The factor is 14.2233
One kgf/cm² is 14.2233 psi. The unit is the technical atmosphere, defined as exactly 98,066.5 pascals; dividing by 6,894.757 Pa per psi gives the factor. For a quick mental estimate, multiply by 14 and add a couple of percent.
Common pressure values
| kgf/cm² | psi | bar | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 14.22 | 0.98 | near sea-level air pressure |
| 2.0 | 28.45 | 1.96 | car tire, low side |
| 2.3 | 32.71 | 2.26 | typical car tire |
| 3.0 | 42.67 | 2.94 | car tire, high / small trailer |
| 7.0 | 99.56 | 6.86 | workshop air compressor |
| 150 | 2,133 | 147 | hydraulic pump |
| 250 | 3,556 | 245 | industrial press |
A hydraulic line at 250 kgf/cm² runs at 3,556 psi, not 250 psi. Reading the number without the unit is how relief valves get set catastrophically wrong.
Two traps with this unit
- kgf/cm² ≠ bar. They are close (1 kgf/cm² = 0.980665 bar) but not equal. Modern European cars specify bar; older ones and much Japanese equipment use kgf/cm². Do not treat them as interchangeable on safety-critical gear.
- Gauge vs absolute. Most tire and equipment gauges read gauge pressure (above atmospheric). To get absolute pressure at sea level, add 1.033 kgf/cm². Mixing the two skews any conversion.
Common questions
What is the exact conversion from kgf/cm² to psi?
1 kgf/cm² equals 14.2233 psi. It comes from the exact definition 1 kgf/cm² = 98,066.5 pascals, divided by 6,894.757 pascals per psi. Older texts sometimes round to 14.2, which is fine for tire pressure but not for high-pressure work.
Is kgf/cm² the same as kg/cm²?
In everyday use, yes. The kgf means kilogram-force, the weight of one kilogram at Earth's surface. Many gauges and manuals write it as kg/cm², but pressure is force over area, so the kgf is what is meant.
What tire pressure is 2.3 kgf/cm² in psi?
About 33 psi (2.3 x 14.2233 = 32.7). Many older Japanese and European cars list tire pressure in kgf/cm², where 2.0 to 2.5 covers the usual 28 to 36 psi range.
