How this calculator works
A kilogram-force is the weight of one kilogram under standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 N. Spread over one square centimetre, which is 0.0001 m2, that gives 98,066.5 Pa, so kgf/cm² is a metric engineering pressure of 98.0665 kPa. One pound per square inch is 6,894.757293168 Pa, the international pound-force acting on a square inch. Dividing the two pascal values gives 1 kgf/cm² = 14.2233 psi. The kilogram-force is a non-SI unit, kept for older drawings and gauges.
Formula
psi = kgf/cm² x 98066.5 / 6894.757293168. kgf/cm² = psi x 6894.757293168 / 98066.5. The kilogram-force is exactly 9.80665 N and the square centimetre is exactly 0.0001 m2.
Worked example
1 kgf/cm² = 14.2233 psi = 98.0665 kPa = 0.980665 bar. 10 kgf/cm² = 142.233 psi. 100 kgf/cm² = 1,422.33 psi, which is 9.80665 MPa.
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Frequently asked questions
Is kgf/cm² the same as bar?
No, but they are close. One kgf/cm² is 0.980665 bar, so the two differ by about 2 percent. A gauge marked bar reads slightly higher than one marked kgf/cm² for the same pressure.
Why is it called kg/cm² if kilograms measure mass?
The kilogram in this unit is a kilogram-force, the force exerted by a one-kilogram mass in standard gravity. Strictly, the unit is kgf/cm², and writing kg/cm² is a common shorthand.
Is kgf/cm² the same as a standard atmosphere?
No. One standard atmosphere is 101,325 Pa, while one kgf/cm² is 98,066.5 Pa. An atmosphere is about 1.0332 kgf/cm².
What is the difference between gauge and absolute pressure?
Gauge pressure is measured from the surrounding atmosphere and can be negative. Absolute pressure is measured from a vacuum. This page converts the number as entered and does not add or subtract atmospheric pressure.