As energy efficiency is becoming more important today due to limited energy resources as well as their rising prices and environment issues, it is crucial to have reliable measurement data of different fluids in production processes. Because of its simplicity, affordability and reliability, orifice flow meters are again becoming subject of numerous researches. Conventional single-hole orifice (SHO) flow meter has many advantages but also some disadvantages like higher pressure drop, slower pressure recovery, lower discharge coefficient etc. Some of these disadvantages can be overcame by multi-hole orifice (MHO) flow meter while still maintaining advantages of conventional SHO meter. Both SHO and MHO flow meters with same β ratios were experimentally tested and compared. Results showed better (lower) singular pressure loss coefficient and lower pressure drop in favour of the MHO flow meter. Experimental data indicates that MHO flow meter is superior to the conventional orifice flow meter, but further research is necessary to make the MHO a drop-in replacement for a SHO flow meter. •Proposed MHO geometry hadn't been tested before with gases on midrange pressures.•Significant decrease in singular pressure loss coefficient was recorded for MHO compared to SHO.•MHO hole distribution had no significant influence to singular pressure loss coefficient.•Compared to SHO, MHO was less responsive to flow change.