Pressure Converter – Convert PSI, bar, kPa, MPa (Free Tool)

Pressure Converter: Convert PSI, Bar, kPa, MPa & More (Free Tool)

You have a pressure reading in PSI. Your equipment uses bar. Your manual uses kPa. You need to convert.

Pressure units are confusing. PSI, bar, kPa, MPa, atm, torr, mmHg – the list goes on. Different industries use different units. Getting the conversion wrong can cause equipment damage or safety issues.

Today, I give you a free Pressure Converter.

You enter a value in any unit. The calculator shows the equivalent in all common pressure units instantly.

The converter handles:

  • PSI (pounds per square inch)
  • Bar
  • kPa (kilopascal)
  • MPa (megapascal)
  • atm (atmosphere)
  • Pa (pascal)
  • torr / mmHg

Let me explain pressure units and how to convert between them.


What is Pressure? (Simple Explanation)

Pressure is force applied over an area.

Pressure = Force ÷ Area

Common units:

  • PSI – pounds per square inch (US customary)
  • Bar – metric unit (1 bar ≈ atmospheric pressure)
  • kPa – kilopascal (1,000 pascals)
  • MPa – megapascal (1,000,000 pascals)
  • atm – standard atmosphere (pressure at sea level)
  • torr / mmHg – millimeters of mercury

Why This Pressure Converter Matters

Here is why you need a pressure converter.

Reason 1: Tire pressure

Car tires in the US use PSI. European cars use bar or kPa. Convert to inflate correctly.

Reason 2: HVAC systems

Refrigerant pressures use PSI (US) or bar (international). Use wrong units, and you overcharge.

Reason 3: Scuba diving

Tank pressure is in PSI (US) or bar (international). Dive computers show bar. Convert to know your air supply.

Reason 4: Medical equipment

Blood pressure is measured in mmHg. Ventilators use cmH2O. Convert between them.

Reason 5: Engineering specs

Pressure vessel ratings may be in PSI or MPa. Compressor specs in bar. Convert to compare.


The Pressure Conversion Formulas

FromToMultiply by
PSIkPa6.89476
PSIbar0.0689476
PSIMPa0.00689476
kPaPSI0.145038
barPSI14.5038
MPaPSI145.038
atmPSI14.6959
mmHgPSI0.0193368

Key reference:

  • 1 PSI = 6.89476 kPa
  • 1 bar = 100 kPa = 14.5 PSI
  • 1 atm = 14.696 PSI = 101.325 kPa

LIVE Pressure Converter

Enter a value in any unit. All other units update instantly.

📊 Pressure Converter

Convert between PSI, bar, kPa, MPa, atm, and mmHg

🔧 PSI (psi)

⚡ Bar (bar)

📏 kPa

💪 MPa

🌍 atm

📊 mmHg / torr

0%
💡 1 bar ≈ atmospheric pressure at sea level. 1 atm = 14.696 psi.
📐 Key: 1 psi = 6.89476 kPa = 0.0689476 bar = 0.00689476 MPa = 0.068046 atm = 51.715 mmHg

📊 Pressure Converter

Convert between PSI, bar, kPa, MPa, atm, and mmHg

🔧 PSI (psi)

⚡ Bar (bar)

📏 kPa

💪 MPa

🌍 atm

📊 mmHg / torr

0%

💡 1 bar ≈ atmospheric pressure at sea level. 1 atm = 14.696 psi.

📐 Key: 1 psi = 6.89476 kPa = 0.0689476 bar = 0.00689476 MPa = 0.068046 atm = 51.715 mmHg


How to Use This Pressure Converter

Step 1: Enter a value in any pressure unit box
Step 2: All other boxes update instantly
Step 3: Read the converted values in the units you need

The converter works for:

  • PSI → bar, kPa, MPa, atm, mmHg
  • Bar → PSI, kPa, MPa, atm, mmHg
  • And any other combination

Real Examples: Different Scenarios

Example 1: Car tire pressure

  • US tire spec: 32 PSI
  • Convert to bar: 32 × 0.0689476 = 2.21 bar
  • Convert to kPa: 32 × 6.89476 = 221 kPa

Example 2: Scuba tank

  • Tank pressure: 3,000 PSI
  • Convert to bar: 3,000 × 0.0689476 = 207 bar
  • Convert to atm: 3,000 × 0.068046 = 204 atm

Example 3: HVAC refrigerant (R-410A)

  • Operating pressure: 120 PSI
  • Convert to bar: 8.27 bar
  • Convert to kPa: 827 kPa

Example 4: Blood pressure

  • Reading: 120/80 mmHg
  • Convert to PSI: 120 × 0.0193368 = 2.32 psi, 80 × 0.0193368 = 1.55 psi

Pressure Units Reference Table

UnitSymbolCommon Use1 PSI equals
Pound per square inchPSI, psiUS tires, hydraulics1.0000
BarbarEuropean tires, scuba, industrial0.06895
KilopascalkPaEngineering, metric pressure6.8948
MegapascalMPaHigh pressure, materials testing0.006895
AtmosphereatmChemistry, reference point0.06805
Millimeter of mercurymmHg, torrBlood pressure, vacuum51.715
PascalPaSI unit (rarely used directly)6,894.76

Quick Reference Conversions

PSIbarkPaMPaatmmmHg
10.06896.890.00690.068051.7
100.68968.90.06890.680517
151.034103.40.10341.020776
302.068206.80.20682.0411,551
503.447344.70.34473.4022,586
1006.895689.50.68956.8055,172
15010.341,0341.03410.217,757
20013.791,3791.37913.6110,343

Pressure by Application

ApplicationTypical Pressure (PSI)
Car tire30-35
Bicycle tire40-80
Truck tire80-100
Home water supply40-60
Air compressor (home)100-150
Air compressor (industrial)150-200
Natural gas supply0.25-0.5
Propane tank100-200
Scuba tank3,000-3,500
Hydraulic system1,000-5,000
High pressure washer1,500-4,000
Paintball gun (CO2)800-1,000
Nitrogen tank2,000-2,200

Gauge Pressure vs. Absolute Pressure

Gauge pressure (psig, barg) – Measured relative to atmospheric pressure. Ignores the 14.7 psi of air around us.

Absolute pressure (psia, bara) – Includes atmospheric pressure. True pressure from absolute zero.

psia = psig + 14.7

bara = barg + 1.013

When it matters:

  • Thermodynamic calculations (gas laws)
  • Vacuum systems
  • Altitude corrections

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you convert PSI to bar?

Multiply PSI by 0.0689476. 100 PSI = 6.89 bar.

2. What is the difference between PSI and kPa?

PSI is pounds per square inch. kPa is kilopascals (metric). 1 PSI = 6.89476 kPa.

3. How many PSI is 1 bar?

1 bar = 14.5038 PSI.

4. What is atmospheric pressure in PSI?

14.6959 PSI at sea level.

5. How do you convert mmHg to PSI?

Multiply mmHg by 0.0193368. 760 mmHg = 14.7 PSI.

6. What is a good tire pressure in PSI?

30-35 PSI for most passenger cars. Check your door jamb sticker.

7. What is the pressure in a scuba tank?

About 3,000 PSI (207 bar) for standard tanks. High pressure tanks are 3,500-4,500 PSI.

8. How do you convert MPa to PSI?

Multiply MPa by 145.038. 1 MPa = 145 PSI.

9. What is vacuum in PSI?

Vacuum is pressure below atmospheric. Measured in inches of mercury (inHg) or negative PSI.

10. Why do Europeans use bar instead of PSI?

Bar is metric and decimal-based. 1 bar = 100 kPa = 0.1 MPa. Easier for calculations.


Common Pressure Unit Mistakes

Mistake #1: Confusing PSI and PSIG

PSI is ambiguous. PSIG (gauge) is most common for tires, pipes, and compressors. For absolute pressure, use PSIA.

Mistake #2: Using 14.7 instead of 14.696

The exact conversion is 14.6959. For most uses, 14.7 is fine. For precision work, use the exact number.

Mistake #3: Forgetting that 1 bar is NOT 1 atm

1 bar = 100 kPa. 1 atm = 101.325 kPa. They are close but not equal.

Mistake #4: Mixing up bar and barg

Bar gauge (barg) excludes atmosphere. Bar absolute (bara) includes it. The difference is 1.013 bar.

Mistake #5: Assuming PSI and PSI are the same everywhere

PSI is the same unit worldwide. But standards vary (water, oil, gas, air). Always check the fluid.


Scientific Reference: The Pascal

The pascal (Pa) is the SI unit of pressure. 1 Pa = 1 N/m².

Why we don't use it directly:

1 Pa is very small. Atmospheric pressure is 101,325 Pa.

We use prefixes:

  • 1 kPa = 1,000 Pa
  • 1 MPa = 1,000,000 Pa

Comparison:

  • 1 PSI = 6,894.76 Pa
  • 1 bar = 100,000 Pa
  • 1 atm = 101,325 Pa

Pressure in Different Fields

Meteorology:

  • bar and millibar (mbar)
  • 1 bar = 1,000 mbar
  • Standard pressure: 1013.25 mbar

Medicine:

  • Blood pressure: mmHg
  • Ventilator pressures: cmH2O (centimeters of water)
  • 1 cmH2O = 0.0142 PSI

Diving:

  • Bar (most common)
  • Atmospheres absolute (ATA)
  • 1 ATA = 1 bar (approximate)

HVAC:

  • PSI (US)
  • kPa (Canada)
  • bar (Europe)

Final Thoughts

Pressure conversion is essential for many fields.

My Pressure Converter gives you:

  • Instant conversion between 6 common pressure units
  • PSI, bar, kPa, MPa, atm, and mmHg
  • Real-time updates as you type
  • Application-based pressure ranges

Bookmark this page. Use it for tire pressure, scuba diving, HVAC, and engineering.

The next time you need to convert PSI to bar or mmHg to kPa, you will have the answer instantly.


Disclaimer: This is an educational tool. For critical applications, verify with calibrated instruments.


External Links (Authority Backlinks):

  1. Wikipedia – Pressure{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
  2. Wikipedia – Pound per square inch{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
  3. Wikipedia – Bar (unit){:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}


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