Bar and kilopascals
The bar is exactly 100,000 pascals, slightly less than one standard atmosphere. Tire pressure in Europe, espresso machines, scuba tanks and industrial gauges use bar.
A kilopascal is 1,000 pascals. Tire pressure in Canada and Australia, engineering specs and medical gas pressures use kPa.
Worked example
Convert 2.5 bar: 2.5 × 100 = 250, so 2.5 bar is 250 kilopascals. Likewise 2 bar = 200 kPa.
Estimating in your head
The factor is a power of ten, so just move the decimal point 2 places to the right: 2.5 bar = 250 kPa.
Going the other way
To convert kilopascals to bar, divide by 100 (or multiply by 0.01). The swap button between the boxes opens that page.
How this works
kPa = bar × 100
1 bar = 100,000 Pa and 1 kPa = 1,000 Pa, both by definition, so the factor is their ratio: 100 exactly. Results drop binary floating-point noise beyond 15 significant digits and display at the precision you choose (6 significant figures by default). Copy result copies the full value.
Frequently asked
How many kilopascals are in a bar?
1 bar = 100 kilopascals, exactly. The value follows from the unit definitions, so it never changes.
How do I convert bar to kilopascals?
Multiply by 100. For example, 2 bar × 100 = 200 kPa.
What is 10 bar in kilopascals?
10 bar = 1,000 kPa. The table next to the converter lists more common values.
Is the result rounded?
Only on screen. The page computes with the exact definitions and removes floating-point noise past 15 significant digits; pick 3 to 12 significant figures, or use Copy result for the full value.
Sources
- NIST SP 811 Appendix B.8 — Factors for units listed alphabetically
- NIST SP 811 Appendix B.9 — Factors for units listed by kind of quantity
- Wikipedia — Pound per square inch
Reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · test vectors fixtures/units/pressure/bar-to-kpa/