kPa to PSI Converter
Convert from Kilopascal (kPa) to Pounds per Square Inch (PSI)
Understanding kPa and PSI
The kilopascal (kPa) is a unit of pressure in the International System of Units (SI).
- 1 kPa = 1,000 pascals (Pa)
- The pascal is the SI base unit of pressure
- Named after Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician and physicist
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
kPa to PSI:
PSI = kPa × 0.14503773773
To convert from kilopascals to PSI, multiply the kPa value by approximately 0.145038.
PSI to kPa:
kPa = PSI × 6.89475729
To convert from PSI to kilopascals, multiply the PSI value by approximately 6.89476.
kPa to PSI Conversion Table
| Kilopascal (kPa) | Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) |
|---|---|
| 50 | 7.252 |
| 100 | 14.504 |
| 150 | 21.756 |
| 200 | 29.008 |
| 250 | 36.259 |
| 300 | 43.511 |
| 350 | 50.763 |
| 400 | 58.015 |
| 450 | 65.267 |
| 500 | 72.519 |
Historical Context and Applications
Historical Development
The pascal was named after Blaise Pascal, whose experiments in the 17th century significantly advanced our understanding of pressure. PSI has been used in English-speaking countries since the early days of steam power in the 18th century. Today, PSI remains common in the US and UK, while kPa is the standard in most countries that use the metric system.
Common Applications
- kPa: Commonly used in engineering, HVAC systems, and scientific contexts globally. Standard in metric-system countries for tire pressure.
- PSI: Widely used in the United States for tire pressure, industrial applications, and plumbing systems. Often used on pressure gauges for mechanical systems.
Practical Examples
- Standard atmospheric pressure: 101.325 kPa (14.7 PSI)
- Recommended car tire pressure: 200-250 kPa (29-36 PSI)
- Bicycle tire pressure: 400-800 kPa (58-116 PSI)
- Basketball: 55 kPa (8 PSI)
- Home water pressure: 275-550 kPa (40-80 PSI)
- Enter your value in the kilopascal (kPa) field
- The converter instantly displays the equivalent in PSI
- Use the swap button to convert from PSI to kPa instead
- Results are displayed with 6 decimal places for precision
For quick reference without calculations, refer to the conversion table above for common values.