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Convert pounds per square inch (PSI) to bar instantly. Essential for automotive tire pressure, hydraulic systems, HVAC, and industrial engineering applications worldwide.
Formula: Bar = PSI × 0.0689476
This table covers the most frequently needed PSI to bar conversions, from low-pressure gauges through high-pressure industrial systems. Each row includes real-world context so you can quickly verify your reading.
| PSI | Bar | Real-World Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 PSI | 0.0689 bar | Minimal gauge reading |
| 5 PSI | 0.3447 bar | Low-pressure pneumatic tools |
| 10 PSI | 0.6895 bar | Inflatable equipment |
| 14.5 PSI | 1 bar | Approximately 1 atmosphere |
| 20 PSI | 1.379 bar | Bicycle tire (road bike minimum) |
| 25 PSI | 1.724 bar | Low-end car tire pressure |
| 30 PSI | 2.068 bar | Standard passenger car tire |
| 32 PSI | 2.206 bar | Common sedan tire pressure |
| 35 PSI | 2.413 bar | SUV and truck tire pressure |
| 40 PSI | 2.758 bar | Heavy-duty vehicle tires |
| 50 PSI | 3.447 bar | Air compressor output (small) |
| 60 PSI | 4.137 bar | Residential water pressure |
| 80 PSI | 5.516 bar | High water pressure systems |
| 100 PSI | 6.895 bar | Standard air compressor |
| 120 PSI | 8.274 bar | High-output compressor |
| 150 PSI | 10.342 bar | Industrial pneumatic systems |
| 200 PSI | 13.79 bar | Hydraulic hand tools |
| 500 PSI | 34.47 bar | Medium hydraulic systems |
| 1000 PSI | 68.95 bar | High-pressure hydraulics |
| 3000 PSI | 206.8 bar | Scuba tank / hydraulic presses |
PSI stands for pounds per square inch, an imperial unit of pressure widely used in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It measures how much force (in pounds) is exerted over one square inch of surface area. PSI is the standard unit for tire pressure gauges, air compressors, hydraulic systems, and water pressure readings in North America. The unit originated from the British engineering system and remains deeply embedded in American manufacturing, automotive, and construction industries.
Bar is a metric unit of pressure defined as exactly 100,000 pascals (100 kPa). It was introduced by the Norwegian meteorologist Vilhelm Bjerknes and is closely related to atmospheric pressure: standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1.01325 bar. Bar is the preferred pressure unit across most of Europe, in scientific research, and in international engineering standards. It provides a convenient scale where 1 bar is approximately one atmosphere, making it intuitive for many practical applications. The unit is commonly seen on European tire sidewalls, compressor ratings, and industrial pressure specifications.
The two units are related by the conversion factor 1 PSI = 0.0689476 bar, or equivalently 1 bar = 14.5038 PSI. Because bar is the larger unit, any pressure value expressed in bar will be a smaller number than the same pressure in PSI. For instance, a typical car tire at 32 PSI reads only 2.21 bar. Understanding both units is essential for anyone working with international equipment, reading foreign specifications, or traveling between countries that use different measurement systems.
bar = PSI × 0.0689476
PSI = bar ÷ 0.0689476 (or bar × 14.5038)
The factor 0.0689476 comes from the exact definition: 1 PSI = 6,894.757 pascals, and 1 bar = 100,000 pascals. Dividing gives 6,894.757 / 100,000 = 0.06894757 bar per PSI.
Question: Convert 32 PSI to bar.
Solution:
This is the recommended tire pressure for most midsize sedans. European tire gauges would display approximately 2.2 bar.
Question: A shop compressor is rated at 150 PSI. What is this in bar?
Solution:
Industrial compressors rated at 150 PSI are common in auto repair shops and can power most pneumatic tools.
Question: A scuba diving tank is filled to 3,000 PSI. Convert to bar.
Solution:
Standard aluminum scuba tanks are filled to either 3,000 PSI (207 bar) or 3,300 PSI (228 bar) depending on the rating.
For a quick estimate without a calculator, divide the PSI value by 14.5. For example, 30 PSI ÷ 14.5 ≈ 2.07 bar (exact: 2.068 bar). Another approach: divide by 15 for a rough figure, then add about 3% to correct. This works because 1 bar = 14.5038 PSI, and 14.5 is close enough for mental math. For tire pressures in the 25-45 PSI range, dividing by 14.5 gives answers accurate to within 0.5%.
Vehicle tire specifications vary by size, load rating, and intended use. This table covers typical pressures from compact cars through heavy commercial vehicles.
| PSI | Bar | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 28 PSI | 1.931 bar | Compact car front tires |
| 30 PSI | 2.068 bar | Compact car rear tires |
| 32 PSI | 2.206 bar | Midsize sedan all tires |
| 35 PSI | 2.413 bar | SUV / crossover tires |
| 40 PSI | 2.758 bar | Light truck tires |
| 44 PSI | 3.034 bar | Performance sport tires |
| 80 PSI | 5.516 bar | Heavy commercial truck tires |
| 100 PSI | 6.895 bar | Bus and large vehicle tires |
| 110 PSI | 7.584 bar | Racing bicycle tires |
| 120 PSI | 8.274 bar | Road cycling tubular tires |
Industrial equipment operates across a vast pressure range. Understanding PSI to bar conversions is critical for reading equipment ratings, setting relief valves, and maintaining safe operations.
| PSI | Bar | Equipment / Use |
|---|---|---|
| 50 PSI | 3.447 bar | Pneumatic nail guns |
| 90 PSI | 6.205 bar | Standard air tools |
| 100 PSI | 6.895 bar | Portable compressors |
| 150 PSI | 10.342 bar | Industrial compressors |
| 500 PSI | 34.47 bar | Hydraulic cylinders |
| 1,500 PSI | 103.4 bar | Hydraulic presses |
| 3,000 PSI | 206.8 bar | Hydraulic power units |
| 5,000 PSI | 344.7 bar | Heavy-duty hydraulics |
| 10,000 PSI | 689.5 bar | Waterjet cutting systems |
| 60,000 PSI | 4137 bar | Ultra-high-pressure waterjet |
Tire pressure is specified in PSI in North America and bar in Europe. Incorrect conversion leads to underinflated or overinflated tires, affecting fuel economy, tread wear, handling, and safety. Most vehicles have a door placard showing recommended pressure in both units.
Pressure vessels, piping systems, and quality control instruments may be calibrated in either PSI or bar depending on the manufacturer's origin. Accurate conversion ensures correct pressure settings, prevents equipment damage, and maintains product quality standards.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems use pressure readings for refrigerant charging, duct static pressure, and system diagnostics. European HVAC equipment often uses bar while US technicians work in PSI, making conversion essential for imported equipment.
Hydraulic systems in construction equipment, industrial machinery, and aircraft operate at very high pressures. Equipment from different countries may rate maximum working pressure in PSI or bar. Misreading these ratings can lead to dangerous overpressure situations or system failures.
PSI to bar produces a smaller number (multiply by 0.0689). Bar to PSI produces a larger number (multiply by 14.5). If your converted value goes the wrong direction, you are using the inverse factor.
Although 1 bar is close to 1 atmosphere (1 atm = 1.01325 bar), they are not identical. Using the wrong conversion factor introduces a 1.3% error. For most practical purposes the difference is negligible, but for scientific work use the exact values.
Most gauges read gauge pressure (psig / barg), which is relative to atmospheric pressure. Absolute pressure (psia / bara) includes atmospheric pressure. The PSI-to-bar conversion factor is the same for both, but make sure you are comparing the same type of reading.
For tire pressure, one decimal place in bar is sufficient (e.g., 2.2 bar). For laboratory instruments and calibration, you may need four or more decimal places. Over-rounding in critical applications can cause equipment to operate outside safe limits.
When working with unfamiliar equipment, verify your conversion by checking a known reference point. For example, standard atmospheric pressure is 14.696 PSI = 1.01325 bar. If your gauge reads approximately these values at sea level with no applied pressure, your readings and conversions are correct.
To convert PSI to bar, multiply the PSI value by 0.0689476. For example, 30 PSI multiplied by 0.0689476 equals 2.068 bar. This conversion factor is derived from the exact relationship between imperial and metric pressure units.
Yes, 1 bar is approximately equal to 14.5038 PSI. For quick estimates, rounding to 14.5 PSI per bar gives results accurate to within 0.03%. For engineering calculations requiring higher precision, always use the exact factor of 14.5038.
32 PSI equals approximately 2.21 bar. Most modern vehicles recommend tire pressures between 30 and 35 PSI (2.07 to 2.41 bar). Maintaining correct tire pressure in either unit is essential for fuel efficiency, tire longevity, and safe handling.
Bar is more commonly used worldwide, especially in Europe, Asia, and scientific contexts. PSI is standard in the United States, Canada, and some industrial sectors. International engineering specifications increasingly use bar or kilopascals as part of the SI metric system.
Bar is a metric unit of pressure where 1 bar equals 100,000 pascals, roughly one atmosphere. PSI (pounds per square inch) is an imperial unit measuring force in pounds over one square inch of area. Bar gives smaller numerical values for the same pressure: 100 PSI is only 6.89 bar.
2 bar equals approximately 29.01 PSI. This is calculated by dividing 2 by 0.0689476, or equivalently multiplying 2 by 14.5038. This pressure is close to the recommended tire pressure for many passenger vehicles.
European tire gauges typically display bar or kilopascals because Europe uses the metric system. American gauges show PSI because the United States uses the imperial system for everyday measurements. Many modern digital gauges allow switching between PSI, bar, and kPa.
In industrial applications, pressures above 1,000 PSI (68.95 bar) are generally considered high pressure. Hydraulic systems commonly operate at 3,000 to 5,000 PSI (207 to 345 bar), while ultra-high-pressure waterjet cutting systems reach 60,000 PSI (4,137 bar) or more.
Yes, the conversion factor of 0.0689476 applies to both gauge pressure (psig to barg) and absolute pressure (psia to bara). The factor converts the numerical value between units regardless of whether the reading is gauge or absolute.
The factor 0.0689476 is accurate to six significant figures and is sufficient for virtually all engineering and industrial applications. The exact conversion is 1 PSI = 6894.757293168 pascals, which gives 0.06894757 bar to eight significant figures.
This PSI to bar converter uses the standard conversion factor of 0.0689476 and is suitable for general engineering, automotive, and industrial applications. For safety-critical pressure systems (boilers, pressure vessels, gas cylinders), always verify readings with calibrated instruments and consult applicable codes and standards. This tool is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional engineering judgment.