modbus, Profibus-still link 71.8% of the installed base, preferred for deterministic control and intrinsic safety ratings. Yet wireless connections chart a 9.4% CAGR by cutting trenching costs and enabling sensor placement in previously inaccessible spots. Utilities in smart-meter rollouts now insist on NB-IoT or LoRa options that pair decade-long battery life with hourly data transmission. In factories, WirelessHART gateways mesh flow meters with pumps, valves, and temperature nodes, supporting mobile dashboards and cloud analytics.
Edge processors integrated within transmitters filter, compress, and encrypt data at the source, easing bandwidth loads and hardening cyber defenses. Hybrid network architectures become standard: fiber or Ethernet rings handle critical loops, while wireless links address secondary or mobile measurement points. As 5G private networks spread, real-time flow data feed closed-loop control systems and digital twins, blurring the line between automation and IT domains.
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific dominated 2024 revenue at 44.1%, equal to about USD 3.7 billion of the flow meters market size. This leadership rests on China’s energy-transition plan to deploy 100 GW of flow batteries by 2030 and India’s fast-growing manufacturing zones that favor smart utilities. Robust public spending on desalination, hydropower, and municipal water drives sustained procurement of electromagnetic and ultrasonic models across the region. Japan, South Korea, and Australia deepen demand through hydrogen pilot corridors and long-duration storage mandates.
North America follows, where infrastructure renewal rather than greenfield expansion fuels uptake. The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act earmarked USD 55 billion for water assets and unlocks new cycles of electronic meter tenders. Simultaneously, methane regulations reinforce adoption in upstream and midstream segments, while CCUS hubs in Texas and Louisiana require multiphase CO₂ metering. Energy security initiatives prompt utilities to fortify grids with advanced sensors that enable situational awareness during extreme weather events.
Europe sustains mid-single-digit growth by combining smart-meter targets and decarbonization policy. Scandinavian and Iberian utilities already boast near-universal smart electricity metering, and second-generation devices integrate water and gas flows onto the same platform. The region’s density of district heating systems also favors ultrasonic heat meters and thermal energy billing solutions. Meanwhile, data-sovereignty laws and privacy concerns slow adoption in Germany and the United Kingdom, adding complexity to vendor roll-outs.
The Middle East & Africa delivers the fastest CAGR at 7.1%, propelled by USD 3.7 trillion of construction contracts that span water reuse plants, hydrogen pilot sites, and mega-cities. Harsh climates demand meters built for 60 °C ambient heat and sand-laden fluids. Ambitious desalination programs in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates further lift sales of corrosion-resistant electromagnetic devices. South America contributes steady incremental growth, led by Brazilian mining, petrochemical, and utilities upgrades financed by development banks.

Competitive Landscape
Competition remains moderate: the top five vendors hold an estimated 55% of 2024 revenues, leaving ample room for niche specialists. Emerson, Endress+Hauser, and Siemens sustain their edge by bundling meters with cloud analytics, digital service agreements, and global calibration centers. Endress+Hauser’s joint venture with SICK merges gas analytics with automation know-how to pursue CCUS and hydrogen applications Emerson’s Flexim acquisition accelerates clamp-on penetration and adds non-intrusive gas capabilities that complement its Micro Motion Coriolis line.
M&A reshapes the landscape: in 2024 Dwyer-Omega bought Process Sensing Technologies to close gaps in gas analytics, while Malema extended its Coriolis portfolio for high-void-fraction chemical duties. Smaller innovators target single pain points: ARTang focuses on IP69K-rated sanitary units for food plants, and Elmos Semiconductor supplies custom ultrasonic ASICs that shrink transmitter footprints. Digital differentiation outweighs mechanical tweaks; firmware upgrades now deliver new features such as AI-based viscosity compensation or automated drift alerts.
Channel strategies evolve as well. Tier-one vendors pitch subscription models that bundle hardware, software, and calibration in multi-year deals, shifting risk off plant owners and locking in recurring revenue. Regional specialists counter by offering white-label ODM services or by mastering tough environments—from cryogenic LNG to abrasive tailings—in which global brands may lack localized expertise. Cybersecurity credentials, IEC 62443 certification, and zero-trust architectures emerge as table stakes for winning tenders in critical infrastructure.
Flow Meters Industry Leaders
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Yokogawa Electric Corporation
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ABB Ltd
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Siemens AG
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Bronkhorst High-Tech BV
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Honeywell International Inc.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Recent Industry Developments
- April 2025: Emerson introduced the Flexim FLUXUS / PIOX 731 series, a new range of non-intrusive, clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters. The series includes nine models with advanced volumetric and mass flow sensing technologies. They provide accurate measurements for liquids and gases without any pressure limitations on the process media.
- March 2025: Krohne showcased the Flexmag 4050C single-use electromagnetic meter at INTERPHEX 2025, offering factory calibration for biopharma filtration
- March 2025: ARTang introduced the Aimag H IP69K-rated sanitary electromagnetic model for food and beverage lines
- January 2025: Endress+Hauser and SICK launched their joint venture to merge gas analytics with process automation
Global Flow Meters Market Report Scope
Flow meters, also known as flow sensors, gauge and document the flow rate of both liquids and gases within a confined transmission system. These devices operate based on various principles, including orifice meters, venturi meters, rotameters, and flow nozzles.
Industrial Flow Meter Market is segmented by technology (coriolis, electromagnetic [in-line magnetic flowmeters, low flow magnetic flowmeters, insertion], differential pressure, ultrasonic [clamp-on, in-line], other technologies), by end-user industry (oil and gas, water, and wastewater, chemical and petrochemical, food and beverage, pulp and paper, other end user industries), and by geography (North America [United States, Canada], Europe [United Kingdom, Germany, France, Rest of Europe], Asia Pacific [China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia Pacific], Latin America, Middle East, and Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD) and for all the above segments.
By Technology | Volumetric | Differential Pressure | ||
Electromagnetic | ||||
Ultrasonic | ||||
Turbine | ||||
Positive Displacement | ||||
Vortex | ||||
Mass | Coriolis | |||
Thermal Mass | ||||
By Mounting/Installation | In-line | |||
Clamp-on/External | ||||
Insertion | ||||
By Fluid Type | Liquid | |||
Gas | ||||
Steam | ||||
By End-user Industry | Oil and Gas | |||
Water and Wastewater | ||||
Chemical and Petrochemical | ||||
Power Generation | ||||
Food and Beverage | ||||
Pulp and Paper | ||||
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology | ||||
Metals and Mining | ||||
Other End-user Industries | ||||
By Communication/Connectivity | Wired (HART, FF, Modbus, Profibus) | |||
Wireless (WirelessHART, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, BLE/Wi-Fi) | ||||
By Geography | North America | United States | ||
Canada | ||||
Mexico | ||||
South America | Brazil | |||
Argentina | ||||
Rest of South America | ||||
Europe | Germany | |||
United Kingdom | ||||
France | ||||
Italy | ||||
Spain | ||||
Russia | ||||
Rest of Europe | ||||
Asia-Pacific | China | |||
Japan | ||||
India | ||||
South Korea | ||||
Australia | ||||
ASEAN | ||||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||||
Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | ||
United Arab Emirates | ||||
Qatar | ||||
Turkey | ||||
Rest of Middle East | ||||
Africa | South Africa | |||
Nigeria | ||||
Egypt | ||||
Rest of Africa |
Volumetric | Differential Pressure |
Electromagnetic | |
Ultrasonic | |
Turbine | |
Positive Displacement | |
Vortex | |
Mass | Coriolis |
Thermal Mass |
In-line |
Clamp-on/External |
Insertion |
Liquid |
Gas |
Steam |
Oil and Gas |
Water and Wastewater |
Chemical and Petrochemical |
Power Generation |
Food and Beverage |
Pulp and Paper |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
Metals and Mining |
Other End-user Industries |
Wired (HART, FF, Modbus, Profibus) |
Wireless (WirelessHART, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, BLE/Wi-Fi) |
North America | United States | ||
Canada | |||
Mexico | |||
South America | Brazil | ||
Argentina | |||
Rest of South America | |||
Europe | Germany | ||
United Kingdom | |||
France | |||
Italy | |||
Spain | |||
Russia | |||
Rest of Europe | |||
Asia-Pacific | China | ||
Japan | |||
India | |||
South Korea | |||
Australia | |||
ASEAN | |||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | |
United Arab Emirates | |||
Qatar | |||
Turkey | |||
Rest of Middle East | |||
Africa | South Africa | ||
Nigeria | |||
Egypt | |||
Rest of Africa |
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current value of the flow meters market?
The flow meters market is valued at USD 8.46 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 11.25 billion by 2030, implying a 5.87% CAGR.
Which technology leads the flow meters market today?
Electromagnetic meters hold the lead with 32.2% market share in 2024, thanks to broad use in water and wastewater systems.
Why are clamp-on meters gaining popularity?
Clamp-on ultrasonic designs avoid process shutdowns, cut installation costs, and now offer accuracy within 1% of inline devices, making them attractive for brownfield retrofits.
Which region will see the fastest growth?
The Middle East & Africa is projected to expand at a 7.1% CAGR through 2030, driven by USD 3.7 trillion in infrastructure projects that demand advanced flow measurement.
Which region has the biggest share in Flow Meters Market?
In 2025, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Flow Meters Market.
How are regulatory changes influencing demand?
Stricter methane and emissions rules in North America and Europe require continuous, high-accuracy flow monitoring, accelerating upgrades to Coriolis and ultrasonic systems.
What challenges could restrain market growth?
High upfront costs for premium meters, a shortage of skilled calibration technicians, cybersecurity risks in wireless deployments, and semiconductor supply constraints all have the potential to dampen adoption rates.
Page last updated on: June 18, 2025