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PSI to kPa Converter
Convert PSI to kPa with our free PSI to kPa converter — or switch between any pressure units: psi, kilopascals, bar, and atmospheres. One psi equals 6.89476 kPa, so a typical car tire at 32 psi holds 220.63 kPa.
Common pressures
| psi | kPa | bar | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.70 psi | 101.33 kPa | 1.01 bar | Air pressure at sea level (1 atm) |
| 30 psi | 206.84 kPa | 2.07 bar | A car tire, low end |
| 32 psi | 220.63 kPa | 2.21 bar | A typical car tire |
| 35 psi | 241.32 kPa | 2.41 bar | A car tire, high end |
| 60 psi | 413.69 kPa | 4.14 bar | A bicycle tire |
How it works
Pressure is force spread over an area, and every pressure unit is a different pair of force and area units. PSI means pounds per square inch — the force of one pound pushing on one square inch. A kilopascal is 1,000 pascals, and a pascal is one newton per square meter, which is the metric unit of pressure. A bar is 100,000 pascals, close to normal air pressure, and an atmosphere (atm) is exactly the average air pressure at sea level. Different trades picked different units, so tires are rated in psi, weather is reported in hectopascals, and scuba tanks are rated in bar.
The conversion factors come from the definitions of the units. One pound per square inch equals 6.89476 kilopascals, because a pound-force is 4.44822 newtons and a square inch is 0.00064516 square meters. One bar is 100 kPa, and one atmosphere is 101.325 kPa, which works out to 14.6959 psi — usually rounded to 14.70 psi. Because the factors are exact, converting back and forth never drifts: divide where you multiplied and you return to the number you started with.
To convert psi to kPa, multiply by 6.89476. To go the other way, divide kPa by 6.89476. For example, 32 × 6.89476 = 220.63 kPa, and 100 ÷ 6.89476 = 14.50 psi. For bar, multiply psi by 0.068948 or divide kPa by 100. A quick mental shortcut is that 1 psi is about 7 kPa, so 30 psi is roughly 210 kPa — close enough for a rough check, but use the exact factor when you are setting a tire or a tank.
Tire pressure is where most people meet this conversion. Car tires usually run at 30 to 35 psi, which is 207 to 241 kPa, and the correct figure is printed on the driver's door sticker — not on the tire sidewall, which shows the maximum the tire can take, not the pressure your car needs. Bicycle tires run much higher, often 60 to 80 psi, and a road bike can take 100 psi or more. Always check pressure when the tires are cold, before driving, because a warm tire reads several psi higher and will trick you into letting air out that the tire actually needs.
Worked example
David's tire gauge reads in psi, but his car's manual lists the recommended pressure as 220 kPa. He wants to know what that is in psi so he can set his tires correctly.
Step 1: Write down the pressure — 220 kPa.
Step 2: Use the conversion factor — 1 psi = 6.89476 kPa.
Step 3: Divide: 220 ÷ 6.89476 = 31.91.
Step 4: Read the answer — about 31.91 psi, or 32 psi rounded.
That is the exact result this converter gives for 220 kPa: 31.91 psi. Going the other way, 32 psi × 6.89476 = 220.63 kPa, which matches the manual's figure once you allow for rounding. David can set his tires to 32 psi and know they are at the pressure the manual recommends.
FAQ
How many kPa is 32 psi?
32 psi equals 220.63 kPa. Multiply 32 by 6.89476 to get 220.632, which rounds to 220.63 kPa.
How do I convert kPa back to psi?
Divide kPa by 6.89476. For example, 100 kPa ÷ 6.89476 = 14.50 psi. Use the unit menus on this page to convert either direction.
How many psi is 1 atm?
1 atmosphere equals 14.70 psi. It also equals 101.33 kPa and 1.01325 bar.
What tire pressure should I use?
Use the pressure printed on the driver's door sticker or in the owner's manual, usually 30 to 35 psi for a car. Never use the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall as your normal pressure.