{
    "name": "Pressure Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/pressure-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/pressure-calculator.md",
    "category": "Science & engineering",
    "description": "Calculate pressure from a force spread over an area, or the force or area for a given pressure, in Pa, kPa, MPa, bar, psi, atm or mmHg.",
    "summary": "Pressure is force per unit area, P = F ÷ A. The same force on a smaller area gives a higher pressure, which is why knives cut and snowshoes do not sink.",
    "also_called": [
        "Force–pressure–area calculator",
        "P = F/A calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "solve",
            "label": "Solve for",
            "type": "segmented",
            "default": "pressure",
            "options": {
                "pressure": "Pressure",
                "force": "Force",
                "area": "Area"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "force",
            "label": "Force",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "500",
            "shown_when": {
                "solve": [
                    "pressure",
                    "area"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "force_unit",
            "label": "Force unit",
            "type": "select",
            "default": "n",
            "options": {
                "n": "newtons (N)",
                "kn": "kilonewtons (kN)",
                "lbf": "pounds-force (lbf)",
                "kgf": "kilograms-force (kgf)"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "area",
            "label": "Area",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "0.01",
            "shown_when": {
                "solve": [
                    "pressure",
                    "force"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "area_unit",
            "label": "Area unit",
            "type": "select",
            "default": "m2",
            "options": {
                "m2": "m²",
                "cm2": "cm²",
                "mm2": "mm²",
                "ft2": "ft²",
                "in2": "in²"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "pressure",
            "label": "Pressure",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "50",
            "shown_when": {
                "solve": [
                    "force",
                    "area"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "pressure_unit",
            "label": "Pressure unit",
            "type": "select",
            "default": "kpa",
            "options": {
                "pa": "pascals (Pa)",
                "kpa": "kilopascals (kPa)",
                "mpa": "megapascals (MPa)",
                "bar": "bar",
                "atm": "atmospheres (atm)",
                "psi": "psi",
                "mmhg": "mmHg"
            }
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "answer",
            "label": "Result",
            "format": "text"
        },
        {
            "key": "pressure_pa",
            "label": "Pressure",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "pressure_kpa",
            "label": "Pressure",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "pressure_bar",
            "label": "Pressure",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "pressure_psi",
            "label": "Pressure",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "force_n",
            "label": "Force",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "area_m2",
            "label": "Area",
            "format": "number"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "P = F ÷ A;  F = P × A;  A = F ÷ P",
        "variables": {
            "P": "pressure in pascals (1 Pa = 1 N/m²; 1 bar = 100 kPa; 1 psi = 6.894757 kPa; 1 atm = 101.325 kPa)",
            "F": "force normal to the surface in N",
            "A": "area in m²"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "solve": "pressure",
            "force": "500",
            "force_unit": "n",
            "area": "0.01",
            "area_unit": "m2",
            "pressure": "50",
            "pressure_unit": "kpa"
        },
        "steps": [
            "P = F ÷ A.",
            "P = 500 N ÷ 0.01 m² = 50,000 Pa = 50 kPa (0.5 bar, about 7.25 psi)."
        ],
        "result": "A 500 N load on 0.01 m² (a 10 cm square) exerts 50 kPa."
    },
    "interpretation": "Use the force perpendicular to the surface. For a hydraulic press the same pressure acts on both pistons, so the force scales with the piston area: that is the force multiplication in jacks and brakes.",
    "assumptions": [
        "Force spread evenly over the area and acting perpendicular to it."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Real contacts concentrate stress at edges and high points; peak pressure can far exceed the average."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "Is this gauge or absolute pressure?",
            "answer": "Neither as such: it is the pressure the force creates. Add atmospheric pressure (101.325 kPa at sea level) if you need an absolute value."
        },
        {
            "question": "How do I convert psi to kPa?",
            "answer": "Multiply by 6.894757. For example, 32 psi is 220.6 kPa."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [
        {
            "title": "BIPM: The International System of Units (SI)",
            "url": "https://www.bipm.org/"
        }
    ],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Hydrostatic Pressure Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/hydrostatic-pressure-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Force Calculator (F = ma)",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/force-mass-acceleration-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Ideal Gas Law Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/ideal-gas-law-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": null,
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}