Convert Bar to PSI
Bar to psi is the conversion you need when a pressure is in bar but you think in pounds per square inch — tires, scuba tanks, and air compressors all come up this way. One bar is approximately 14.5038 psi, so a bar reading always turns into a bigger psi number.
Bar to Pounds per square inch conversion table
| Bar (bar) | Pounds per square inch (psi) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14.503774 |
| 2 | 29.007548 |
| 3 | 43.511321 |
| 5 | 72.518869 |
| 10 | 145.037738 |
| 20 | 290.075475 |
| 50 | 725.188689 |
| 100 | 1,450.377377 |
| 500 | 7,251.886887 |
| 1,000 | 14,503.773773 |
The formula
To convert bar to psi, multiply the number of bar by 14.5038:
psi = bar × 14.5038
A worked example
Say you have a reading of 1 bar and want it in psi:
1 × 14.5038 = 14.5038 psi
So 1 bar is about 14.5 psi.
Why it's an approximation
The bar comes from the metric pascal, while psi is built from the pound-force and the square inch — two systems that don't divide evenly into each other. The full factor runs out to 14.503773773020923 psi per bar, so any short version like 14.5038 is rounded. That's why this conversion stays approximate: the underlying units simply don't line up cleanly.
When you'll use it
Checking tire pressure when the sticker is in bar but your gauge reads psi, reading a scuba tank in bar against a psi rating, or setting an air compressor that mixes the two units.
Frequently asked questions
How many psi are in one bar?
About 14.5038 psi — close to 14.5 psi for quick mental math. It's a rounded figure because psi is an imperial unit that doesn't divide evenly into the bar.
Is 1 bar roughly 14.5 psi?
Yes. One bar is approximately 14.5 psi, so a car tire at 2.2 bar is about 32 psi. Use 14.5038 when you want more precision.
Is the bar to psi conversion exact?
No. Psi is built from the pound and the inch, which don't line up evenly with the bar, so the factor 14.5038 is rounded for everyday use.