Pascal to Torr Converter
Our free force pressure & torque converter handles pascal torr conversions. See tables, ratios, and examples for quick reference.
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator
Formula
Torr = Pascals / 133.322
Divide pascals by 133.322 to get torr. This factor comes from the definition: 1 atm = 760 torr = 101,325 Pa, so 1 torr = 101,325/760 = 133.322 Pa. To convert torr to pascals, multiply by 133.322. Torr and mmHg differ by only 0.0014%.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Converting Atmospheric Pressure
Problem:Standard atmospheric pressure is 101,325 Pa. What is this in torr?
Solution:Torr = Pa / 133.322\nTorr = 101325 / 133.322 = 760.0002 Torr\natm = 101325 / 101325 = 1.0000 atm\nmbar = 101325 / 100 = 1013.25 mbar
Result:101,325 Pa = 760.0 Torr = 1 atm
Example 2: Converting Vacuum Chamber Pressure
Problem:A vacuum chamber operates at 0.5 Torr. What is this in pascals?
Solution:Pa = Torr x 133.322\nPa = 0.5 x 133.322 = 66.6610 Pa\natm = 66.661 / 101325 = 0.000658 atm\nmbar = 66.661 / 100 = 0.6666 mbar
Result:0.5 Torr = 66.6610 Pa = 0.6666 mbar
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relationship between pascals and torr?
One torr equals exactly 133.32236842 pascals, based on the definition that one standard atmosphere (101,325 Pa) equals exactly 760 torr. Therefore, 101,325 divided by 760 gives the conversion factor. The torr is named after Evangelista Torricelli, who invented the mercury barometer in 1644. While the pascal is the SI unit of pressure, the torr remains widely used in vacuum science, blood pressure measurement, and certain industrial processes due to its convenient scale for those applications.
What is the difference between torr and mmHg?
The torr and millimeter of mercury (mmHg) are nearly identical but not exactly the same. One torr is defined as exactly 1/760 of a standard atmosphere, while one mmHg is the pressure exerted by a 1 mm column of mercury at 0 degrees Celsius under standard gravity. The difference is approximately 0.0014 percent (1 torr = 1.000014 mmHg), which is negligible for most applications. In medical contexts, blood pressure is typically reported in mmHg, while vacuum technology tends to use torr.
Where are torr measurements commonly used?
Torr is predominantly used in vacuum technology and science. Low vacuum systems (rough vacuum) operate at 1-760 torr, medium vacuum at 0.001-1 torr, high vacuum at 0.000001-0.001 torr, and ultra-high vacuum below 0.000001 torr. Semiconductor manufacturing, thin film deposition, and mass spectrometry all specify chamber pressures in torr. Blood pressure is measured in mmHg (essentially torr), and some weather reporting still uses torr or mmHg for barometric pressure alongside hectopascals.
How does the pascal relate to other SI pressure units?
The pascal (Pa) is the base SI unit of pressure, equal to one newton per square meter. Common multiples include the kilopascal (1 kPa = 1,000 Pa), the hectopascal (1 hPa = 100 Pa, used in meteorology), the megapascal (1 MPa = 1,000,000 Pa, used for material strength), and the bar (1 bar = 100,000 Pa). Standard atmospheric pressure is 101,325 Pa or 101.325 kPa. The pascal is a relatively small unit, which is why kilopascals and hectopascals are more commonly used in everyday applications.
References
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator · Editorial policy