Kilopascals to PSI Converter (kPa to PSI, PSI to kPa)
Convert pressure between kilopascals (kPa) and pounds per square inch (PSI) instantly. Ideal for tire pressures, fluid systems, HVAC, hydraulics, and general engineering work.
kPa ⇄ PSI pressure converter
1 kPa ≈ 0.1450377 PSI
1 PSI ≈ 6.894757 kPa
This tool performs direct unit conversion. Whether a pressure is gauge or absolute depends on how it was measured, not on the numerical conversion itself.
Quick kPa to PSI conversion table
| kPa | PSI (approx.) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | 21.76 PSI | Low car tire / bicycle tire |
| 200 | 29.01 PSI | Small car tire (example range) |
| 220 | 31.90 PSI | Typical passenger car tire |
| 240 | 34.81 PSI | Higher load / highway pressure |
| 250 | 36.26 PSI | SUV / light truck tire (example) |
| 300 | 43.51 PSI | Heavy-duty, industrial, or special applications |
kPa to PSI conversion formulas
Kilopascals (kPa) and pounds per square inch (PSI) are both units of pressure. kPa is part of the SI system and is common in engineering and automotive specifications outside the U.S., while PSI is widely used in the U.S. and in many industrial contexts.
From kilopascals to PSI
The exact relationship between kPa and PSI is:
\[ 1\ \text{PSI} = 6.894757\ \text{kPa} \]
Therefore, to convert from kPa to PSI:
\[ \text{PSI} = \text{kPa} \times 0.1450377 \]
From PSI to kilopascals
Rearranging the relationship:
\[ \text{kPa} = \text{PSI} \times 6.894757 \]
Worked examples
-
Example 1 – 220 kPa to PSI
\[ \text{PSI} = 220 \times 0.1450377 \approx 31.91\ \text{PSI} \] -
Example 2 – 32 PSI to kPa
\[ \text{kPa} = 32 \times 6.894757 \approx 220.63\ \text{kPa} \]
What is a kilopascal (kPa)?
The pascal (Pa) is the SI unit of pressure and is defined as one newton per square meter. A kilopascal is one thousand pascals:
\[ 1\ \text{kPa} = 1\,000\ \text{Pa} \]
kPa is used to express tire pressures, gas and fluid pressures, atmospheric pressure, and many other engineering quantities. For everyday purposes, 101.325 kPa corresponds to standard atmospheric pressure at sea level.
What is PSI (pounds per square inch)?
PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is defined as one pound-force acting on an area of one square inch. It is a non-SI unit widely used in North America and in many practical engineering, mechanical, and hydraulic contexts.
Gauge vs absolute pressure
Both kPa and PSI can represent gauge or absolute pressure:
- Gauge pressure (kPa(g), PSI(g)) is measured relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure.
- Absolute pressure (kPa(a), PSI(a)) is measured relative to a perfect vacuum.
The numerical conversion factor between kPa and PSI is the same in both cases. What matters is that you are comparing like with like: gauge to gauge, or absolute to absolute.
FAQ: kPa to PSI conversion
How precise is this kPa to PSI converter?
The converter uses the factor 1 PSI = 6.894757 kPa, which is sufficiently precise for engineering and automotive applications. Results are rounded visually, but the internal calculations keep full precision.
What tire pressure should I use?
Always follow the recommendations given by the vehicle manufacturer (usually printed on a sticker on the door frame or in the owner’s manual). Use this tool to convert between the units shown on the tire gauge and the units used in the documentation.
Can I use this converter for hydraulic and pneumatic systems?
Yes. The kPa–PSI relationship is purely mathematical and applies to any pressure measurement, including hydraulics, pneumatics, HVAC, and process engineering. Just make sure you know whether your measurement is gauge or absolute.