Converting Kilopascals to Joules

You may have seen the abbreviation kPa, for kilopascals, printed on the pressure gauge you use for the tires of your car. One kilopascal equals approximately 0.145 pounds per square inch (psi). Because the kilopascal is a unit of pressure, you cannot convert it directly to joules, which is a unit of energy. Think of joules as the product of a volume measurement and kilopascals, however, and you can easily make the conversion.

1. Multiply Value by 1,000

Multiply your value in kilopascals by 1,000 to convert to pascals using a calculator. For example, if your value in kilopascals is 0.037 kPa, work out:

(0.037times 1000=37)

A pascal equals 1 kg per meter seconds squared.

2. Multiply by Value in Meters Cubed

Multiply your answer by a value in meters cubed, which is a unit of volume. For example, if your value is 3 cubic meters (m3), work out:

(37times 3 = 111)

3. Use Correct Units

Write your answer using the correct units. For example, 111 kilogram meters squared per second squared.

4. Find Answer in Joules

Note that 1 joule equals 1 kilogram meter squared per second squared. Write your answer in joules, for example, 111 joules (J).