Pressure is a fundamental measurement in physics. We use different units to measure it, two of which are kilopascals (kPa) and pounds per square inch (psi).
This article will explain the relationship between these two units and show you how to easily convert from kPa to psi.
You’ll often see kPa used in scientific settings, while psi is more common in everyday applications, especially in the United States. Let’s dive into how they relate and quickly convert 100kpa in psi!
What is a kilopascal?
Pressure is typically measured in pascals (Pa), but when you’re dealing with larger amounts of pressure, the numbers can get a little unwieldy. That’s when it’s useful to switch to kilopascals (kPa).
Kilo is a prefix that means 1,000, so 1 kPa equals 1,000 Pa. The kilopascal is an SI unit of pressure that’s used in many scientific contexts.
History of the kilopascal
The kilopascal was adopted as a standard unit of pressure as part of the International System of Units.
What is pounds per square inch (psi)?
Pounds per square inch, abbreviated as psi, is a unit of pressure in the imperial and U.S. customary unit systems.
In terms of force and area, psi refers to the amount of force, measured in pounds-force, exerted over an area of one square inch.
The psi measurement is commonly used in the United States for many everyday measurements, such as tire pressure, and pressure in tanks and pipes.
A little history
The psi unit came into use as part of the imperial unit system, which has been used in Great Britain and its former colonies, including the United States.
How to convert kPa to psi
To convert kilopascals (kPa) to pounds per square inch (psi), you can use this formula:
psi = kPa ÷ 6.89475729
You can also remember that 1 kPa = 0.14503774 psi.
The formulas are based on the fact that there are 6.89475729 kilopascals in one psi.
Conversion Example
Let’s convert 100 kPa to psi.
The formula is: kPa ÷ 6.89475729 = psi
So, 100 kPa ÷ 6.89475729 = 14.503774 psi.
Therefore, 100 kPa is equal to 14.503774 psi.
Keep in mind that when you’re converting units, precision matters. Depending on what you’re measuring, you may need to round the number.
kPa to psi Conversion Table
This table provides a quick way to convert between kilopascals (kPa) and pounds per square inch (psi).
- 1 kPa = 0.145038 psi
- 10 kPa = 1.45038 psi
- 100 kPa = 14.5038 psi
This table can be expanded to include more values as needed.
Key Takeaways
kPa and psi are both ways to measure pressure. Knowing how to convert between them is useful in many real-world situations.
While the conversion formula is straightforward, you don’t have to memorize it. There are plenty of online tools and conversion charts that make it easy to switch between kPa and psi.