Boneyard Tools

Pressure Calculator (P = F / A)

Enter any two of force, area or pressure and this calculator solves the third using P = F / A, with unit choices for force, area and pressure.

How to use the pressure calculator

  1. Pick the units for force, area and pressure.
  2. Enter the two values you know and leave the third blank.
  3. Read off the solved pressure, force or area.

Examples

Force over an area

F = 100 N, A = 2 m^2
P = 50 Pa

Imperial pressure

F = 100 lbf, A = 10 in^2
P = 10 psi

Frequently asked questions

What is the formula for pressure?

Pressure equals force divided by area, P = F / A. The SI unit is the pascal (Pa), which is one newton per square metre.

What units can I use?

Force in newtons or pounds-force, area in square metres, square centimetres or square inches, and pressure in pascals, kilopascals or psi.

How are pounds and psi converted?

One pound-force is 4.4482216 newtons and one psi is 6894.757 pascals. The calculator converts to SI base units, solves, then converts back.

How many values do I need to enter?

Exactly two of force, area and pressure. From any two the remaining quantity is fully determined by P = F / A.

Why can't area be zero?

Pressure is force divided by area, and dividing by zero area is undefined, so a zero area is rejected when it would be the denominator.

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