Why Convert Bars to Atmospheres?
Converting between bars (bar) and atmospheres (atm) is one of the most common pressure conversions. Whether for engineering, cooking, travel, or science, knowing how to quickly convert bar to atm saves time and prevents errors.
Pressure conversions between bar and atm are critical in automotive maintenance, meteorology, and diving. Tire pressure recommendations differ by region — European cars typically specify bar while US vehicles use PSI. Weather services report atmospheric pressure in different units: hPa/mbar in most countries, mmHg (inHg) in the US. Scuba divers must understand ATM conversions to calculate safe diving depths and decompression schedules.
How to Convert Bars to Atmospheres
To convert bars to atmospheres, use the following formula:
atm = bar × 0.9869232667
Example: 1 bar = 0.9869232667 atm
For example, 5 bar = 4.934616334 atm, 10 bar = 9.869232667 atm, and 100 bar = 98.69232667 atm. Our calculator above performs this conversion instantly with full precision — no rounding errors.
Common Use Cases
- Standard atmospheric pressure: 1.01325 bar = 1 atm
- Car tire gauge pressure: 2.3 bar = 2.269923513 atm
- Pressure at about 100 m underwater: 10 bar = 9.869232667 atm
- Full scuba tank pressure: 200 bar = 197.3846533 atm
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Gauge vs absolute: Tire pressure gauges read relative to atmospheric pressure (gauge pressure). Add 1 atm (~14.7 psi) to get absolute pressure.
- Bar vs ATM confusion: 1 bar ≈ 0.987 atm — they're close but not equal. For precise work, don't interchange them.
- Unit proliferation: Pressure has many units (Pa, bar, psi, atm, mmHg, torr). Always confirm which unit your equipment uses.
Pro Tips
- Memorize the factor: 1 bar = 0.9869232667 atm. For quick mental math, remember this base conversion.
- Quick reference: 5 bar = 4.934616334 atm · 10 bar = 9.869232667 atm · 25 bar = 24.67308167 atm · 50 bar = 49.34616334 atm · 100 bar = 98.69232667 atm
- Bookmark this page: Save this converter for instant access. It works offline once loaded — no internet needed.
Bars to Atmospheres Conversion Table
| bar | atm |
|---|---|
| 0.01 bar | 0.009869232667 atm |
| 0.1 bar | 0.09869232667 atm |
| 0.5 bar | 0.4934616334 atm |
| 1 bar | 0.9869232667 atm |
| 2 bar | 1.973846533 atm |
| 5 bar | 4.934616334 atm |
| 10 bar | 9.869232667 atm |
| 20 bar | 19.73846533 atm |
| 50 bar | 49.34616334 atm |
| 100 bar | 98.69232667 atm |
| 500 bar | 493.4616334 atm |
| 1000 bar | 986.9232667 atm |
All values in this table are mathematically exact per NIST SP 811.