PSI to kPa Converter
Professional pressure unit conversion tool for engineering, automotive, and industrial applications. Convert between pounds per square inch (PSI) and kilopascals (kPa) with precision.
Result precision:
Enter pressure value in pounds per square inch
Conversion formula: kPa = PSI × 6.89475729
Quick Pressure Conversions
Pressure Conversion Tables
PSI to Kilopascals
Common pressure values for engineering applications
| PSI | ≈ | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 1 psi | ≈ | 6.89 kPa |
| 5 psi | ≈ | 34.47 kPa |
| 10 psi | ≈ | 68.95 kPa |
| 14.7 psi | ≈ | 101.33 kPa |
| 30 psi | ≈ | 206.84 kPa |
| 50 psi | ≈ | 344.74 kPa |
| 100 psi | ≈ | 689.48 kPa |
| 1000 psi | ≈ | 6894.76 kPa |
Kilopascals to PSI
Common pressure values for industrial applications
| kPa | ≈ | PSI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kPa | ≈ | 0.15 psi |
| 10 kPa | ≈ | 1.45 psi |
| 50 kPa | ≈ | 7.25 psi |
| 100 kPa | ≈ | 14.50 psi |
| 200 kPa | ≈ | 29.01 psi |
| 500 kPa | ≈ | 72.52 psi |
| 1000 kPa | ≈ | 145.04 psi |
| 10000 kPa | ≈ | 1450.38 psi |
About Pressure Units
Conversion Formulas
PSI to Kilopascals
kPa = PSI × 6.89475729
Example: 30 psi × 6.89475729 = 206.84 kPa
Kilopascals to PSI
PSI = kPa × 0.1450377377
Example: 100 kPa × 0.1450377377 = 14.50 psi
Pressure Unit Definitions
PSI (pounds per square inch)
An imperial unit of pressure defined as the pressure exerted by one pound-force applied to an area of one square inch. Commonly used in the United States for tire pressure, hydraulic systems, and industrial equipment.
kPa (kilopascal)
A metric unit of pressure equal to 1,000 pascals. One pascal is the pressure exerted by a force of one newton applied to an area of one square meter. Used internationally in science, engineering, and most countries for pressure measurements.
Practical Applications of Pressure Conversion
Automotive Industry
Tire pressure specifications, fuel system pressures, and hydraulic brake systems.
Industrial Systems
Hydraulic and pneumatic systems, pressure vessels, and manufacturing equipment.
Plumbing & HVAC
Water pressure measurements, refrigerant pressures, and compressed air systems.
Aerospace & Science
Atmospheric pressure calculations, laboratory experiments, and aircraft systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
PSI (pounds per square inch) and kPa (kilopascals) both measure pressure but belong to different measurement systems:
- PSI: Part of the imperial system, primarily used in the United States for everyday applications like tire pressure and plumbing.
- kPa: Part of the metric/SI system, used internationally in science, engineering, and most countries worldwide.
The conversion factor is precisely defined: 1 PSI = 6.89475729 kPa, or approximately 6.895 kPa for most practical purposes.
Pressure conversion is critical in engineering for several reasons:
- International collaboration requires converting between imperial (PSI) and metric (kPa) units.
- Equipment specifications often use different units depending on their country of manufacture.
- Safety systems rely on accurate pressure readings, which may need conversion for proper interpretation.
- Design calculations must maintain consistent units to avoid errors in system performance.
Even small conversion errors can lead to equipment failure, safety hazards, or performance issues in critical systems.
The required precision for pressure conversions depends on the application:
- Everyday use (tire pressure): 1-2 decimal places is sufficient (e.g., 32.0 psi = 220.6 kPa).
- Industrial applications: 2-4 decimal places for system design and maintenance.
- Scientific research: 4-6 decimal places for precise measurements and calculations.
This converter allows you to select precision from 0 to 6 decimal places to match your specific needs.
Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is defined as:
1 standard atmosphere = 101.325 kPa ≈ 101.3 kPa
This is important for applications like weather reporting, aviation, and any system that interacts with atmospheric pressure. For example, a "vacuum" of 10 psi below atmospheric pressure would be approximately 4.7 psi absolute pressure (14.7 - 10) or 32.4 kPa absolute pressure.