psia vs psig
Sarah Parker
Updated on August 17, 2026
Examples of How to Calculate PSIG and PSIA. Note that PSIG is always lower than PSIA. The formulas to describe the relationship are: PSIG + 1 atm = PSIA and PSIA – 1 atm = PSIG (where atm is atmospheric pressure). It is easy to calculate PSIA or PSIG or convert between the two.
Should I use PSI or PSIG?
PSI is the force applied on a surface with one square inch of area and PSI Gauge is a measure of pressure, but a gauge measure only. PSI is mostly used in wastewater management, fuel storage, tire pressure and distribution, and so on, while PSIG is mostly used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.
Is PSIG equal to PSI?
PSIG: This is the term used for PSI in relation to atmospheric pressure. PSIG is also known as Gauge Pressure. The ambient pressure at sea level is about 14.7 PSIA, but ambient PSIG is always 0. Taking that into account, our completely empty tire’s PSIG reading would be -14.7.
Is PSI equal to PSIA?
Again, the unit for gauge pressure is PSIG, and for absolute pressure is PSIA. You convert between them by adding or subtracting atmospheric pressure. At sea level, the pressure of the atmosphere is 14.7.
What is difference between gauge pressure and absolute pressure?
The simplest way to explain the difference between the two is that absolute pressure uses absolute zero as its zero point, while gauge pressure uses atmospheric pressure as its zero point. Due to varying atmospheric pressure, gauge pressure measurement is not precise, while absolute pressure is always definite.
What does 2 PSIG mean?
Our 2 pounds-per-square-inch gauge (2 PSIG) program provides a higher-than-standard delivery pressure, helping reduce the size and cost of the natural gas piping system in new residential buildings where the distance from the meter to the first appliance is great.
How do you convert gauge pressure to absolute pressure?
Absolute Pressure = Gauge pressure + Atmospheric Pressure.
What PSI is full vacuum?
features a psi of 0, that means that the ducting in question is at 0% vacuum pressure (otherwise known as “standard atmosphere”). -14.7 psi, on the other hand, is absolute full vacuum pressure, meaning that the duct hose is as empty as can ever be possible.
Which pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure?
Standard sea-level pressure, by definition, equals 760 mm (29.92 inches) of mercury, 14.70 pounds per square inch, 1,013.25 × 103 dynes per square centimetre, 1,013.25 millibars, one standard atmosphere, or 101.325 kilopascals.
What does PSIG mean in HVAC?
Gauge Pressure — Pressure measured relative to ambient atmospheric pressure. Quantified in pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG).
Is gauge pressure always positive?
Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. Gauge pressure is positive for pressures above atmospheric pressure, and negative for pressures below it.
What is the unit PSIG?
Pounds per square in gauge, or psig, is a measure of pressure—but only a measurement of gauge pressure. This means that it is measured with respect to the atmospheric pressure. The unit to measure psig is psi.
What are bars in pressure?
The bar is a metric unit of pressure, but not part of the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as exactly equal to 100,000 Pa (100 kPa), or slightly less than the current average atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level (approximately 1.013 bar).
How do you calculate PSIG?
This is atmospheric pressure, measured in pounds per square inch. Subtract this answer from your pressure. For example, if you are converting a pressure of 50 psi, then 50 – 14.696 = 35.3. This is the pressure measured in psig.
How do you convert gauge pressure to absolute pressure?
Absolute Pressure = Gauge pressure + Atmospheric Pressure.
What is the formula for absolute pressure?
The total pressure, or absolute pressure, is thus the sum of gauge pressure and atmospheric pressure_Pabs=Pg+Patm P abs = P g + P atm wherePabs is absolute pressure,Pg is gauge pressure, andPatm is atmospheric pressure.