Kips per square inch.
KSI to PSI Converter — ksi to psi
Convert KSI (ksi) to PSI (psi) using the exact conversion factor (1 ksi = 1,000 psi). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
KSI to PSI converter
Converter
Engineering Converter
Convert common stress, force, torque, power, and energy units used in engineering.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Pounds per square inch.
Result = input x 6.89475729e+6 / 6894.757293.
Stress Pressure units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting KSI to PSI
KSI and PSI both measure a quantity used in structural or mechanical engineering — commonly stress, pressure, force, torque, power, or energy — where converting between the unit conventions used in different regions, industries, or equipment specifications is a routine part of design work. Specifically: Kips per square inch, and pounds per square inch.
Formula
psi = ksi × 1000
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 ksi equals 6894757.29317 base units, and 1 psi equals 6894.75729317 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct ksi-to-psi factor of 1000.
Simple example
1 ksi × 1000 = 1,000 psi
1 ksi = 1,000 psi.
Real-world example
100 ksi × 1000 = 100,000 psi
100 ksi = 100,000 psi.
Conversion table
| KSI (ksi) | PSI (psi) |
|---|---|
| 1 ksi | 1,000 psi |
| 10 ksi | 10,000 psi |
| 50 ksi | 50,000 psi |
| 100 ksi | 100,000 psi |
| 500 ksi | 500,000 psi |
| 1,000 ksi | 1,000,000 psi |
Reverse conversion: PSI to KSI
1 psi × 0.001 = 0.001 ksi
1 psi = 0.001 ksi.
ksi = psi × 0.001
For a page dedicated to this direction, see PSI to KSI.
Understanding the KSI (ksi)
Kips per square inch.
Understanding the PSI
PSI (psi) measures pressure. PSI (pounds-force per square inch) equals exactly 6,894.757293168 pascals. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (standard pressure unit for tires, tools, and plumbing)
Uses of the PSI today
- Tire pressure specifications in the US
- Hydraulic and pneumatic system ratings
- Plumbing, compressed-air tools, and industrial equipment ratings
History of the PSI
PSI is a derived unit from the pound-force and the inch, both themselves standardized through English and later international agreements rather than invented as a pressure unit from scratch.
It became the default pressure unit in US engineering as pound-force and inch-based measurement dominated American industry through the 19th and 20th centuries, and it remains in everyday use for tires and tools even as most other measurements in the US context stay imperial.
Historical origin. PSI was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
PSI — sources
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — Documents conversion factors for psi and other US customary pressure units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many psi are in 1 ksi?
1 ksi equals 1,000 psi, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert ksi to psi?
Multiply the ksi value by 1000. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert psi back to ksi?
Use the reverse factor: 1 psi equals 0.001 ksi. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a ksi?
KSI (ksi) is a unit of engineering.
What is a psi?
PSI (psi) measures pressure. PSI (pounds-force per square inch) equals exactly 6,894.757293168 pascals. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Is the ksi to psi conversion exact?
Yes. PSI (pounds-force per square inch) equals exactly 6,894.757293168 pascals. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
Why do engineering unit conventions vary so much by region and industry?
Pressure, force, and stress can be expressed in metric (pascal, newton), US customary (psi, pound-force), or older and industry-specific units (atmosphere, torr, kip) depending on the country, industry, and even the equipment manufacturer, which is why engineers routinely need to convert between them when working across specs from different sources.