Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal Converter
Convert inches of mercury to kilopascals with our free online pressure converter.
Quick Answer
1 Inch of Mercury = 3.386389 kilopascals
Formula: Inch of Mercury Γ conversion factor = Kilopascal
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal Calculator
How to Use the Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Inch of Mercury).
- The converted value in Kilopascal will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Pressure category.
- Click the swap button (β) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
kPa = inHg Γ 3.38639Example Calculation:
1 inHg = 3.386389 kPa
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
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Need to convert to other pressure units?
View all Pressure conversions βWhat is a Inch of Mercury and a Kilopascal?
1 inHg = 3,386.39 Pa = 3.386 kPa = 33.86 mbar = 33.86 hPa = 0.491 PSI = 0.0334 bar = 0.0334 atm = 25.4 mmHg
Key relationship: 29.92 inHg = 1 atmosphere (exactly)
Origin: Mercury Column
The unit literally measures how high mercury rises:
- Historical: Barometers invented in 1600s used mercury column
- Measurement: Mercury rises/falls with atmospheric pressure
- 1 inHg: Mercury column exactly 1 inch high
- 29.92 inHg: Mercury rises 29.92 inches at sea level (1 atm)
- Why mercury?: Highest density liquid (narrow barometer), visible, stable
1 kPa = 1,000 Pa = 0.145038 PSI = 0.01 bar = 10 hPa = 10 mbar = 0.00987 atm = 7.5 mmHg
Why Kilopascal?
The kilopascal is the practical SI unit for everyday pressures:
- Pascal is too small: 1 Pa = fingernail scratch pressure (not useful)
- Megapascal is too large: 1 MPa = industrial level (uncommon for most uses)
- Kilopascal is "just right": 100-300 kPa range covers most everyday pressures
- SI standard: International standard for tire pressure, medical, engineering
- Clean conversions: Exactly 0.145 PSI, exactly 0.01 bar
Note: The Inch of Mercury is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Kilopascal belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
Common Uses and Applications: inches of mercury vs kilopascals
Explore the typical applications for both Inch of Mercury (imperial/US) and Kilopascal (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for inches of mercury
US Weather: Barometric pressure in weather forecasts, NOAA reports - THE US standard. Aviation: Altimeter settings (US standard, some international - critical for flight safety). HVAC: Vacuum measurements, duct pressure, system diagnostics. Historical meteorology: Traditional US measurement since early 1900s.
When to Use kilopascals
Automotive: Tire pressure (international standard, except USA).
- Car manufacturers specify tire pressure in kPa on door jamb
- Repair manuals use kPa
- Tire pressure gauges often have kPa scale
Medical: Blood pressure equipment (replacing mmHg in some regions).
- Modern digital blood pressure monitors often display kPa
- Medical research uses kPa
- Gradual transition from mmHg (some regions still use mmHg)
Meteorology: Atmospheric pressure (101.325 kPa at sea level).
- European weather reports sometimes use kPa
- Upper atmosphere measurements in kPa
- Pressure profiling in meteorology
Engineering: Structural loads, material strength, HVAC systems.
- Material testing: tensile strength in MPa, stress in kPa
- Building code pressure ratings in kPa
- Water system specifications in kPa
Additional Unit Information
About Inch of Mercury (inHg)
How do I convert inHg to PSI?
Formula: PSI = inHg Γ 0.491154
Examples:
- 29.92 inHg = 14.7 PSI (sea level)
- 30 inHg = 14.74 PSI
- 28 inHg = 13.75 PSI (hurricane)
- 25 inHg = 12.28 PSI
- 20 inHg = 9.82 PSI
How many inHg is normal atmospheric pressure?
Standard sea level = 29.92 inHg (exactly 1 atmosphere)
Typical weather range: 29.4-30.5 inHg
Pressure variations:
- High pressure: 30.2-30.5 inHg (fair weather)
- Normal: 29.8-30.2 inHg
- Low pressure: 29.4-29.8 inHg (rain likely)
- Storm: <29.4 inHg
Barometer rising/falling:
- Rising: Improving weather
- Steady: Conditions stable
- Falling: Weather deteriorating
How do I convert inHg to mbar or hPa?
Formula: mbar (or hPa) = inHg Γ 33.8639
Examples:
- 29.92 inHg = 1,013.25 mbar = 1,013.25 hPa (standard)
- 30.0 inHg = 1,016 mbar
- 29.0 inHg = 982 mbar (low pressure)
- 28.0 inHg = 948 mbar (hurricane)
- 31.0 inHg = 1,050 mbar (high pressure)
inHg to mbar converter β inHg to hPa converter β
Why does US use inHg instead of mbar/hPa?
Historical: US adopted imperial/customary units Mercury barometers: Traditionally marked in inches in US Weather tradition: NOAA, Weather Channel use inHg since inception Familiarity: Public knows "normal is about 30 inches" Aviation: US pilots trained with inHg altimeter settings
Rest of world: Uses mbar or hPa (metric standard)
Conversion: 30 inHg β 1,000 mbar (approximately)
Trend: Slow transitionβsome US reports now show both units
How do I read a mercury barometer in inHg?
How it works: Mercury column rises/falls with atmospheric pressure
Reading:
- Look at top of mercury meniscus (curved surface)
- Read scale at eye level to avoid parallax error
- Scale typically 28-31 inHg range
Interpreting:
- 30.2-30.5 inHg: High pressure (fair, clear weather)
- 29.8-30.2 inHg: Normal (stable conditions)
- 29.4-29.8 inHg: Low pressure (clouds, possible rain)
- <29.4 inHg: Very low (storm likely)
Trend matters: Falling rapidly = weather worsening; Rising = improving
Adjustment: Correct for altitude (sea level reading)
About Kilopascal (kPa)
How do I convert kPa to PSI?
Formula: PSI = kPa Γ 0.145038 (or kPa Γ· 6.895)
Examples:
- 100 kPa = 14.5 PSI
- 200 kPa = 29 PSI (bicycle tire)
- 220 kPa = 32 PSI (typical car tire)
- 240 kPa = 35 PSI (SUV tire)
- 600 kPa = 87 PSI (road bike)
What is 32 PSI in kPa?
32 PSI = 220.6 kPa (standard car tire pressure)
Common tire pressures:
- 30 PSI = 207 kPa
- 32 PSI = 221 kPa (most common)
- 35 PSI = 241 kPa (SUVs, loaded vehicles)
- 40 PSI = 276 kPa (trucks, some SUVs)
How many kPa in 1 bar?
1 bar = 100 kPa exactly
Examples:
- 0.5 bar = 50 kPa
- 1 bar = 100 kPa
- 2 bar = 200 kPa (bicycle tire)
- 2.5 bar = 250 kPa (car tire)
- 10 bar = 1,000 kPa = 1 MPa
Why do some countries use kPa and others PSI for tires?
kPa (kilopascal): International standard (SI unit)
- Used in: Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, most of world
- Metric system, easier calculations
- Appears on all tire sidewalls globally
PSI (pounds per square inch): US customary unit
- Used in: United States primarily
- Imperial system, traditional in US
- Also appears on tire sidewalls
Dual labeling: Modern tires show both (e.g., "32 PSI / 220 kPa")
Conversion tip: Multiply kPa by 0.145 to get PSI, or divide PSI by 6.895 to get kPa
Is kPa replacing mmHg for blood pressure?
Transitioning, but slow:
mmHg still dominant: Most medical equipment, patient communication uses mmHg kPa in some regions: SI-compliant medical devices show kPa Dual display: Many modern BP monitors show both
Why slow transition?:
- Historical familiarity (120/80 mmHg)
- Medical education based on mmHg
- Patient understanding
- International guidelines still use mmHg
Conversion: 1 kPa β 7.5 mmHg, so 120/80 mmHg = 16/10.7 kPa (less intuitive)
Conversion Table: Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal
| Inch of Mercury (inHg) | Kilopascal (kPa) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.693 |
| 1 | 3.386 |
| 1.5 | 5.08 |
| 2 | 6.773 |
| 5 | 16.932 |
| 10 | 33.864 |
| 25 | 84.66 |
| 50 | 169.32 |
| 100 | 338.639 |
| 250 | 846.597 |
| 500 | 1,693.195 |
| 1,000 | 3,386.389 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal?
To convert Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal, enter the value in Inch of Mercury in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our pressure converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more βWhat is the conversion factor from Inch of Mercury to Kilopascal?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Inch of Mercury and Kilopascal. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Kilopascal back to Inch of Mercury?
Yes! You can easily convert Kilopascal back to Inch of Mercury by using the swap button (β) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Kilopascal to Inch of Mercury converter page. You can also explore other pressure conversions on our category page.
Learn more βWhat are common uses for Inch of Mercury and Kilopascal?
Inch of Mercury and Kilopascal are both standard units used in pressure measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our pressure converter for more conversion options.
For more pressure conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
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All Pressure Conversions
Other Pressure Units and Conversions
Explore other pressure units and their conversion options:
- Pascal (Pa) β’ Inch of Mercury to Pascal
- Megapascal (MPa) β’ Inch of Mercury to Megapascal
- Hectopascal (hPa) β’ Inch of Mercury to Hectopascal
- Bar (bar) β’ Inch of Mercury to Bar
- Millibar (mbar) β’ Inch of Mercury to Millibar
- Atmosphere (atm) β’ Inch of Mercury to Atmosphere
- Technical Atmosphere (at) β’ Inch of Mercury to Technical Atmosphere
- Torr (Torr) β’ Inch of Mercury to Torr
- Millimeter of Mercury (mmHg) β’ Inch of Mercury to Millimeter of Mercury
- Pound per Square Inch (psi) β’ Inch of Mercury to Pound per Square Inch
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology β Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures β International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards
International Organization for Standardization β Quantities and units international standards series
Last verified: February 19, 2026