PSI to Tons Converter
Presses and jacks are rated in tons. Multiply psi by the area, then divide by 2,000.
Quick answer: Multiply psi by the area in square inches, then divide by 2,000. The answer is the force in short tons. For example, 100 psi on 10 in² is 0.5 short tons, 3,000 psi on 20 in² is 30 short tons and 2,000 psi on 100 in² is 100 short tons.
The psi to tons formula
Force is pressure times area (Wikipedia: Pressure). That gives pounds-force.
A short ton is 2,000 pounds (Wikipedia: Short ton), so divide by 2,000.
Take 100 psi on 10 in². 100 × 10 ÷ 2000 gives 0.5 short tons.
Take 3,000 psi on 20 in². 3,000 × 20 ÷ 2000 gives 30 short tons.
Pressure and area to tons
A press makes a push equal to its pressure times the piston area (Wikipedia: Pressure).
That push is first in pounds-force.
Divide by 2,000 to get short tons (Wikipedia: Short ton).
How to convert psi to tons step by step
- Write down the pressure in psi.
- Multiply it by the area in square inches. That gives pounds-force.
- Divide by 2,000.
- The answer is the force in short tons.
Example 1: 100 psi on 10 in²
- Start with 100 psi on 10 in².
- 100 × 10 ÷ 2000 = 0.5.
- The force is 0.5 short tons.
100 psi on 10 in² = 0.5 short tons
Example 2: 3,000 psi on 20 in²
- Start with 3,000 psi on 20 in².
- 3,000 × 20 ÷ 2000 = 30.
- The force is 30 short tons.
3,000 psi on 20 in² = 30 short tons
Example 3: 2,000 psi on 100 in²
- Start with 2,000 psi on 100 in².
- 2,000 × 100 ÷ 2000 = 100.
- The force is 100 short tons.
2,000 psi on 100 in² = 100 short tons
A short ton is 2,000 lb, or about 907.18 kg. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg, about 2,204.62 lb (Wikipedia: Short ton).
psi to tons conversion table
| Pressure and area | Force (short tons) | Force (tonnes-force) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 psi on 10 in² | 0.05 short tons | 0.0454 tonnes-force |
| 100 psi on 10 in² | 0.5 short tons | 0.4536 tonnes-force |
| 100 psi on 20 in² | 1 short tons | 0.9072 tonnes-force |
| 500 psi on 10 in² | 2.5 short tons | 2.268 tonnes-force |
| 1,000 psi on 10 in² | 5 short tons | 4.536 tonnes-force |
| 2,000 psi on 100 in² | 100 short tons | 90.718 tonnes-force |
| 3,000 psi on 20 in² | 30 short tons | 27.216 tonnes-force |
| 5,000 psi on 10 in² | 25 short tons | 22.68 tonnes-force |
The highlighted row is the default of the calculator. The last column gives tonnes-force.
A quick mental shortcut for psi to tons
Multiply psi by area to get pounds. Then divide by 2,000.
So 100 psi on 10 in² is 1,000 lbf, which is 0.5 tons.
What ton measures
A short ton is 2,000 pounds, about 907.18 kg (Wikipedia: Short ton). A metric tonne is 1,000 kg.
Press and jack ratings often use tons.
What psi measures
A psi is one pound-force pressing on one square inch (Wikipedia: Pound per square inch).
US tyre gauges, tanks and hoses use it.
A hydraulic press
A press with 3,000 psi on 20 in² gives 60,000 lbf, which is 30 short tons.
In tonnes-force that is 27.22.
A shop jack
A jack with 2,000 psi on 5 in² gives 10,000 lbf, which is 5 short tons.
In tonnes-force that is 4.536.
A big press
A press with 2,000 psi on 100 in² gives 200,000 lbf, which is 100 short tons.
In tonnes-force that is 90.72.
Short ton, tonne and long ton
A short ton is 2,000 lb. A metric tonne is about 2,204.62 lb. A long ton is 2,240 lb (Wikipedia: Short ton).
This page gives short tons and metric tonnes-force.
Why divide by 2,000
Psi times square inches gives pounds-force.
A short ton is 2,000 pounds, so divide by 2,000.
Going the other way
To go back, multiply the tons by 2,000, then divide by the area. The answer is the pressure in psi.
So 0.5 tons on 10 in² is 100 psi.
Check your answer
Your tons should be the psi times the area, over 2,000.
Reverse the steps and you should get your first number.
Quick conversion answers
| Conversion | Result |
|---|---|
| 10 psi on 10 in² | 0.05 short tons |
| 100 psi on 10 in² | 0.5 short tons |
| 500 psi on 10 in² | 2.5 short tons |
| 1,000 psi on 10 in² | 5 short tons |
| 3,000 psi on 20 in² | 30 short tons |
| 2,000 psi on 100 in² | 100 short tons |
Where this conversion is used
Tire and air tool gauges in the US read psi.
Cargo, tanks and cooling units are sized in tons.
Shop staff size presses and jacks.
Engineers check cylinder forces.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing ton types. A short ton is 2,000 lb. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg.
- Using the wrong area. This sum needs square inches.
- Using the diameter as the area. A round piston needs 0.7854 times the diameter squared.
- Forgetting the area. Pressure times area gives force, so 100 psi on 20 in² is 2,000 lbf, which is 1 ton.
Related converters
A small press
A press with 500 psi on 10 in² gives 5,000 lbf, which is 2.5 short tons.
In tonnes-force that is 2.268.
A light clamp
A clamp with 100 psi on 20 in² gives 2,000 lbf, which is 1 short ton.
In tonnes-force that is 0.9072.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert psi to tons?
Multiply the psi by the area in square inches. Then divide by 2,000.
How many tons is 100 psi on 10 in²?
0.5 short tons.
How many pounds is a short ton?
2,000 pounds.
How many tonnes-force is 1 short ton?
About 0.9072 tonnes-force.
Is a metric tonne the same as a short ton?
No. A tonne is about 2,204.62 lb.
How do I find the piston area?
Use 0.7854 times the diameter squared.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Pressure (en.wikipedia.org)
- Wikipedia: Short ton (en.wikipedia.org)
- Wikipedia: Pound per square inch (en.wikipedia.org)
