Elevation to Pressure Converter
Convert elevation pressure between units instantly. Includes conversion tables, common equivalents, and calculation formulas.
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator
Formula
P = P0 x (1 - L*h/T0)^(g*M/(R*L))
The barometric formula models pressure decrease with altitude. P0 is sea-level pressure (101,325 Pa), L is the lapse rate (0.0065 K/m), h is altitude, T0 is temperature in Kelvin, g is gravity (9.80665 m/s2), M is molar mass of air (0.0289644 kg/mol), and R is the gas constant (8.31447 J/mol/K).
Worked Examples
Example 1: Denver, Colorado
Problem:Calculate atmospheric pressure at Denver (elevation 1,609 m) at 15 degrees C.
Solution:P = 101325 x (1 - 0.0065 x 1609 / 288.15)^5.2559\nP = 101325 x (1 - 0.03629)^5.2559\nP = 101325 x 0.8274\nP = 83,844 Pa = 838.44 hPa
Result:At 1,609 m: 83,844 Pa (0.828 atm, 24.76 inHg)
Example 2: Commercial Aircraft Cabin
Problem:Aircraft cabins are pressurized to about 6,000 feet (1,829 m). What is the cabin pressure?
Solution:Convert 6,000 ft = 1,828.8 m\nP = 101325 x (1 - 0.0065 x 1828.8 / 288.15)^5.2559\nP = 101325 x 0.8106\nP = 82,139 Pa
Result:At 6,000 ft: 82,139 Pa (0.811 atm, 11.91 psi)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does elevation affect atmospheric pressure?
Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing elevation because there is less air above you to exert downward force. The relationship follows an exponential decay described by the barometric formula. At sea level, standard pressure is 101,325 Pa (1 atm). At 1,500 meters (about 5,000 feet), pressure drops to roughly 84,600 Pa. At the summit of Mount Everest (8,849 m), pressure is only about 33,700 Pa, roughly one-third of sea level pressure.
References
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator · Editorial policy