What is a Atmosphere?

The atmosphere equals exactly 101,325 pascals (the average atmospheric pressure at sea level, latitude 45°) and is a reference unit in chemistry, diving, and engineering. Defined for scientific convenience to represent 'standard atmospheric pressure,' it is widely used in chemistry (gas laws, reaction conditions), aviation (cabin pressure relative to ambient), and scuba diving (depth pressure: every 10 m of seawater adds about 1 atm). Standard reference conditions in chemistry often specify 1 atm and 25°C. The atmosphere relates to the pascal (101,325 Pa = 1 atm), the kilopascal (101.325 kPa = 1 atm), the bar (1.01325 bar = 1 atm), the psi (14.696 psi = 1 atm), the torr (760 torr = 1 atm), and the meter of seawater (10.33 mH₂O = 1 atm). The 'technical atmosphere' (1 at = 98.066 kPa = 1 kgf/cm²) is a slightly different historical unit no longer in use.

Visual reference for how the atmosphere relates to other pressure units. Each row links to the full converter for that pair.

• Chemistry standard conditions
• Aviation cockpit pressurisation references
• Pressure tank and vessel ratings

• ✓1 atm = 101,325 Pa = 1.01325 bar = 14.696 psi.
• ✓Note: atm ≠ bar. Close but not identical.
• ✓Modern SI prefers pascals; atm is a legacy reference.

• ✗Using 1 atm = 1 bar exactly — off by 1.3%.
• ✗Confusing standard atm with technical atmosphere (98,066.5 Pa) or atmosphere-absolute in diving.
• ✗Applying 1 atm outside sea level without correction.