Kilopascals and atmospheres
A kilopascal is 1,000 pascals. Tire pressure in Canada and Australia, engineering specs and medical gas pressures use kPa.
The standard atmosphere is defined as exactly 101,325 pascals, the average air pressure at sea level. Chemistry, diving depth (1 atm per 10 m of water) and gas laws use atmospheres.
Worked example
Convert 200 kPa: 200 × 0.009869232667 = 1.973846533, so 200 kilopascals is 1.973846533 atmospheres. Likewise 100 kPa = 0.9869232667 atm.
Estimating in your head
Divide by 100 for a quick figure; it is off by about 1.3%. For 200 kPa that gives 2 atm, against 1.97385 exactly.
Going the other way
To convert atmospheres to kilopascals, divide by 0.009869232667 (or multiply by 101.325).
How this works
atm = kPa × 0.009869232667
1 kPa = 1,000 Pa and 1 atm = 101,325 Pa, both by definition, so the factor is their ratio: 0.009869232667 (rounded here; the page uses the full value). 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 atmospheres are in a kilopascal?
1 kilopascal = 0.009869232667 atmospheres. The factor is exact by definition but has endless decimals, so it is shown rounded; the page uses the full value.
How do I convert kilopascals to atmospheres?
Multiply by 0.009869232667. For example, 100 kPa × 0.009869232667 = 0.9869232667 atm.
What is 1,000 kPa in atmospheres?
1,000 kPa = 9.869232667 atm. 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/kpa-to-atm/