Kilopascal to Millibar Converter
Convert kilopascals to millibars with our free online pressure converter.
Quick Answer
1 Kilopascal = 10 millibars
Formula: Kilopascal ร conversion factor = Millibar
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.
Kilopascal to Millibar Calculator
How to Use the Kilopascal to Millibar Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilopascal).
- The converted value in Millibar will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Pressure category.
- Click the swap button (โ) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Kilopascal to Millibar: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Kilopascal to Millibar involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
mbar = kPa ร 10Example Calculation:
1 kPa = 10 mbar
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.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
Need to convert to other pressure units?
View all Pressure conversions โWhat is a Kilopascal and a Millibar?
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
1 mbar = 100 Pa = 1 hPa (exactly) = 0.001 bar = 0.0145 PSI = 0.75 mmHg = 0.000987 atm
Key relationship: 1 mbar = 1 hPa (exact equivalence)
Note: The Kilopascal is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Millibar belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
Common Uses and Applications: kilopascals vs millibars
Explore the typical applications for both Kilopascal (imperial/US) and Millibar (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for 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
When to Use millibars
Aviation: Altimeter settings (pilots say "1015 millibars"). Maritime: Marine weather forecasts, ship barometers. Meteorology: Historical weather data (pre-1980s). Diving: Depth pressure calculations (sometimes).
Additional Unit Information
About Kilopascal (kPa)
How do I convert kPa to PSI?
Formula: PSI = kPa ร 0.145038 (or kPa รท 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 โ 7.5 mmHg, so 120/80 mmHg = 16/10.7 kPa (less intuitive)
About Millibar (mbar)
Is mbar the same as hPa?
Yes! 1 mbar = 1 hPa exactly (just different names, same value)
Millibar (mbar):
- Traditional meteorology unit (1900s-1980s)
- Still used: Aviation, maritime, older weather services
- Pilots/mariners: "Set altimeter to 1015 millibars"
Hectopascal (hPa):
- SI-compliant name (1980s-present)
- Modern: Weather services worldwide officially use hPa
- Scientific: Consistent with SI unit system
No conversion needed: 1,013 mbar = 1,013 hPa (identical)
Why two names?: Transition to SI units in 1980s. Chose "hectopascal" because 1 hPa = 1 mbar exactly, making transition seamless. Old term persists in aviation/maritime.
How do I convert mbar to PSI?
Formula: PSI = mbar ร 0.0145038
Examples:
- 1,013 mbar = 14.7 PSI (sea level)
- 1,000 mbar = 14.5 PSI
- 900 mbar = 13.05 PSI (storm)
- 800 mbar = 11.6 PSI
- 500 mbar = 7.25 PSI (FL180)
What is normal atmospheric pressure in mbar?
Standard sea level: 1,013.25 mbar (exactly, by definition)
Typical range: 980-1,050 mbar depending on weather
Pressure variations:
- Fair weather (high): 1,020-1,040 mbar
- Normal range: 1,000-1,020 mbar
- Stormy (low): 980-1,000 mbar
- Hurricane: <980 mbar
Regional/seasonal: Varies ยฑ30 mbar from standard
Altitude: Decreases ~12 mbar per 100m near sea level
What mbar is considered high or low pressure?
High pressure (anticyclone):
- Strong high: >1,030 mbar (stable, clear weather)
- Moderate high: 1,020-1,030 mbar (fair weather)
Normal pressure: 1,005-1,020 mbar
Low pressure (cyclone):
- Moderate low: 990-1,005 mbar (cloudy, possible rain)
- Strong low: 970-990 mbar (rain, wind)
- Very low: <970 mbar (storms, gales)
Extreme low: <920 mbar (major hurricanes/typhoons)
Context matters: 1,000 mbar may be "low" in winter high-pressure region, "high" in tropical area.
Why do pilots still say "millibar" instead of "hectopascal"?
Historical training: Aviation training used mbar for decades International: ICAO (aviation authority) still references millibars Brevity: "Millibar" rolls off tongue easier than "hectopascal" Tradition: Aviation conservative about terminology changes Communication: Older pilots, documents use mbar
Modern transition:
- Official: ICAO now uses hPa in documents
- Practice: Pilots use both terms interchangeably
- Altimeter: Settings shown as "1013 hPa" or "1013 mb"
No confusion: Since 1 mbar = 1 hPa exactly, using either term causes no errors.
Maritime similar: Sailors also prefer "millibar" from tradition.
Conversion Table: Kilopascal to Millibar
| Kilopascal (kPa) | Millibar (mbar) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5 |
| 1 | 10 |
| 1.5 | 15 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 5 | 50 |
| 10 | 100 |
| 25 | 250 |
| 50 | 500 |
| 100 | 1,000 |
| 250 | 2,500 |
| 500 | 5,000 |
| 1,000 | 10,000 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Kilopascal to Millibar?
To convert Kilopascal to Millibar, enter the value in Kilopascal 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 โWhat is the conversion factor from Kilopascal to Millibar?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Kilopascal and Millibar. 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 Millibar back to Kilopascal?
Yes! You can easily convert Millibar back to Kilopascal by using the swap button (โ) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Millibar to Kilopascal converter page. You can also explore other pressure conversions on our category page.
Learn more โWhat are common uses for Kilopascal and Millibar?
Kilopascal and Millibar 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.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
๐ How to Convert Units
Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.
๐ข Conversion Formulas
Essential formulas for pressure and other conversions.
โ๏ธ Metric vs Imperial
Understand the differences between measurement systems.
โ ๏ธ Common Mistakes
Learn about frequent errors and how to avoid them.
All Pressure Conversions
Other Pressure Units and Conversions
Explore other pressure units and their conversion options:
- Pascal (Pa) โข Kilopascal to Pascal
- Megapascal (MPa) โข Kilopascal to Megapascal
- Hectopascal (hPa) โข Kilopascal to Hectopascal
- Bar (bar) โข Kilopascal to Bar
- Atmosphere (atm) โข Kilopascal to Atmosphere
- Technical Atmosphere (at) โข Kilopascal to Technical Atmosphere
- Torr (Torr) โข Kilopascal to Torr
- Millimeter of Mercury (mmHg) โข Kilopascal to Millimeter of Mercury
- Inch of Mercury (inHg) โข Kilopascal to Inch of Mercury
- Pound per Square Inch (psi) โข Kilopascal 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 โ Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures โ International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards
International Organization for Standardization โ Quantities and units international standards series
Last verified: February 19, 2026