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Convert bar to PSI (pounds per square inch) instantly with our free pressure converter. Essential for tire pressure checks, hydraulic systems, industrial equipment, and air compressors.
14.5038
PSI per Bar
0.0689476
Bar per PSI
100,000 Pa
Pascals in 1 Bar
Formula: PSI = Bar × 14.5038
| Bar | PSI | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 bar | 7.25 PSI | Very low pressure systems |
| 1.0 bar | 14.50 PSI | Approximate atmospheric pressure |
| 1.8 bar | 26.11 PSI | Bicycle tire (road bike minimum) |
| 2.0 bar | 29.01 PSI | Compact car tire (typical) |
| 2.2 bar | 31.91 PSI | Standard passenger car tire |
| 2.5 bar | 36.26 PSI | SUV/Crossover tire pressure |
| 3.0 bar | 43.51 PSI | Performance car or loaded vehicle |
| 3.5 bar | 50.76 PSI | Light truck tire |
| 4.0 bar | 58.02 PSI | Mountain bike tire |
| 5.0 bar | 72.52 PSI | Heavy truck tire |
| 6.0 bar | 87.02 PSI | Road bike tire (high pressure) |
| 8.0 bar | 116.03 PSI | Industrial pneumatic tools |
| 10.0 bar | 145.04 PSI | Air compressor output (typical) |
| 150 bar | 2,175.6 PSI | Hydraulic systems (medium) |
| 250 bar | 3,625.9 PSI | High-pressure hydraulics |
Bar is a metric unit of pressure that equals exactly 100,000 pascals (Pa). The name comes from the Greek word baros meaning weight. One bar is approximately equal to atmospheric pressure at sea level (1.01325 bar to be precise), which makes it intuitively useful for many applications. Introduced in 1909, the bar became widely adopted across Europe and in scientific contexts worldwide. Today, bar is the standard pressure unit in meteorology, engineering specifications, diving, and most automotive applications outside North America.
PSI (pounds per square inch) is an imperial unit of pressure that represents the force of one pound-force applied to an area of one square inch. PSI has been the standard pressure measurement in the United States since the imperial system was established. It remains the dominant unit for tire pressure specifications, pneumatic systems, and industrial equipment in North America. PSI is defined as exactly 6,894.757 pascals, making the conversion to metric units straightforward but not intuitive.
The relationship between these units is: 1 bar = 14.5038 PSI, or conversely, 1 PSI = 0.0689476 bar. Understanding this conversion is essential when working with international equipment specifications, checking tire pressure with gauges that display different units, or when traveling between countries that use different measurement systems. Many modern pressure gauges display both units simultaneously to eliminate confusion.
The formula to convert bar to PSI is: PSI = Bar × 14.5038. Simply multiply the pressure value in bar by the conversion factor 14.5038 to get the equivalent pressure in pounds per square inch.
Question: Your European car manual specifies 2.2 bar tire pressure. What is this in PSI?
Note: Most tire pressure gauges display PSI in increments of 0.5 or 1.0, so 32 PSI is the practical target.
Question: An imported air compressor is rated for 8 bar maximum pressure. Convert to PSI for comparison with US tools.
This pressure level is typical for pneumatic tools like impact wrenches, nail guns, and spray painters.
Question: A hydraulic press operates at 200 bar. What is the pressure in PSI?
Industrial hydraulic systems commonly operate in the 100-350 bar range (1,450-5,076 PSI).
For a quick estimate, multiply bar by 15 (instead of 14.5038). This gives you a result within 3.5% accuracy, which is sufficient for most practical purposes. For example: 2.5 bar × 15 ≈ 37.5 PSI (exact: 36.26 PSI). The shortcut slightly overestimates the pressure, which provides a small safety margin when inflating tires. Another approach: multiply bar by 14.5 for better accuracy with minimal mental effort.
| Vehicle Type | Bar (Typical) | PSI (Converted) |
|---|---|---|
| Small/Compact Car | 2.0-2.2 bar | 29.0-31.9 PSI |
| Mid-Size Sedan | 2.2-2.4 bar | 31.9-34.8 PSI |
| SUV/Crossover | 2.3-2.6 bar | 33.4-37.7 PSI |
| Light Truck | 2.5-3.0 bar | 36.3-43.5 PSI |
| Heavy Truck (front) | 6.0-7.0 bar | 87.0-101.5 PSI |
| Heavy Truck (rear) | 7.0-8.0 bar | 101.5-116.0 PSI |
| Motorcycle (front) | 2.0-2.5 bar | 29.0-36.3 PSI |
| Motorcycle (rear) | 2.5-2.9 bar | 36.3-42.1 PSI |
| Road Bicycle | 6.0-8.0 bar | 87.0-116.0 PSI |
| Mountain Bike | 1.8-3.5 bar | 26.1-50.8 PSI |
| Equipment Type | Bar | PSI |
|---|---|---|
| Air compressor (portable) | 6-8 bar | 87.0-116.0 PSI |
| Air compressor (industrial) | 8-10 bar | 116.0-145.0 PSI |
| Paint sprayer | 2-4 bar | 29.0-58.0 PSI |
| Nail gun | 5-7 bar | 72.5-101.5 PSI |
| Impact wrench | 6-8 bar | 87.0-116.0 PSI |
| Pressure washer (light) | 70-100 bar | 1,015-1,450 PSI |
| Pressure washer (heavy) | 150-200 bar | 2,176-2,901 PSI |
| Hydraulics (mobile) | 150-250 bar | 2,176-3,626 PSI |
| Hydraulics (industrial) | 200-350 bar | 2,901-5,076 PSI |
| Item | Bar | PSI |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer ball | 0.6-1.1 bar | 8.7-16.0 PSI |
| Basketball | 0.5-0.6 bar | 7.3-8.7 PSI |
| Football (American) | 0.9-1.0 bar | 13.0-14.5 PSI |
| Volleyball | 0.3-0.4 bar | 4.4-5.8 PSI |
| Inflatable kayak | 0.2-0.3 bar | 2.9-4.4 PSI |
| Stand-up paddleboard | 0.7-1.0 bar | 10.2-14.5 PSI |
| Scuba tank (full) | 200-300 bar | 2,901-4,351 PSI |
Proper tire pressure is critical for safety, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity. European vehicles specify pressure in bar while US manuals use PSI. Converting accurately ensures you inflate tires to the correct pressure, preventing blowouts from over-inflation or poor handling from under-inflation.
Hydraulic systems, pneumatic tools, and air compressors have precise pressure requirements. International equipment may be rated in bar while replacement parts or local standards use PSI. Accurate conversion prevents equipment damage and ensures worker safety.
Engineering specifications, ISO standards, and technical documentation often use bar as the metric pressure unit. US-based engineers and technicians need to convert these specifications to PSI for compatibility with local equipment and established practices.
Pressure gauges, sensors, and monitoring equipment come calibrated in either bar or PSI. When replacing components or integrating systems from different manufacturers, conversion ensures accurate pressure monitoring and prevents mismatched readings that could lead to system failures.
Bar to PSI requires multiplication (bar × 14.5038). Dividing would give you the reverse conversion (PSI to bar). Remember: PSI numbers are larger than bar numbers for the same pressure.
The exact factor is 14.5038, but 14.5 is easier to calculate mentally and gives accuracy within 0.03%. For most applications like tire pressure, this is more than sufficient.
Tire pressure increases about 0.2 bar (3 PSI) when tires are hot from driving. Always measure and adjust pressure before driving or after the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours.
Modern digital gauges often display both bar and PSI. Always check which unit you are reading to avoid inflating to 32 bar instead of 32 PSI (which would be dangerously high at 464 PSI).
While 1 bar is approximately atmospheric pressure at sea level, tire pressure and industrial pressure are measured in absolute or gauge pressure. Gauge pressure is relative to atmospheric pressure (0 bar gauge = 1 bar absolute).
While rounding to whole PSI is fine for tire pressure, hydraulic systems and precision equipment require more accurate conversions. Use at least one decimal place for industrial applications.
To convert bar to PSI, multiply the bar value by 14.5038. For example, 2.5 bar × 14.5038 = 36.26 PSI. This conversion factor comes from the relationship between metric and imperial pressure units, where 1 bar equals exactly 100,000 pascals and 1 PSI equals approximately 6,894.76 pascals.
2.2 bar equals approximately 31.91 PSI (2.2 × 14.5038 = 31.90836). This is a common tire pressure specification for many passenger vehicles. European vehicle manuals typically list tire pressure in bar, while North American specifications use PSI.
Yes, one bar represents a much larger amount of pressure than one PSI. Specifically, 1 bar equals 14.5038 PSI, meaning bar is the larger unit. This is why tire pressure values appear as smaller numbers when expressed in bar (e.g., 2.5 bar) compared to PSI (36.3 PSI).
Bar is part of the metric system and is the standard pressure unit used internationally, especially in Europe, Asia, and scientific contexts. It provides easier calculations with other metric units and is based on the pascal (the SI unit of pressure). PSI is primarily used in the United States and countries with historical ties to imperial measurements.
3 bar equals 43.51 PSI (3 × 14.5038 = 43.5114). This pressure is typical for performance car tires, light truck tires, or heavily loaded passenger vehicles. Always refer to your vehicle's door jamb sticker or owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure.
1 bar equals exactly 14.5038 PSI. This conversion is based on the definition that 1 bar = 100,000 pascals and 1 PSI = 6,894.76 pascals. The bar is approximately equal to atmospheric pressure at sea level (1.01325 bar = 14.7 PSI).
Yes, many modern pressure gauges display both bar and PSI simultaneously. If your gauge only shows bar, you can multiply the reading by 14.5 for a quick PSI estimate, or use our converter for precise values. Digital gauges often allow switching between units with a button press.
Hydraulic systems commonly use bar in metric countries and PSI in the United States. Industrial hydraulic equipment typically operates at 100-250 bar (1,450-3,626 PSI), while high-pressure systems can exceed 350 bar (5,076 PSI). Equipment specifications should always be followed precisely for safety.
This calculator uses the internationally recognized conversion factor of 1 bar = 14.5038 PSI. For critical applications involving pressure vessels, hydraulic systems, or safety equipment, always verify pressure specifications with manufacturer documentation and qualified professionals. Incorrect pressure settings can result in equipment damage or personal injury.