Pressure Converter
Convert pressure units
10 pressure units
Quick conversions
Your tire gauge reads 32 PSI. The European car manual says 220 kPa. The weather report mentions 1013 millibars. The SCUBA tank shows 3000 PSI but dive tables use bar. Are these the same pressure in different languages?
Pressure units vary by application and regionβPSI in the US, bar in Europe, Pascal in science, atmospheres in diving. This converter translates between all of them.
What is Pressure Conversion?
Pressure measures force per unit area. Different industries standardized on different units based on their historical development: meteorology uses millibars, tires use PSI or kPa, diving uses bar, science uses Pascal.
Key conversions:
1 bar = 14.5038 PSI = 100,000 Pa = 100 kPa
1 PSI = 6.895 kPa = 0.0689 bar
1 atmosphere = 101.325 kPa = 14.696 PSI = 1.013 bar
1 kPa = 0.145 PSI
1 bar β 0.987 atmospheres. For many practical purposes, they're interchangeable, but not for precision work.
Why People Actually Need This Tool
Tires, weather, diving, hydraulics, blood pressure, HVACβall measure pressure but in different units based on industry conventions.
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Tire inflation β Convert between PSI and kPa or bar.
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Weather β Understand barometric pressure in different units.
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SCUBA diving β Convert between bar, PSI, and atmospheres.
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Hydraulics β Convert industrial pressure specifications.
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HVAC β Understand refrigerant pressures.
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Medical β Convert blood pressure or respiratory measurements.
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Science β Convert to/from SI units (Pascal).
How to Use the Pressure Converter
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Enter pressure value β The measurement you want to convert.
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Select from unit β Your source unit.
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Select to unit β Your target unit.
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View conversion β Exact equivalent in desired units.
| Unit | Symbol | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal | Pa | SI unit, scientific calculations |
| Kilopascal | kPa | Tire pressure (metric countries) |
| Bar | bar | Europe, diving, industrial |
| Millibar | mbar | Meteorology, weather |
| PSI | psi | US tires, industrial, diving |
| Atmosphere | atm | Diving tables, chemistry |
| mmHg | mmHg | Blood pressure, vacuum systems |
| inHg | inHg | US weather, aviation |
Tire gauges show pressure above atmospheric (gauge pressure). Add 1 atm (14.7 PSI) to get absolute pressure.
Real-World Use Cases
1. The Tire Pressure
Context: US tire gauge reads 32 PSI. Rental car manual shows 220 kPa.
Problem: Is tire at correct pressure?
Solution: 32 PSI Γ 6.895 = 220.6 kPa. Yes, pressure is correct.
Outcome: Properly inflated tire in metric car.
2. The Weather Report
Context: US weather shows 30.12 inHg barometric pressure.
Problem: What's that in millibars for European comparison?
Solution: 30.12 inHg Γ 33.86 = 1020 mbar.
Outcome: Weather pressure compared internationally.
3. The SCUBA Tank
Context: Tank filled to 3000 PSI. Dive planning uses bar.
Problem: How many bar?
Solution: 3000 PSI Γ 0.0689 = 206.7 bar.
Outcome: Correct pressure for dive planning calculations.
4. The Blood Pressure
Context: BP reading 120/80 mmHg. Want to understand in kPa.
Problem: Convert to SI units?
Solution: 120 mmHg Γ 0.133 = 16 kPa. 80 mmHg = 10.7 kPa.
Outcome: Understanding of pressure in scientific units.
5. The Pressure Washer
Context: US model rated 3000 PSI. Comparing to European 200 bar unit.
Problem: Which is more powerful?
Solution: 3000 PSI = 207 bar. 200 bar = 2900 PSI. US model slightly higher.
Outcome: Fair comparison of equipment specifications.
6. The Altitude Pressure
Context: Aircraft at altitude: cabin pressure 75 kPa.
Problem: What's that as fraction of sea level?
Solution: 75 kPa Γ· 101.3 kPa = 0.74 atm β 8000 ft equivalent.
Outcome: Understanding of cabin pressurization.
7. The Hydraulic System
Context: US spec: 2000 PSI max. System uses metric components.
Problem: Maximum bar rating needed?
Solution: 2000 PSI Γ 0.0689 = 138 bar. Choose 150 bar rated components.
Outcome: Properly specified hydraulic components.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A tire at "0 PSI" gauge still has 14.7 PSI absolute (atmospheric pressure). Context determines which is meant.
Privacy and Data Handling
This Pressure Converter operates entirely in your browser.
- No calculations are sent to any server.
- No data is stored.
- No account required.
- Works completely offline.
Your measurements stay private.
Conclusion
Pressure units vary by industry, region, and application. Converting between them is essential for international equipment, travel, diving, and scientific work.
This converter handles all common pressure units instantly. Enter any pressure measurement, get equivalents in any unit system.
Pressure is pressure. Units shouldn't be a barrier.