Pressure Unit Converter
Convert between different units of pressure
About Pressure Conversions
Convert between different units of pressure
Convert between 17 different pressure units including Pascal, Kilopascal, Megapascal, Hectopascal, Bar, and more. Our free online converter provides instant, accurate conversions with formulas, examples, and conversion tables.
Quick Start: Pressure Conversions
Convert between 17+ pressure units instantly. Perfect for automotive (tire pressure), HVAC, weather forecasting, medical equipment, hydraulics, pneumatics, and engineering applications.
Most Popular Conversions:
- PSI to Bar - Tire pressure & hydraulics
- Bar to PSI - European to US specs
- Pascal to PSI - Scientific to practical
- Kilopascal to PSI - Metric to imperial
- mmHg to PSI - Medical to engineering
Understanding Pressure Conversions
Pressure is force applied over an area—the amount of force distributed per unit of surface. It's fundamental in engineering, meteorology, medicine, automotive, HVAC, hydraulics, pneumatics, and countless industrial applications.
Why Pressure Conversion Matters
Automotive & Transportation: Tire pressure specifications vary by region—US uses PSI, Europe uses bar, Asia often uses kPa. Correct tire pressure is critical for safety, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity.
HVAC & Refrigeration: Air conditioning systems, refrigeration, and climate control use various pressure units. Technicians must convert between PSI, bar, and kPa when working with international equipment.
Weather & Aviation: Weather reports use millibars (mbar) or hectopascals (hPa) for atmospheric pressure. Aviation altimeters use inches of mercury (inHg). Understanding conversions helps interpret forecasts and flight conditions.
Medical & Healthcare: Blood pressure is measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Medical gases and equipment may use PSI, bar, or kPa depending on manufacturer and region.
Engineering & Manufacturing: Hydraulic systems, pneumatic tools, pressure vessels, and industrial processes require precise pressure specifications. Engineers must convert between units when working with international standards and equipment.
Common Pressure Units Explained
SI (Metric) Units
Pascal (Pa) - Base Unit: The fundamental SI unit of pressure. 1 Pascal = 1 Newton per square meter (N/m²). Very small for practical applications, so kilo- and mega- prefixes are common.
Kilopascal (kPa): 1,000 Pascals. Standard metric unit for automotive tire pressure, HVAC systems, and general engineering. Common in Canada, Australia, Asia.
Megapascal (MPa): 1,000,000 Pascals (1,000 kPa). Used for high-pressure applications like hydraulic systems, material testing, and industrial processes.
Hectopascal (hPa): 100 Pascals. Identical to millibar (mbar). Standard unit for weather reports and aviation worldwide. Sea-level atmospheric pressure ≈ 1013 hPa.
Bar: 100,000 Pascals (100 kPa). Very close to atmospheric pressure at sea level. Widely used in Europe for tire pressure, HVAC, hydraulics, and industrial applications.
Millibar (mbar): 1/1000th of a bar (100 Pascals). Identical to hectopascal. Used in meteorology and aviation for atmospheric pressure readings.
Imperial / US Customary Units
PSI (Pounds per Square Inch): The most common pressure unit in the United States. Ubiquitous in automotive (tire pressure), pneumatic tools, air compressors, plumbing, and HVAC.
KSI (Kilopounds per Square Inch): 1,000 PSI. Used for very high pressures in structural engineering, material testing, and heavy industrial applications.
Atmospheric Pressure Units
Atmosphere (atm): Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level (101,325 Pa ≈ 14.7 PSI ≈ 1.013 bar). Used as a reference in chemistry, physics, and diving.
Technical Atmosphere (at): 1 kilogram-force per square centimeter (kgf/cm²). Historical metric unit, still used in some engineering contexts.
Mercury & Water Column
Millimeter of Mercury (mmHg): Pressure exerted by 1mm column of mercury. Standard unit for blood pressure and medical applications. Also called "Torr" in scientific contexts.
Torr: Defined as 1/760th of standard atmospheric pressure. Exactly equal to mmHg. Used in vacuum technology and scientific applications.
Inch of Mercury (inHg): Pressure exerted by 1 inch column of mercury. Used in US weather reports, aviation altimeters, and barometric pressure.
Millimeter of Water Column (mmH₂O): Pressure exerted by 1mm column of water. Used for low-pressure applications like ventilation, gas supply, and draft measurement.
Inch of Water Column (inH₂O): Pressure exerted by 1 inch column of water. Common in HVAC for measuring static pressure in ducts.
Kilogram-force Units
Kilogram-force per Square Centimeter (kgf/cm²): Force of 1 kilogram-mass under standard gravity on 1 cm². Common in older metric engineering literature and some industrial contexts.
Kilogram-force per Square Meter (kgf/m²): Force of 1 kilogram-mass under standard gravity on 1 m². Rarely used but appears in some technical specifications.
Conversion Quick Reference
Common Conversions
| From | To | Multiply By | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSI | Bar | 0.0689476 | 30 psi = 2.07 bar |
| Bar | PSI | 14.5038 | 2 bar = 29.0 psi |
| PSI | kPa | 6.89476 | 50 psi = 344.7 kPa |
| kPa | PSI | 0.145038 | 200 kPa = 29.0 psi |
| Bar | kPa | 100 | 2.5 bar = 250 kPa |
| kPa | Bar | 0.01 | 350 kPa = 3.5 bar |
| Atm | PSI | 14.6959 | 1 atm = 14.7 psi |
| mmHg | PSI | 0.0193368 | 120 mmHg = 2.32 psi |
Atmospheric Pressure at Sea Level
Standard atmosphere (various units):
- 101,325 Pascals (Pa)
- 101.325 Kilopascals (kPa)
- 0.101325 Megapascals (MPa)
- 1,013.25 Hectopascals (hPa)
- 1,013.25 Millibars (mbar)
- 1.01325 Bar
- 14.6959 PSI
- 1 Atmosphere (atm)
- 1.03323 Technical atmospheres (at)
- 760 Torr
- 760 mmHg
- 29.92 inHg
- 10,332 mmH₂O
- 406.8 inH₂O
Within Metric System
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| MPa | kPa | 1,000 |
| kPa | Pa | 1,000 |
| Bar | kPa | 100 |
| hPa | Pa | 100 |
| mbar | hPa | 1 (identical) |
Practical Pressure Examples
Automotive & Tires
Typical Tire Pressures (passenger cars):
- Standard: 32-35 PSI (2.2-2.4 bar / 220-240 kPa)
- High-performance: 36-40 PSI (2.5-2.8 bar / 250-280 kPa)
- Light trucks/SUVs: 35-45 PSI (2.4-3.1 bar / 240-310 kPa)
- Underinflated warning: <25 PSI (<1.7 bar / <170 kPa)
- Race cars (cold): 25-30 PSI (1.7-2.1 bar)
- Race cars (hot): 35-40 PSI (2.4-2.8 bar)
Bicycle Tires:
- Road bike: 80-130 PSI (5.5-9.0 bar)
- Mountain bike: 25-50 PSI (1.7-3.4 bar)
- Hybrid bike: 50-70 PSI (3.4-4.8 bar)
Weather & Atmospheric Pressure
Barometric Pressure (Sea Level):
- Standard atmosphere: 1013.25 mbar (29.92 inHg / 14.7 PSI)
- High pressure system: 1020-1040 mbar (30.1-30.7 inHg)
- Low pressure system: 980-1000 mbar (28.9-29.5 inHg)
- Strong low pressure: 950-980 mbar (28.1-28.9 inHg)
- Hurricane/Typhoon center: 880-950 mbar (26.0-28.1 inHg)
- Record low (Typhoon Tip): 870 mbar (25.7 inHg)
Altitude Effects:
- Sea level: 1013 mbar
- 5,000 ft (1,524 m): 843 mbar
- 10,000 ft (3,048 m): 697 mbar
- 18,000 ft (5,486 m): 500 mbar
- 29,029 ft (Mt. Everest): 337 mbar
Medical Applications
Blood Pressure (mmHg):
- Normal: 120/80 mmHg (systolic/diastolic)
- Elevated: 120-129 / <80 mmHg
- High (Stage 1): 130-139 / 80-89 mmHg
- High (Stage 2): ≥140 / ≥90 mmHg
- Hypertensive crisis: >180 / >120 mmHg
- Low (hypotension): <90 / <60 mmHg
Medical Gas Cylinders:
- Oxygen cylinder (full): 2,000-2,200 PSI (137-152 bar)
- Compressed air (hospital): 50 PSI (3.4 bar)
- CPAP machines: 4-20 cmH₂O (0.06-0.3 PSI)
HVAC & Refrigeration
Air Conditioning (R-410A):
- Low side (suction): 118-138 PSI (8.1-9.5 bar)
- High side (discharge): 250-450 PSI (17.2-31.0 bar)
Refrigeration Systems:
- Walk-in cooler: 20-40 PSI (1.4-2.8 bar)
- Walk-in freezer: 0-20 PSI (0-1.4 bar)
HVAC Duct Pressure:
- Residential ductwork: 0.1-0.5 inH₂O (25-125 Pa)
- Commercial HVAC: 1-3 inH₂O (250-750 Pa)
Industrial & Hydraulics
Compressed Air:
- Workshop tools: 90-120 PSI (6.2-8.3 bar)
- Pneumatic systems: 80-100 PSI (5.5-6.9 bar)
- Air compressor max: 125-175 PSI (8.6-12.1 bar)
Hydraulic Systems:
- Mobile hydraulics: 2,000-3,000 PSI (138-207 bar)
- Industrial hydraulics: 1,000-5,000 PSI (69-345 bar)
- High-pressure hydraulics: 10,000+ PSI (690+ bar)
Water Systems:
- Residential water main: 40-80 PSI (2.8-5.5 bar)
- Residential minimum: 20 PSI (1.4 bar)
- Fire hydrant: 50-70 PSI (3.4-4.8 bar)
- High-rise buildings: 60-100 PSI (4.1-6.9 bar)
Scuba Diving
Dive Tank Pressure:
- Aluminum 80 (full): 3,000 PSI (207 bar)
- Steel tanks (full): 3,300-3,500 PSI (228-241 bar)
- Low pressure warning: 500 PSI (34 bar)
Underwater Pressure (per depth):
- Surface (0 ft): 1 atm (14.7 PSI)
- 33 ft (10 m): 2 atm (29.4 PSI)
- 66 ft (20 m): 3 atm (44.1 PSI)
- 99 ft (30 m): 4 atm (58.8 PSI)
Common Conversion Mistakes
Mistake 1: Confusing Absolute vs Gauge Pressure
Error: Not distinguishing between PSI and PSIG (gauge pressure) Correction:
- PSIG (gauge) = pressure relative to atmospheric (0 PSIG = 14.7 PSIA)
- PSIA (absolute) = pressure relative to perfect vacuum
- Most tire gauges, air compressors show PSIG
Mistake 2: Tire Pressure Units
Error: "My tire says 240, that's 240 PSI!" Correction: 240 kPa, not PSI! 240 kPa = 35 PSI. European cars show kPa on tire placard.
Mistake 3: Weather Pressure Confusion
Error: "Barometric pressure is 30" Correction: Specify units! Could be 30 inHg (high pressure) or 30 mbar (impossible). Standard is ~30 inHg or ~1013 mbar.
Mistake 4: Blood Pressure Units
Error: Converting mmHg to PSI for blood pressure Correction: Blood pressure is always measured in mmHg. Don't convert—120/80 mmHg is the universal standard.
Mistake 5: Bar vs mbar
Error: Using bar instead of mbar for weather Correction:
- Weather: millibar (mbar) or hectopascal (hPa) - same value
- Standard atmosphere = 1.013 bar = 1013 mbar
Mistake 6: Altitude Pressure Adjustments
Error: Using sea-level pressure formulas at altitude Correction: Atmospheric pressure drops ~1 inHg per 1,000 ft elevation. Adjust conversions and specifications accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert PSI to bar?
Formula: bar = PSI × 0.0689476 (or divide by 14.5038)
Examples:
- 10 PSI = 0.69 bar
- 30 PSI = 2.07 bar (typical car tire)
- 50 PSI = 3.45 bar
- 100 PSI = 6.89 bar (air compressor)
Quick mental math: Divide PSI by 14.5 for approximate bar:
- 30 PSI ÷ 14.5 ≈ 2.1 bar (actual: 2.07 bar)
How do I convert bar to PSI?
Formula: PSI = bar × 14.5038
Examples:
- 1 bar = 14.5 PSI
- 2 bar = 29.0 PSI (typical car tire)
- 2.5 bar = 36.3 PSI
- 5 bar = 72.5 PSI
- 10 bar = 145.0 PSI
Quick mental math: Multiply bar by 14.5 or 15:
- 2.5 bar × 15 ≈ 37.5 PSI (actual: 36.3 PSI)
What is normal tire pressure in PSI?
Passenger Cars:
- Standard: 32-35 PSI (2.2-2.4 bar / 220-240 kPa)
- Varies by vehicle—check door jamb sticker
Where to find correct pressure:
- Driver's door jamb sticker (most reliable)
- Owner's manual
- Fuel filler door (some vehicles)
- NOT on the tire itself (that's max pressure)
Important: Check when tires are cold (before driving). Tire pressure increases 4-6 PSI when hot.
How many kPa is normal tire pressure?
Standard Car Tire Pressure:
- 220-240 kPa (32-35 PSI / 2.2-2.4 bar)
By vehicle type:
- Compact cars: 210-230 kPa (30-33 PSI)
- Sedans: 220-240 kPa (32-35 PSI)
- SUVs/Trucks: 240-310 kPa (35-45 PSI)
- High-performance: 250-280 kPa (36-40 PSI)
Regional differences:
- US tire placards: show PSI
- European vehicles: show bar
- Asian markets: often show kPa
What is standard atmospheric pressure?
At sea level, standard atmospheric pressure is:
- 101,325 Pascals (Pa)
- 101.325 kPa
- 1013.25 mbar or 1013.25 hPa (weather)
- 1.01325 bar
- 14.696 PSI (PSIA)
- 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg) (US weather)
- 760 mmHg or 760 Torr
- 1 atmosphere (atm)
Varies with:
- Altitude (drops ~1 inHg per 1,000 ft)
- Weather systems (high/low pressure)
- Temperature and humidity
Is PSI the same as PSIG?
No, they are different:
PSIG (Pounds per Square Inch Gauge):
- Measures pressure relative to atmospheric pressure
- 0 PSIG = atmospheric pressure
- Most pressure gauges show PSIG
- Tire gauges, air compressors, hydraulics use PSIG
PSIA (Pounds per Square Inch Absolute):
- Measures pressure relative to perfect vacuum
- 0 PSIA = absolute vacuum
- 14.7 PSIA = atmospheric pressure at sea level
- Used in scientific/engineering calculations
Conversion:
- PSIA = PSIG + 14.7 (at sea level)
- PSIG = PSIA - 14.7
Example:
- Tire showing 32 PSIG contains 46.7 PSIA total
How do I convert mmHg to PSI?
Formula: PSI = mmHg × 0.0193368
Examples:
- 760 mmHg = 14.7 PSI (1 atmosphere)
- 120 mmHg = 2.32 PSI (blood pressure systolic)
- 80 mmHg = 1.55 PSI (blood pressure diastolic)
- 100 mmHg = 1.93 PSI
Note: Blood pressure is conventionally kept in mmHg. Medical professionals don't convert to PSI.
What pressure unit is used for weather?
International Standard (worldwide):
- Millibar (mbar) or Hectopascal (hPa) - exactly the same
- Example: "1013 mbar" or "1013 hPa"
United States:
- Inches of mercury (inHg)
- Example: "29.92 inHg"
- Used in TV weather reports, aviation
Conversion:
- 1013.25 mbar = 29.92 inHg (standard atmosphere)
- To convert: inHg × 33.8639 = mbar
- Or: mbar × 0.02953 = inHg
Why different units?
- hPa/mbar: SI standard, used globally
- inHg: Traditional US unit, deeply embedded in aviation
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Popular Pressure Conversion Pairs
PSI Conversions:
Bar Conversions:
kPa Conversions:
Weather Conversions:
Medical:
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pressure
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