MPa to PSI Conversion: Megapascals Explained for Industrial Use
To convert MPa to PSI, multiply by 145.038. For example, 20 MPa × 145.038 = 2,900.76 PSI. To convert PSI to MPa, divide by 145.038. 1 MPa = 145.038 PSI.
What Is MPa (Megapascal)?
MPa stands for megapascal — a unit of pressure in the SI (International System of Units) equal to one million pascals (1,000,000 Pa) or 1,000 kilopascals (kPa). It is the standard pressure unit in formal engineering documentation, material science specifications, and international standards bodies including ISO and DIN.
In the context of hydraulic and fluid power systems, MPa appears most frequently on European and Asian equipment specifications, ISO-standard hose and component data sheets, and engineering calculations where SI units are required. For engineers and technicians working across both metric and U.S.-standard equipment, fluent conversion between MPa and PSI is a routine requirement.
MPa to PSI Formula
The conversion between MPa and PSI is based on the SI definition of the pascal. For a full explanation of PSI as a pressure unit, see our guide: What Is PSI? Pressure Explained for Industrial & Hydraulic Systems.
Exact factor: 1 MPa = 145.0377 PSI | 1 PSI = 0.00689476 MPa
Example: 35 MPa × 145.038 = 5,076 PSI | 3,000 PSI ÷ 145.038 = 20.68 MPa
MPa to Bar (Quick Reference)
Since both MPa and bar are metric units, the relationship between them is simple: 1 MPa = 10 bar. This means converting MPa to bar requires only shifting the decimal point, making it easy to cross-reference between the two metric systems. For a full bar-to-PSI guide, see our PSI to Bar Conversion Guide.
Example: 20 MPa × 10 = 200 bar | 250 bar ÷ 10 = 25 MPa
MPa to PSI Reference Chart
The following chart covers MPa values across the full range of hydraulic, pneumatic, and industrial pressure applications. Use this to quickly translate specifications between SI and U.S. customary units.
| MPa | PSI | Bar (equivalent) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 MPa | 14.5 PSI | 1 bar | Very low hydraulic / high pneumatic |
| 0.5 MPa | 72.5 PSI | 5 bar | Compressed air systems |
| 0.7 MPa | 101.5 PSI | 7 bar | Standard shop air (European spec) |
| 1.0 MPa | 145.0 PSI | 10 bar | Light hydraulic circuits |
| 1.6 MPa | 232.1 PSI | 16 bar | Low-pressure hydraulic return lines |
| 2.5 MPa | 362.6 PSI | 25 bar | Medium hydraulic systems |
| 4.0 MPa | 580.2 PSI | 40 bar | Industrial hydraulic circuits |
| 6.3 MPa | 913.8 PSI | 63 bar | Medium-high hydraulic pressure |
| 10 MPa | 1,450 PSI | 100 bar | High-pressure hydraulic systems |
| 16 MPa | 2,321 PSI | 160 bar | Standard mobile hydraulics (metric spec) |
| 20 MPa | 2,901 PSI | 200 bar | High-performance mobile hydraulics |
| 25 MPa | 3,626 PSI | 250 bar | High-pressure industrial hydraulics |
| 31.5 MPa | 4,569 PSI | 315 bar | Very high-pressure hydraulics |
| 35 MPa | 5,076 PSI | 350 bar | Ultra-high-pressure systems |
| 42 MPa | 6,091 PSI | 420 bar | Specialty high-pressure hose |
Conversion factor: 1 MPa = 145.038 PSI = 10 bar. Source: NIST — SI Units and Conversion Factors.
MPa vs. Bar vs. PSI — How They Relate
Three pressure units dominate hydraulic and industrial specifications worldwide. Understanding how they relate prevents specification errors when sourcing replacement components or cross-referencing international equipment documentation.
| Unit | System | Equals 1 MPa | Equals 1 PSI | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPa | SI metric | 1.000 MPa | 0.00689 MPa | ISO standards, engineering specs, Asian equipment |
| bar | Metric (non-SI) | 10 bar | 0.0689 bar | European industrial, ISO hose specs |
| PSI | U.S. customary | 145.038 PSI | 1.000 PSI | North American industrial, SAE hose specs |
| kPa | SI metric | 1,000 kPa | 6.895 kPa | Scientific documentation, low-pressure specs |
The simplest relationship to remember: 1 MPa = 10 bar = 145 PSI (approximate). For full bar conversion reference, see our PSI to Bar guide.
MPa in Hydraulic Hose & Fitting Specifications
MPa appears on hydraulic hoselay lines and product data sheets from manufacturers operating under ISO standards. A hose produced to ISO 1436 Type 2 specification might be marked:
ISO 1436-1 2SN = construction standard | DN12 = 12mm nominal bore
WP: 25 MPa = 250 bar = 3,625 PSI — all three express the same working pressure
The working pressure in MPa, bar, and PSI are equivalent values expressed in different units. Minor differences between stated values (e.g., 25 MPa = 3,625.94 PSI, often rounded to 3,626 or 3,625) are rounding conventions, not specification discrepancies.
Safety Factor in MPa-Rated Hose
ISO 1436 and related standards use the same 4:1 minimum safety factor as SAE J517. A hose rated at 25 MPa working pressure must have a minimum burst pressure of 100 MPa. This aligns with the equivalent requirement for SAE-rated hose at 3,626 PSI WP (minimum burst: 14,504 PSI). For a full explanation of working pressure and safety factors, see our guide: What Is PSI?
Common MPa Ratings by Application
The following table provides a practical reference for typical system pressures in MPa alongside their PSI equivalents, covering the most common equipment categories ARG Industrial serves.
| Application | Typical MPa | Equivalent PSI | ARG Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic tools & actuators | 0.6–1.0 MPa | 87–145 PSI | Pneumatic hose & fittings |
| Pressure washer (industrial) | 14–28 MPa | 2,030–4,061 PSI | Pressure washer hose |
| Mobile hydraulics (excavators, loaders) | 10–20 MPa | 1,450–2,901 PSI | SAE 100R2 / ISO 2SN hose |
| Industrial hydraulics | 20–35 MPa | 2,901–5,076 PSI | High-pressure hydraulic hose |
| Ultra-high-pressure systems | 35–70 MPa | 5,076–10,153 PSI | Spiral hydraulic hose |
| Offshore / oil & gas | 20–100+ MPa | 2,901–14,504+ PSI | Specialty high-pressure hose |
Always verify actual system requirements with engineering documentation. Contact Team ARG for high-pressure application support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiply the MPa value by 145.038to get PSI. Example: 25 MPa × 145.038 = 3,626 PSI. To convert PSI back to MPa, divide by 145.038.
1 MPa equals 145.038 PSI.This is the exact conversion factor based on the SI definition of the pascal. For quick estimates, 145 PSI per MPa is a reliable approximation.
MPa (megapascal) is the SI metric unit used internationally in formal engineering specs. PSI (pounds per square inch) is the U.S. customary unit. 1 MPa equals 145.038 PSI, so MPa values are much smaller numbers than their PSI equivalents for the same pressure. A 3,000 PSI hydraulic system is only 20.68 MPa.
20 MPa equals approximately 2,901 PSI(20 × 145.038). This is a common working pressure for high-performance mobile hydraulic equipment.
1 MPa equals exactly 10 bar. MPa is the formal SI unit used in engineering documentation while bar is widely used in European industrial practice. Both convert to PSI using their respective factors: 1 MPa = 145.038 PSI and 1 bar = 14.5038 PSI.
Both, depending on the standard. SAE J517 hose (North American) uses PSI. ISO 1436 and DIN 20022 hose (European/international) use MPa or bar. Many manufacturers print all three units on the hose lay line. Team ARG stocks hose to both SAE and ISO standards and can help match any specification.
35 MPa equals approximately 5,076 PSI(35 × 145.038). This falls in the ultra-high-pressure range, requiring spiral-wound hose construction and precision fittings.