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Millibar to Inch of Water Column Converter

Convert millibars to inches of water column with our free online pressure converter.

Quick Answer

1 Millibar = 0.401463 inches of water column

Formula: Millibar × conversion factor = Inch of Water Column

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

Our Accuracy Guarantee

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.

Last verified: February 2026Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

Millibar to Inch of Water Column Calculator

How to Use the Millibar to Inch of Water Column Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Millibar).
  2. The converted value in Inch of Water Column will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Pressure category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert Millibar to Inch of Water Column: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Millibar to Inch of Water Column involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

inH₂O = mbar × 0.401463

Example Calculation:

1 mbar = 0.401463 inH₂O

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.

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📋 Unit Symbols

Copy mbar & inH₂O symbols

What is a Millibar and a Inch of Water Column?

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)

1 inH₂O = 249.1 Pa = 2.491 mbar = 0.2491 hPa = 0.0361 PSI = 0.00249 bar = 0.0736 inHg = 1.868 mmH₂O

Also written as: in wc (inches water column), "H₂O, inAq

Physical meaning: Pressure exerted by 1-inch column of water at standard conditions

Note: The Millibar is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Inch of Water Column belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

Common Uses and Applications: millibars vs inches of water column

Explore the typical applications for both Millibar (imperial/US) and Inch of Water Column (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for 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).

When to Use inches of water column

HVAC: Duct pressure, fan static pressure, filter pressure drop. Building Systems: Room pressurization, clean room differentials. Industrial: Low-pressure gas systems, ventilation. Testing: Air tightness testing, pressure differential measurements.

Additional Unit Information

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 × 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)

mbar to PSI converter →

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 ±30 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.

About Inch of Water Column (inH₂O)

How do I convert inH₂O to PSI?

Formula: PSI = inH₂O × 0.0361273

Examples:

  • 1 inH₂O = 0.036 PSI
  • 2 inH₂O = 0.072 PSI (typical duct)
  • 5 inH₂O = 0.181 PSI
  • 10 inH₂O = 0.361 PSI (gas manifold)
  • 27.7 inH₂O = 1 PSI

inH₂O to PSI converter →

How do I convert inH₂O to Pascals or mbar?

Formula:

  • Pa = inH₂O × 249.1
  • mbar = inH₂O × 2.491

Examples:

  • 1 inH₂O = 249.1 Pa = 2.49 mbar
  • 0.5 inH₂O = 124.5 Pa = 1.25 mbar (residential duct)
  • 2 inH₂O = 498 Pa = 4.98 mbar (commercial duct)
  • 4 inH₂O = 996 Pa = 9.96 mbar (high static)

inH₂O to Pascal converter →

What is normal static pressure in HVAC?

Residential systems:

  • Total external static pressure: 0.4-0.8 inH₂O (target)
  • Supply side: 0.2-0.5 inH₂O
  • Return side: 0.1-0.3 inH₂O

High static pressure problems (>1.0 inH₂O total):

  • Reduced airflow
  • Higher energy costs
  • Shortened equipment life
  • Possible compressor damage

Low static pressure (<0.3 inH₂O):

  • May indicate oversized ductwork
  • Can cause noise issues

Commercial/Industrial: 1-4 inH₂O typical (design dependent)

When should I replace an HVAC filter?

Pressure drop method (most accurate):

  • MERV 8: Replace at 0.5 inH₂O
  • MERV 11-13: Replace at 0.7-1.0 inH₂O
  • HEPA: Replace at 2-3 inH₂O

Without gauge:

  • Monthly inspection
  • Every 1-3 months residential
  • More often if pets, allergies, construction

Measure with: Magnehelic gauge or manometer across filter

Why use inH₂O instead of PSI for HVAC?

Appropriate scale: HVAC pressures very low (0.1-2 inH₂O = 0.004-0.072 PSI) Historical: Water manometers traditional measurement tool Precision: Easier to read 0.5 inH₂O than 0.018 PSI Industry standard: ASHRAE, building codes specify inH₂O Instruments: Magnehelic gauges, manometers calibrated in inH₂O

Conversion: ~28 inH₂O = 1 PSI (HVAC uses tiny fraction of PSI)

Conversion Table: Millibar to Inch of Water Column

Millibar (mbar)Inch of Water Column (inH₂O)
0.50.201
10.402
1.50.602
20.803
52.007
104.015
2510.037
5020.073
10040.146
250100.366
500200.732
1,000401.463

People Also Ask

How do I convert Millibar to Inch of Water Column?

To convert Millibar to Inch of Water Column, enter the value in Millibar 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 →

What is the conversion factor from Millibar to Inch of Water Column?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Millibar and Inch of Water Column. 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 Inch of Water Column back to Millibar?

Yes! You can easily convert Inch of Water Column back to Millibar by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Inch of Water Column to Millibar converter page. You can also explore other pressure conversions on our category page.

Learn more →

What are common uses for Millibar and Inch of Water Column?

Millibar and Inch of Water Column 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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Verified Against Authority Standards

All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.

NIST Reference on Constants, Units and Uncertainty

National Institute of Standards and Technology — Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards

ISO 80000

International Organization for Standardization — Quantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026