How many PSI is 1 bar?

One bar equals approximately 14.5038 PSI (pounds per square inch). This is very close to standard atmospheric pressure (14.696 PSI or 1.01325 bar). To convert bar to PSI, multiply by 14.5038.

What should my tyre pressure be in bar and PSI?

Typical car tyre pressures range from 2.0 to 2.8 bar (29 to 41 PSI) depending on the vehicle and load. The correct pressure is printed on a sticker inside the driver door frame or fuel filler cap, and in the owner manual. UK fuel station air pumps display bar, while some US-sourced information uses PSI.

Why do UK tyre gauges show bar while US ones show PSI?

The UK, like most of Europe, primarily uses the bar unit for pressure. PSI (pounds per square inch) is the standard in the United States. Many modern digital tyre gauges can display both. If your gauge only shows one unit, this converter helps you translate the recommended pressure from your vehicle manual.

Bar to PSI Converter

Convert bar to PSI and PSI to bar

Published by UltraCalculatorsLast reviewed: 1 Apr 2026v1.0Report an issue

Pressure measurements in the UK typically use the bar, while the United States and some industrial specifications use PSI (pounds per square inch). The most common scenario where this matters is tyre pressures: your vehicle handbook might show recommended pressures in bar, but an imported tyre gauge or online guide could quote PSI. Getting the conversion wrong by even a small amount can affect fuel economy, tyre wear, and handling safety. One bar equals approximately 14.5038 PSI. Bar is a metric-derived unit (though not an official SI unit) that is conveniently close to standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm = 1.01325 bar). PSI, as the name suggests, measures force in pounds across an area of one square inch. Both are widely used in engineering, hydraulics, and compressed gas systems. This converter translates between bar and PSI instantly, and also shows kilopascals (kPa, the official SI unit) and atmospheres. Whether you are inflating tyres, setting up a pressure washer, checking a boiler gauge, or working with pneumatic tools, the result is immediate and precise.

How to Use This Calculator

To use the bar to PSI converter: 1. Select the conversion direction. Choose "Bar to PSI" if you have a bar reading. Choose "PSI to Bar" if you have a PSI figure. 2. For bar to PSI: Enter the pressure in bar. The converter shows PSI, kilopascals, and atmospheres. 3. For PSI to bar: Enter the pressure in PSI. The converter shows bar, kilopascals, and atmospheres. 4. Results update instantly and are precise to four decimal places.

How It Works

The conversion uses the factor: 1 bar = 14.5038 PSI. Bar to PSI: PSI = bar x 14.5038 kPa = bar x 100 Atmospheres = bar x 0.986923 Example: 2.2 bar = 2.2 x 14.5038 = 31.91 PSI = 220 kPa = 2.17 atm PSI to Bar: Bar = PSI / 14.5038 kPa = bar x 100 Example: 35 PSI = 35 / 14.5038 = 2.413 bar = 241.3 kPa For quick mental conversion: 1 bar is roughly 14.5 PSI. So multiply bar by 15 and subtract about 3% for a reasonable estimate.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Converting recommended tyre pressure

Inputs: Bar: 2.3. Direction: bar to PSI.

PSI = 2.3 x 14.5038 = 33.36 PSI.
kPa = 2.3 x 100 = 230 kPa.
Atmospheres = 2.3 x 0.986923 = 2.27 atm.

Result: 2.3 bar equals 33.4 PSI. Many UK cars recommend front tyre pressures of 2.2-2.5 bar (32-36 PSI).

Example 2: Setting up a pressure washer from a US manual

Inputs: PSI: 2000. Direction: PSI to bar.

Bar = 2000 / 14.5038 = 137.90 bar.
kPa = 137.90 x 100 = 13,790 kPa.

Result: 2000 PSI equals 137.9 bar. This is a typical domestic pressure washer rating.

Example 3: Checking a boiler pressure gauge

Inputs: Bar: 1.5. Direction: bar to PSI.

PSI = 1.5 x 14.5038 = 21.76 PSI.
kPa = 1.5 x 100 = 150 kPa.

Result: 1.5 bar is 21.8 PSI. Normal boiler pressure is 1-2 bar (14.5-29 PSI). Above 3 bar triggers the pressure relief valve.

Common UK pressure references: car tyre front 2.0-2.5 bar (29-36 PSI), car tyre rear 2.2-2.8 bar (32-41 PSI), bicycle road tyre 6-8 bar (87-116 PSI), boiler system 1-2 bar (14.5-29 PSI), mains water pressure 1-3 bar (14.5-43.5 PSI), pressure washer 100-200 bar (1,450-2,900 PSI). Standard atmospheric pressure is 1.01325 bar or 14.696 PSI.