ATM to PSI Converter
Convert from Atmosphere (atm) to Pounds per Square Inch (PSI)
Understanding ATM and PSI
The standard atmosphere (atm) is a unit of pressure defined as 101,325 pascals (101.325 kPa).
- Represents the average atmospheric pressure at sea level
- Not an SI unit but is accepted for use with the SI system
- Originally defined as the pressure exerted by 760 mm of mercury at 0°C and standard gravity
PSI (pound-force per square inch) is a unit of pressure in the imperial and US customary systems.
- Commonly used in the United States and the UK
- Standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 14.7 PSI
- Widely used for tire pressure, hydraulic systems, and many industrial applications
Conversion Formula
ATM to PSI:
PSI = ATM × 14.6959
To convert from atmospheres to PSI, multiply the ATM value by approximately 14.6959.
PSI to ATM:
ATM = PSI ÷ 14.6959
To convert from PSI to atmospheres, divide the PSI value by approximately 14.6959.
ATM to PSI Conversion Table
| Atmosphere (atm) | Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) |
|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.94 |
| 0.4 | 5.88 |
| 0.6 | 8.82 |
| 0.8 | 11.76 |
| 1 | 14.70 |
| 1.2 | 17.64 |
| 1.4 | 20.57 |
| 1.6 | 23.51 |
| 1.8 | 26.45 |
| 2 | 29.39 |
Historical Context and Applications
Historical Development
The atmosphere (atm) as a unit of measurement has its roots in scientific experiments dating back to the 17th century with Evangelista Torricelli's work on vacuums and air pressure. PSI emerged during the Industrial Revolution as engineers needed standardized ways to measure pressure in steam engines and other mechanical systems. While the metric system has become dominant globally, PSI remains commonly used in the US and some other countries.
Common Applications
- atm: Used in chemistry and physics when discussing gas laws. Also used as a reference point in meteorology and atmospheric sciences.
- PSI: Widely used in automotive (tire pressure), industrial (hydraulic systems), and plumbing applications, especially in the United States.
Practical Examples
- Standard atmospheric pressure: 1 atm (14.7 PSI)
- Car tire pressure: 2-2.5 atm (29.4-36.7 PSI)
- Bicycle tire pressure: 4-8 atm (58.8-117.6 PSI)
- Scuba tank pressure: 200 atm (2,939 PSI)
- Pressure at 10m underwater: 2 atm (29.4 PSI)
- Enter your value in the atmosphere (atm) field
- The converter instantly displays the equivalent in PSI
- Use the swap button to convert from PSI to atm instead
- Results are displayed with 6 decimal places for precision
For quick reference without calculations, refer to the conversion table above for common values.