Result in MPa
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Equivalent pressure
Accurately convert pounds per square inch (PSI) to megapascals (MPa) — and back
Convert PSI to MPa instantly using the exact conversion factor. Full multi-unit pressure breakdown into kPa, bar, atm, and N/mm² — all in one free tool for 2026.
Professional pressure conversion for engineering, construction, hydraulics, tyre inflation, and industrial applications
1 PSI (pound-force per square inch) is exactly equal to 0.00689476 MPa (megapascals). This is derived from the definitions of the pound-force (1 lbf = 4.44822 N) and the square inch (1 in² = 6.4516 × 10⁻⁴ m²), combined with the SI prefix mega (10⁶). The reverse factor is 1 MPa = 145.038 PSI. Since 1 MPa = 1 N/mm², the conversion is also widely used in structural engineering to convert steel and concrete strength specs from imperial to metric.
Switch instantly between PSI → MPa and MPa → PSI conversion modes. The results panel simultaneously displays the equivalent pressure in all six common units — PSI, MPa, kPa, bar, standard atmospheres (atm), and N/mm² — so you get complete cross-unit context from a single input. No need for multiple tools or manual chain conversions when working across imperial and metric pressure specifications in engineering documents or datasheets.
Essential for civil and structural engineers converting concrete compressive strength (often specified in MPa internationally, or PSI in the US), mechanical engineers working with hydraulic system pressures, tyre and automotive technicians converting inflation specs, oil and gas professionals working with wellbore and pipeline pressures, HVAC engineers interpreting refrigerant system pressures, and students working across imperial and SI unit systems in engineering coursework in 2026.
Select conversion direction, enter your pressure value, and get instant multi-unit results
PSI stands for pounds per square inch (more precisely, pound-force per square inch, lbf/in²) and is the primary pressure unit used in the United States, UK, and other countries still using the imperial system for engineering, automotive, and industrial applications. MPa stands for megapascal — the SI unit of pressure equal to one million pascals (1 MPa = 1,000,000 Pa = 1 N/mm²). It is the dominant pressure unit in international engineering standards, concrete design codes (such as Eurocode 2 and AS 3600), and scientific applications worldwide.
The exact conversion factor is 1 PSI = 0.00689476 MPa, derived from the precise definitions of the pound-force and the square inch in SI units. Equivalently, 1 MPa = 145.038 PSI. An easy rule of thumb for quick mental estimates: 1 MPa ≈ 145 PSI, so to convert MPa to PSI, multiply by 145. To convert PSI to MPa, divide by 145 (or more precisely, multiply by 0.006895). For concrete strength specifications, 1,000 PSI ≈ 6.895 MPa — meaning a 4,000 PSI concrete mix (common in the US) equals approximately 27.58 MPa (close to the standard C28/35 grade used in European codes).
Example: 3,000 PSI × 0.006895 = 20.68 MPa | 25 MPa × 145.038 = 3,625.95 PSI
1 PSI = 0.006895 MPa | 1 MPa = 145.038 PSI | 1 MPa = 1 N/mm² | 1 MPa = 10 bar
To convert PSI to MPa, simply multiply the PSI value by 0.00689476. Here are three worked examples across common engineering contexts:
Input: 32 PSI
Formula: 32 × 0.006895 = 0.2206 MPa
= 220.6 kPa = 2.206 bar
Typical car tyre inflation pressure
Input: 4,000 PSI
Formula: 4,000 × 0.006895 = 27.58 MPa
= 27,580 kPa = 275.8 bar
Standard structural concrete mix (US)
Input: 5,000 PSI
Formula: 5,000 × 0.006895 = 34.47 MPa
= 34,474 kPa = 344.7 bar
Typical industrial hydraulic system
PSI → MPa: Divide by 145 for a close estimate. Example: 2,900 PSI ÷ 145 ≈ 20 MPa (exact: 19.99 MPa — very accurate). MPa → PSI: Multiply by 145. Example: 30 MPa × 145 = 4,350 PSI (exact: 4,351 PSI). PSI → kPa: Multiply by 6.895 (or roughly by 7 for quick estimates). PSI → bar: Divide by 14.5. Key benchmark: 1 standard atmosphere = 14.696 PSI = 0.10133 MPa = 1.01325 bar. For concrete: divide PSI by 1,000 then multiply by 6.895 to get MPa (e.g., 4 ksi = 27.58 MPa).
Complete reference table for common PSI to MPa conversions with kPa and bar equivalents and real-world context. Green rows = low pressures (tyres/pneumatics), orange = mid-range (structural/industrial), red = high pressures (hydraulic/industrial). Desktop shows full table; mobile shows grouped cards.
| PSI | MPa | kPa | bar | atm | Real-World Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 PSI | 0.00689 MPa | 6.895 kPa | 0.0689 bar | 0.068 atm | Low reference pressure |
| 5 PSI | 0.03447 MPa | 34.47 kPa | 0.345 bar | 0.340 atm | Low pneumatic pressure |
| 10 PSI | 0.06895 MPa | 68.95 kPa | 0.690 bar | 0.680 atm | Bicycle tyre (min) |
| 14.696 PSI | 0.10133 MPa | 101.33 kPa | 1.013 bar | 1.000 atm | Standard atmosphere (sea level) |
| 15 PSI | 0.10342 MPa | 103.42 kPa | 1.034 bar | 1.020 atm | Near atmospheric |
| 30 PSI | 0.20684 MPa | 206.84 kPa | 2.068 bar | 2.040 atm | Car tyre pressure (typical) |
| 35 PSI | 0.24132 MPa | 241.32 kPa | 2.413 bar | 2.381 atm | Car / SUV tyre (max) |
| 60 PSI | 0.41369 MPa | 413.69 kPa | 4.137 bar | 4.082 atm | Road bicycle tyre |
| 100 PSI | 0.68948 MPa | 689.48 kPa | 6.895 bar | 6.805 atm | High-pressure pneumatic tool |
| 120 PSI | 0.82737 MPa | 827.37 kPa | 8.274 bar | 8.165 atm | Racing bicycle tyre / air compressor |
| 145 PSI | 1.00000 MPa | 1,000 kPa | 10.000 bar | 9.869 atm | 1 MPa reference point |
| 500 PSI | 3.4474 MPa | 3,447 kPa | 34.47 bar | 34.02 atm | Low hydraulic system |
| 1,000 PSI | 6.8948 MPa | 6,895 kPa | 68.95 bar | 68.05 atm | Medium hydraulic / water jetting |
| 2,500 PSI | 17.237 MPa | 17,237 kPa | 172.4 bar | 170.1 atm | Structural concrete (C17) |
| 3,000 PSI | 20.684 MPa | 20,684 kPa | 206.8 bar | 204.1 atm | Standard concrete mix (US) |
| 3,625 PSI | 25.000 MPa | 25,000 kPa | 250.0 bar | 246.7 atm | C25 grade concrete (ISO) |
| 4,000 PSI | 27.579 MPa | 27,579 kPa | 275.8 bar | 272.2 atm | Structural concrete (US standard) |
| 4,351 PSI | 30.000 MPa | 30,000 kPa | 300.0 bar | 296.1 atm | C30 grade concrete (ISO/Eurocode) |
| 5,000 PSI | 34.474 MPa | 34,474 kPa | 344.7 bar | 340.3 atm | High-strength concrete / hydraulics |
| 10,000 PSI | 68.948 MPa | 68,948 kPa | 689.5 bar | 680.5 atm | High-pressure hydraulic systems |
| 15,000 PSI | 103.421 MPa | 103,421 kPa | 1,034 bar | 1,020 atm | Oilfield / pressure testing |
| 20,000 PSI | 137.895 MPa | 137,895 kPa | 1,379 bar | 1,361 atm | Ultra-high pressure waterjet cutting |
| 50,000 PSI | 344.738 MPa | 344,738 kPa | 3,447 bar | 3,402 atm | Industrial waterjet / deep-sea |
🟢 Green = low/tyre pressures | 🟧 Orange = structural/mid industrial | 🔴 Red = high-pressure industrial/hydraulic
PSI and MPa measure the same physical quantity (pressure or stress = force per unit area) but are used in different contexts and regions. Understanding when and why each unit is preferred is essential for engineers and technicians working across international standards.
The most common PSI ↔ MPa conversion in civil engineering is concrete compressive strength. US codes (ACI 318) specify concrete strength in PSI — commonly 3,000, 4,000, or 5,000 PSI for different structural elements. International codes (Eurocode 2, AS 3600, IS 456) specify in MPa. A standard 4,000 PSI mix = 27.58 MPa ≈ C28/35 Eurocode grade. US structural steel yield strengths (Grade 60 = 60,000 PSI = 413.7 MPa, Grade 36 = 36,000 PSI = 248.2 MPa) also require this conversion when referencing international standards.
Tyre pressure is specified in PSI in the US and UK, and in bar or kPa in Europe and Australia. The equivalent for a typical car tyre (32 PSI) is 0.221 MPa = 2.21 bar = 221 kPa. Many digital tyre gauges and petrol station air machines in metric countries display bar or kPa — knowing that 1 bar ≈ 14.5 PSI and 100 kPa ≈ 14.5 PSI allows quick cross-reference. Truck tyre pressures (80–120 PSI) convert to 0.55–0.83 MPa = 5.5–8.3 bar.
Hydraulic system pressures are specified in PSI in North American equipment manuals and MPa or bar in European and Asian equipment. Common industrial hydraulic system operating pressures of 2,000–5,000 PSI convert to 13.8–34.5 MPa (138–345 bar). Hydraulic pump and cylinder datasheets from international manufacturers always require this conversion. High-pressure hydraulic systems (10,000–20,000 PSI = 69–138 MPa) are found in aerospace, oil and gas, and heavy construction equipment.
Wellbore pressures, pipeline operating pressures, and safety valve ratings in the oil and gas industry are routinely expressed in both PSI (North American operations) and MPa (international standards and subsea equipment). A typical gas pipeline operating pressure of 1,000 PSI = 6.895 MPa. Maximum allowable operating pressures (MAOP) for high-pressure gas transmission pipelines often fall in the 1,000–1,500 PSI (6.9–10.3 MPa) range. API and ISO standards frequently cross-reference both unit systems.
Refrigerant system pressures in HVAC and refrigeration are typically specified in PSI in North America and in bar or kPa in the rest of the world. Common refrigerant R-410A operates at 120–400 PSI (0.83–2.76 MPa) on the low and high side respectively. R-134a typical operating pressures are 22–145 PSI (0.15–1.0 MPa). Technicians working with international equipment manuals or mixed-fleet servicing must routinely convert between these units to set correct charge levels and diagnose system faults.
Ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength, and hardness-related pressure values of metals and composites are specified in both PSI (US standards: ASTM, SAE) and MPa (international standards: ISO, EN, JIS). Structural steel: 36,000–100,000 PSI (248–690 MPa). Aluminium alloys: 10,000–80,000 PSI (69–552 MPa). Carbon fibre composites: up to 500,000 PSI (3,447 MPa). Materials engineers, quality inspectors, and product designers regularly need PSI ↔ MPa conversion when interpreting international datasheets and certificates of conformity.
1 atm = 14.696 PSI = 0.10133 MPa = 1.01325 bar. 1 MPa = 145.038 PSI = 1,000 kPa = 10 bar = 1 N/mm². 100 PSI = 0.6895 MPa. 1,000 PSI = 6.895 MPa. 3,000 PSI = 20.68 MPa (standard US concrete). 4,000 PSI = 27.58 MPa (structural US concrete). 5,000 PSI = 34.47 MPa (high-strength). Quick rule: PSI ÷ 145 = MPa (within 0.03% accuracy). MPa × 145 = PSI (same accuracy). Since 1 MPa = 1 N/mm², MPa values for material strength convert directly to N/mm² with no further calculation needed.
Always confirm whether a pressure value is gauge pressure (measured relative to atmospheric pressure) or absolute pressure (measured relative to perfect vacuum). PSI gauge = PSIG; PSI absolute = PSIA. The difference is 14.696 PSI (1 atm). Example: a tyre gauge reading of 32 PSIG = 32 + 14.696 = 46.696 PSIA = 0.322 MPaa (absolute). For most engineering conversions (concrete strength, material specs, hydraulic system ratings), gauge pressure is standard. For thermodynamic and scientific calculations, absolute pressure is required. The converter above performs unit conversion only — it does not switch between gauge and absolute; that offset (14.696 PSI / 0.10133 MPa) must be added or subtracted manually if required.
The American Concrete Institute's ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete specifies concrete compressive strength (f'c) in PSI. Engineers working with international counterparts using Eurocode 2 or AS 3600 (which use MPa) need the PSI ↔ MPa conversion constantly. ACI also publishes SI edition documents that express the same specifications in MPa, making this converter an essential companion for any structural engineer working across codes.
ACI 318 →The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides authoritative definitions and exact conversion factors for all SI and non-SI pressure units including the pascal, bar, PSI, and atmosphere. The NIST Guide to the SI and the NIST Special Publication 811 are the definitive references for unit conversion accuracy in scientific and engineering contexts, specifying that 1 psi = 6,894.757 Pa = 0.00689476 MPa exactly.
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