Bar to kPa Converter
Convert bar to kilopascals (kPa) and back instantly.
Edit either field and the other updates instantly. 1 bar = 100 kPa.
Bar to kPa Quick Reference
| Bar | Kilopascals (kPa) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 bar | 50 kPa |
| 1 bar | 100 kPa |
| 2 bar | 200 kPa |
| 5 bar | 500 kPa |
| 10 bar | 1,000 kPa |
The Bar to kPa Conversion Factor
The bar and the kilopascal are both metric units of pressure. The conversion is exact and simple:
1 bar = 100 kPa = 100,000 Pa
- To convert bar to kilopascals, multiply by 100: kPa = bar × 100.
- To convert kilopascals to bar, divide by 100: bar = kPa / 100.
- One bar equals 100,000 pascals (Pa), the SI base unit of pressure.
SI Pressure Units
Pressure is force per unit area. In the International System of Units (SI), the base unit is the pascal (Pa), equal to one newton per square meter. Because the pascal is small, multiples are widely used:
- Pascal (Pa): The SI unit, equal to 1 N/m².
- Kilopascal (kPa): 1,000 pascals. Common in engineering, weather reports, and tire pressure outside the US.
- Bar: 100,000 pascals (100 kPa). Roughly equal to average atmospheric pressure at sea level (1.01325 bar).
- Megapascal (MPa): 1,000,000 pascals (10 bar). Used for high pressures in hydraulics and material strength.
Common Uses
Both bar and kilopascals appear across many everyday and technical contexts:
- Tire pressure: Often given in bar in Europe and in kPa in many vehicle manuals.
- Weather and meteorology: Atmospheric pressure is reported in hectopascals (hPa) and millibars, where 1 hPa = 1 mbar.
- HVAC and plumbing: System and water pressures are commonly specified in bar or kPa.
- Industrial and scientific equipment: Gauges and data sheets frequently switch between bar and kPa.