What are kilopascals and psi?
Kilopascals (kPa)
The kilopascal (kPa) is a metric unit of pressure equal to one thousand pascals, where one pascal is one newton of force spread over one square meter. As an SI-based unit, the kilopascal is the standard way pressure is expressed across most of the world in science, engineering, weather reports, and product specifications. Tire pressures, fluid systems, and gas readings outside the United States are routinely quoted in kilopascals because the value sits at a convenient scale for everyday pressures.
Pounds per square inch (psi)
The pound per square inch (psi) is a unit of pressure in the imperial and United States customary systems. It measures how many pounds of force press on each square inch of area. Psi dominates American engineering and consumer products, appearing on tire gauges, air compressors, hydraulic equipment, and pipeline specifications. Because so much equipment is rated in psi, converting to and from metric units is a common task whenever American and international specifications meet.
How does the calculator work?
This converter links the two pressure units in both directions. Type a value into either field and the other updates instantly. The tool remembers which field you changed last, so it always converts from the value you entered to the matching result.
The conversion rests on a single factor: one pound per square inch equals 6.89476 kilopascals. Going the other way, you divide by that same number.
Kilopascals and psi conversion formulas
To convert kilopascals to psi, divide by 6.89476:
To convert psi back to kilopascals, multiply by the same factor:
Conversion table
The table below shows how the two pressure units relate to each other.
| Pressure unit | Kilopascals (kPa) | Pounds per square inch (psi) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kilopascal | 1 | 0.1450377 |
| 1 psi | 6.89476 | 1 |
For related conversions, see the pressure unit converter.
Examples
The following examples reuse the same numbers as the calculator’s test fixtures.
Example 1: Convert 100 kPa to psi
Starting from one hundred kilopascals:
So 100 kPa is about 14.5038 psi.
Example 2: Convert 250 kPa to psi
For a larger pressure value:
Thus 250 kPa equals about 36.2594 psi.
Example 3: Convert 30 psi to kilopascals
Working in the other direction with a typical tire pressure:
So 30 psi is about 206.84 kPa.
Practical applications
Pressure conversion is routine whenever imperial and metric specifications meet. Drivers comparing a tire placard quoted in psi with a gauge that reads kilopascals translate between the two so they inflate to the correct level.
In engineering and manufacturing, hydraulic and pneumatic components are often rated in psi on American datasheets but in kilopascals for international markets, so converting keeps pressure ratings consistent across a project.
Students and technicians also rely on this conversion when a physics problem or instrument is set up in kilopascals but the reference equipment, such as a compressor or pressure gauge, reads in psi.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert kilopascals to psi?
Divide the kilopascal value by 6.89476. For example, 100 kPa ÷ 6.89476 ≈ 14.50 psi.
How many kilopascals are in one psi?
One pound per square inch equals 6.89476 kilopascals.
How many psi are in one kilopascal?
One kilopascal equals about 0.1450 psi.
How do I convert psi to kilopascals?
Multiply the psi value by 6.89476. For example, 30 psi × 6.89476 ≈ 206.84 kPa.
What is a normal tire pressure in kPa and psi?
A common car tire pressure of about 32 psi is roughly 220 kPa, since 32 × 6.89476 ≈ 220.6 kPa.