Convert bar to pound-force per square inch.

About this conversion

Bar-to-PSI: multiply by 14.5038. Used by US engineers reading European/Asian product specs, by scuba divers reading dive computers in metric mode, by cyclists reading European tire pressure recommendations.

Formula

psi = bar × 14.5038

Real-world examples

Reference values

Tips & tricks

• A "5 bar" water-resistant watch is rated to 50 m static depth — but only for static immersion, not active swimming.
• European bike tire pressure recommendations are typically 6-8 bar (≈ 87-116 psi) for road bikes — significantly higher than mountain bikes.
• Industrial pneumatic systems often run at 6-10 bar (87-145 psi).

Origin & history

See psi → bar.

What is a bar?

One bar equals exactly 100,000 pascals — close to but not exactly equal to one standard atmosphere. European industrial pressure, tire pressure in some regions, and meteorology.

What is a pounds per square inch?

One psi equals about 6,894.76 pascals — the pressure of one pound-force applied over one square inch. US tire pressure (typically 30-35 psi for cars), hydraulics, and engineering specifications.

How big is one bar in real terms?

Here are a few familiar reference points to gauge the unit.

• 1 bar — about atmospheric pressure at sea level.
• 2.5 bar — typical car tire pressure.
• 200 bar — a fully charged scuba tank.

How to convert bar to pounds per square inch

To convert a value from bar (bar) to pounds per square inch (psi), apply the conversion factor shown in the formula above. The calculation is the same whether you do it by hand, in a spreadsheet, or with the live converter on this page.

Steps:

1. Take your input value in bar.
2. Apply the formula see formula above.
3. The result is your value in psi.

For repeated calculations, save the formula in a spreadsheet or use the live converter at the top of this page — it handles the math automatically and displays the result as you type.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert bar to psi?

Apply the formula bar → psi shown above, or just type your value into the converter at the top of this page. The result updates instantly.

Which is bigger, bar or psi?

This depends on the conversion ratio in the formula. If the factor multiplied by your value gives a larger number, then psi is the smaller unit (so it takes more of them to express the same quantity). If the result is smaller, then psi is the larger unit.

When would I use bar versus psi?

Both units measure pressure, so the choice depends on context. Bar is typically used for tires, weather, hydraulics, and material strength; pounds per square inch similarly. Most professional fields standardize on one or the other based on regional conventions or technical tradition.

How precise is this bar to psi conversion?

The conversion factor shown is the internationally defined exact value (or the best-published approximation if the relationship is irrational, like degrees-to-radians). The live converter on this page uses double-precision floating-point math, accurate to about 15 significant digits — far beyond any practical engineering need.

Is the conversion ratio exact, or an approximation?

Most unit conversions between SI metric units, and between SI and US customary units, have been formally defined as exact values since the 1959 international yard-pound agreement and subsequent SI redefinitions. Exceptions are unit pairs that involve irrational numbers (radians, e.g.) or empirical conversions (like food calories, which depend on temperature). When in doubt, consult the formula at the top of this page.

Related conversions

See also