Stress Converter
Convert stress units (force per area), the same dimension as pressure. Exact factors, a quick reference table and worked examples.
250 MPa = 36 259.43 psi
The same value in every unit
| Unit | Symbol | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal | Pa | 250 000 000 |
| Kilopascal | kPa | 250 000 |
| Megapascal (N/mm²) | MPa | 250 |
| Gigapascal | GPa | 0.25 |
| Pound per square inch | psi | 36 259.43 |
| Kip per square inch | ksi | 36.25943 |
| Kilogram-force per mm² | kgf/mm² | 25.49291 |
| Kilogram-force per cm² | kgf/cm² | 2 549.291 |
How to convert stress units
Every stress unit is related to one base unit (Pascal, Pa) by an exact factor. To convert, multiply by the factor of the unit you start from and divide by the factor of the unit you want.
value in new unit = value × (factor of old unit ÷ factor of new unit)
For example, 1 MPa = 1 000 000 Pa and 1 psi = 6 894.757 Pa, so 1 MPa = 145.0377 psi.
Quick reference table
How many of the units in the column headings make up one of the unit in each row.
| One… | = Pa | = kPa | = MPa | = GPa | = psi | = ksi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pa | 1 | 0.001 | 1 × 10⁻⁶ | 1 × 10⁻⁹ | 0.0001450377 | 1.45038 × 10⁻⁷ |
| 1 kPa | 1 000 | 1 | 0.001 | 1 × 10⁻⁶ | 0.1450377 | 0.0001450377 |
| 1 MPa | 1 000 000 | 1 000 | 1 | 0.001 | 145.0377 | 0.1450377 |
| 1 GPa | 1 × 10⁹ | 1 000 000 | 1 000 | 1 | 145 037.7 | 145.0377 |
| 1 psi | 6 894.757 | 6.894757 | 0.006894757 | 6.89476 × 10⁻⁶ | 1 | 0.001 |
| 1 ksi | 6 894 757 | 6 894.757 | 6.894757 | 0.006894757 | 1 000 | 1 |
| 1 kgf/mm² | 9 806 650 | 9 806.65 | 9.80665 | 0.00980665 | 1 422.334 | 1.422334 |
| 1 kgf/cm² | 98 066.5 | 98.0665 | 0.0980665 | 9.80665 × 10⁻⁵ | 14.22334 | 0.01422334 |
Common values: MPa to psi
| Megapascal (N/mm²) (MPa) | Pound per square inch (psi) |
|---|---|
| 1 MPa | 145.0377 psi |
| 2 MPa | 290.0755 psi |
| 5 MPa | 725.1887 psi |
| 10 MPa | 1 450.377 psi |
| 20 MPa | 2 900.755 psi |
| 50 MPa | 7 251.887 psi |
| 100 MPa | 14 503.77 psi |
| 200 MPa | 29 007.55 psi |
| 500 MPa | 72 518.87 psi |
| 1 000 MPa | 145 037.7 psi |
Worked examples
Convert 250 MPa to psi
- 1 MPa = 1 000 000 Pa and 1 psi = 6 894.757 Pa.
- 250 × 1 000 000 ÷ 6 894.757 = 36 259.43 psi.
Convert 50 MPa to Pa
- 1 MPa = 1 000 000 Pa and 1 Pa = 1 Pa.
- 50 × 1 000 000 ÷ 1 = 50 000 000 Pa.
Convert 250 kgf/cm² to kPa
- 1 kgf/cm² = 98 066.5 Pa and 1 kPa = 1 000 Pa.
- 250 × 98 066.5 ÷ 1 000 = 24 516.63 kPa.
The units explained
| Unit | Symbol | Exact factor | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal | Pa | 1 Pa = 1 Pa | SI unit; rarely used for metals |
| Kilopascal | kPa | 1 kPa = 1 000 Pa | Soils, low stresses |
| Megapascal (N/mm²) | MPa | 1 MPa = 1 000 000 Pa | Metals and structures |
| Gigapascal | GPa | 1 GPa = 1 × 10⁹ Pa | Stiffness (Young’s modulus) |
| Pound per square inch | psi | 1 psi = 6 894.757 Pa | US stresses and pressures |
| Kip per square inch | ksi | 1 ksi = 6 894 757 Pa | US structural steel |
| Kilogram-force per mm² | kgf/mm² | 1 kgf/mm² = 9 806 650 Pa | Older metal strength specifications |
| Kilogram-force per cm² | kgf/cm² | 1 kgf/cm² = 98 066.5 Pa | Older concrete and soil specifications |
Key facts
- σ = F ÷ A. 1 MPa = 1 N/mm² = 145.04 psi. 1 ksi = 6.895 MPa.
- Factor of safety = material strength ÷ working stress. Choose it for the consequences of failure.
- Yield and tensile strength are both stresses and use the same units.
Related converters, guides and tools
- Other converters: Pressure converter, Density converter, Temperature converter, Angles converter, Flow Rate converter, Time converter, Strain converter, Velocity converter, Volume converter, Length converter, Mass converter, Force converter, Torque converter, Power converter, Energy converter.
- Guides: Beams.
- Unit Conversions: every converter on one tabbed page that remembers the tabs you use.
- My Dashboard (members): put this converter on your own workspace as a widget beside the others.
FAQ
How many Pound per square inch units are in one Megapascal (N/mm²)?
1 MPa = 145.0377 psi.
How do I convert MPa to psi?
Multiply by 145.0377 (the factor 1 000 000 ÷ 6 894.757). To go back, divide by 145.0377 or multiply by 0.006894757.
What is the pascal (Pa) used for?
SI unit; rarely used for metals.
What is the kilopascal (kPa) used for?
Soils, low stresses.
Are the conversion factors exact?
Where a unit is defined exactly (the inch is 25.4 mm, the pound is 0.45359237 kg, standard gravity is 9.80665 m/s²) the factor is exact; others are given to ten or more digits. Results are shown to seven significant digits.
References
- NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), and NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C (general tables of units of measurement).
- BIPM, The International System of Units (SI Brochure), 9th edition; ISO 80000 (quantities and units).
Last reviewed: November 2026.