Metres Head to Bar Converter
Convert metres head (m head, mH2O) to bar. For water, divide metres by 10.2, or multiply by 0.0981. For other liquids, multiply by the specific gravity as well.
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How It Works
Use this converter to read a metric pump curve as a pressure, or to find the static pressure at the bottom of a tank, a riser or a building from its height. Every 10 m of water adds just under 1 bar: 0.980665 bar on the conventional basis.
The pressure under a column of liquid is P = ρ × g × h, so it scales with the liquid's specific gravity (SG). Multiply the water figure by the SG for anything else.
Formula
bar = metres of head × 0.0980665 × SG
The 0.0980665 factor is exact on the conventional water column (1,000 kg/m³, 9.80665 m/s²). Water at 20 °C (SG 0.9982) gives 0.09789 bar per metre.
Worked Example
A storage tank on a roof sits 25 m above the lowest outlet. The static pressure at that outlet, with no water flowing, is:
25 × 0.0980665 = 2.45166 bar
Metres Head to Bar Table (water, SG 1.0)
| m | bar | psi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 m | 0.0980665 bar | 1.42233 psi |
| 2 m | 0.196133 bar | 2.84467 psi |
| 5 m | 0.490333 bar | 7.11167 psi |
| 10 m | 0.980665 bar | 14.2233 psi |
| 15 m | 1.471 bar | 21.335 psi |
| 20 m | 1.96133 bar | 28.4467 psi |
| 25 m | 2.45166 bar | 35.5584 psi |
| 30 m | 2.942 bar | 42.67 psi |
| 40 m | 3.92266 bar | 56.8934 psi |
| 50 m | 4.90333 bar | 71.1167 psi |
| 75 m | 7.35499 bar | 106.675 psi |
| 100 m | 9.80665 bar | 142.233 psi |
Bar per Metre of Head by Liquid
A metre of a denser liquid presses harder than a metre of water. For a liquid not listed, take its SG from the supplier datasheet and enter it above.
| Liquid | 1 m |
|---|---|
| Water, conventional (SG 1.000) | 0.0980665 bar |
| Water at 60 °F / 15.6 °C (SG 0.9990) | 0.0979684 bar |
| Water at 20 °C / 68 °F (SG 0.9982) | 0.09789 bar |
| Water at 60 °C / 140 °F (SG 0.9832) | 0.096419 bar |
| Water at 80 °C / 176 °F (SG 0.9718) | 0.095301 bar |
| Seawater (SG 1.025) | 0.100518 bar |
SG here is relative to 1,000 kg/m³. A datasheet SG referenced to water at 60 °F differs by 0.1%, which you can ignore.
Going the other way? Use the bar to metres head converter. Working in imperial units? Use the feet of head to psi converter.
FAQ
Common questions about converting metres of head to bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert metres of head to bar?
Multiply metres by 0.0980665 for water. For example, 40 m × 0.0980665 = 3.92266 bar. For another liquid, multiply the result by its specific gravity.
How many bar is 10 metres of water?
10 m of water column is 0.980665 bar on the conventional basis, or 0.9789 bar with water at 20 °C.
What pressure is 100 m of head?
100 m of water column is 9.80665 bar, or 142.233 psi. Multiply by the specific gravity for other liquids.
Why do pump curves show head in metres rather than bar?
A centrifugal pump adds the same head to any thin liquid at a given flow and speed, so one curve in metres holds for water, brine and most glycol mixes. The pressure rise in bar depends on the liquid's density, so a curve drawn in bar would only be right for one fluid. Viscous liquids such as oils lower both head and flow, and the curve then needs a viscosity correction (ANSI/HI 9.6.7).
How do I convert metres of head to psi?
Multiply metres of head (meters in US usage) by 1.42233 for water. For example, 30 m is 42.67 psi.
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