PSI to ATM Converter
Convert from Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) to Atmosphere (atm)
Understanding PSI and ATM
PSI is a unit of pressure in the imperial and US customary measurement systems.
- Defined as one pound-force applied to one square inch of area
- Standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 14.7 PSI
- Commonly used for tire pressure, hydraulic systems, and gas pressure
- Widely used in the United States and countries using imperial units
The atmosphere (atm) is a unit of pressure approximately equal to Earth's atmospheric pressure at sea level.
- 1 atm = 101,325 pascals (Pa)
- 1 atm = 14.6959 PSI
- Used in various scientific applications, particularly in chemistry and thermodynamics
- Useful for expressing pressures relative to standard atmospheric conditions
Conversion Formula
PSI to ATM:
ATM = PSI × 0.068046
To convert from PSI to atmospheres, multiply the PSI value by approximately 0.068046.
ATM to PSI:
PSI = ATM × 14.6959
To convert from atmospheres to PSI, multiply the ATM value by approximately 14.6959.
PSI to ATM Conversion Table
| Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) | Atmospheres (atm) |
|---|---|
| 5 | 0.3402 |
| 10 | 0.6805 |
| 15 | 1.0207 |
| 20 | 1.3609 |
| 25 | 1.7011 |
| 30 | 2.0414 |
| 35 | 2.3816 |
| 40 | 2.7218 |
| 45 | 3.0621 |
| 50 | 3.4023 |
Historical Context and Applications
Historical Development
The concept of atmospheric pressure was first recognized by Evangelista Torricelli in the 17th century. The atmosphere (atm) unit was established as a standard pressure unit based on the average air pressure at sea level. The PSI unit emerged during industrial development in England and became standardized as engineering practices evolved. Both units have played important roles in science and technology, with PSI being particularly important in the industrial revolution and the development of steam power.
Common Applications
- PSI: Used for tire pressure, hydraulic systems, natural gas transmission, and industrial processes. Common in engineering contexts and everyday measurements in the US.
- ATM: Often used in chemistry, thermodynamics, and other scientific contexts. Valuable for expressing pressure relative to standard conditions, particularly in gas laws and chemical reactions.
Practical Examples
- Standard atmospheric pressure: 14.7 PSI (1 atm)
- Car tire pressure: 30-35 PSI (2.04-2.38 atm)
- Bicycle tire pressure: 50-90 PSI (3.40-6.12 atm)
- Scuba tank pressure: 3,000 PSI (204.14 atm)
- Deep ocean pressure (4,000m): 5,800 PSI (394.67 atm)
- Enter your value in the PSI field
- The converter instantly displays the equivalent in atmospheres
- Use the swap button to convert from atmospheres to PSI instead
- Results are displayed with 6 decimal places for precision
- For quick reference without calculations, refer to the conversion table above
This converter is particularly useful for scientists comparing industrial measurements (in PSI) with standard conditions (in atm) or for engineers working across different measurement systems.