Calculator
Unit conversion
Equivalent quantities with the calculation shown below.
Equivalent values
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Pascal (Pa) | 600,000 |
| Kilopascal (kPa) | 600 |
| Megapascal (MPa) | 0.6 |
| Bar (bar) | 6 |
| Pounds-force per square inch (psi) | 87.0226426381 |
Changing units preserves the pressure reference
A gauge reading of 6 bar can be expressed as approximately 87.02 psi. Both numbers retain the same reference; conversion alone does not turn gauge pressure into absolute pressure. Suffixes such as bar(g), bar(a), psig and psia matter. Match both unit and pressure reference before comparing a field reading with a manufacturer’s limit.
Check the Pa, kPa and MPa steps
1 bar = 100 000 Pa = 100 kPa = 0.1 MPa. A filter differential may be displayed in hundreds of pascals, whereas a water-system pressure may be given in bar. Do not compare their numerical values as though the units were identical. For example, 250 Pa, 0.25 kPa and 0.0025 bar express the same pressure difference. This tool defines psi as pounds-force per square inch.
Pump head also needs fluid density
Pressure and head are related by Δp = ρ × g × H. With an assumed water density of 1000 kg/m³ and g = 9.81 m/s², 100 kPa corresponds to about 10.19 m of head. Glycol concentration and temperature can change density, so that result does not apply to every fluid. A pressure conversion by itself does not establish the pump operating point.
Worked examples
Compare pressure gauges
6 bar × 100 000 = 600 000 Pa. Dividing by the psi factor gives approximately 87.023 psi, with the original reference preserved.
Filter differential
250 Pa / 1000 = 0.25 kPa. The same value is 250 / 100 000 = 0.0025 bar.
Catalogue limit
1.6 MPa × 10 = 16 bar. Temperature-dependent equipment pressure ratings still require the catalogue conditions.
Definitions and calculation method
Unit factors and temperature-scale relationships: NIST SP 811, Appendix B.8 ↗.
Application examples were prepared for this page. Values are converted through the reference unit before display rounding; displayed results use up to 12 significant digits. A converted reading retains the uncertainty of the original measurement.