Bar to kg/cm² Converter
Convert pressure from bar to kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²) and back, with high precision, formulas, and a quick reference table.
Interactive Pressure Converter
Enter a value in either field to see the converted pressure.
Bar to kg/cm² Conversion Table
Quick reference values for common pressures. All values are rounded to 4 decimal places.
| Bar | kg/cm² |
|---|
How to Convert Bar to kg/cm²
Both bar and kilogram-force per square centimeter (kg/cm²) are pressure units commonly used in engineering, hydraulics, pneumatics, and industrial instrumentation.
Exact conversion factors
- 1 bar = 1,000,000 Pa (pascals)
- 1 kg/cm² ≈ 98,066.5 Pa
Therefore:
1 bar = 1,000,000 / 98,066.5 ≈
1.019716 kg/cm²
Formula: bar to kg/cm²
kg/cm² = bar × 1.019716
Formula: kg/cm² to bar
bar = kg/cm² ÷ 1.019716
Worked examples
Example 1 – Convert 5 bar to kg/cm²
Using the formula:
kg/cm² = 5 × 1.019716 ≈ 5.0986 kg/cm²
Example 2 – Convert 10 kg/cm² to bar
bar = 10 ÷ 1.019716 ≈ 9.8041 bar
What are bar and kg/cm²?
Bar
- Unit of pressure widely used in industry and meteorology.
- 1 bar = 100,000 Pa = 100 kPa.
- Close to average atmospheric pressure at sea level (≈ 1.01325 bar).
kg/cm² (kilogram-force per square centimeter)
- Legacy engineering unit based on kilogram-force, not pure SI.
- 1 kg/cm² ≈ 98.0665 kPa.
- Still common in hydraulic systems, tire pressure specs, and older gauges.
Practical tips
- For quick mental estimates, you can approximate 1 bar ≈ 1 kg/cm², but for design or safety calculations always use the precise factor.
- Check whether your value is gauge (relative to atmosphere) or absolute pressure; the numerical conversion factor is the same, but the reference point differs.
- When converting specifications from datasheets, keep at least 3–4 decimal places to avoid rounding errors in calculations.
FAQ: Bar to kg/cm²
Is 1 bar exactly equal to 1 kg/cm²?
No. 1 bar is approximately 1.019716 kg/cm². The two units are close, which is why they are sometimes treated as equivalent in rough estimates, but they are not identical.
Why is kg/cm² considered a non-SI unit?
The kilogram is a unit of mass, not force. In kg/cm², the “kg” actually refers to kilogram-force, which depends on the acceleration due to gravity (≈ 9.80665 m/s²). Modern SI uses the pascal (Pa) based on newtons per square meter (N/m²), which is independent of local gravity.
Which unit should I use in new designs?
For new engineering designs, standards recommend using Pa or bar. kg/cm² is mainly kept for compatibility with older equipment, gauges, and documentation.
Does the conversion factor change with temperature or altitude?
No. The conversion between bar and kg/cm² is purely mathematical and does not depend on temperature or altitude. What may change is whether you are measuring gauge or absolute pressure, but the unit conversion factor stays the same.