Convert Centimeters of Water to Bars
Convert Centimeters of Water (cmH₂O) to Bars (bar) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
bar = cmH₂O × 0.000980665
About Centimeters of Water
One centimetre of water column (cmH₂O) ≈ 98.07 Pa - the clinical pressure unit for respiratory and intravascular measurements. Mechanical ventilator settings are in cmH₂O: peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) 15-30 cmH₂O; PEEP 5-15 cmH₂O; plateau pressure should stay below 30 cmH₂O to avoid lung injury. Lumbar puncture CSF opening pressure is normally 8-20 cmH₂O. CPAP/BiPAP therapy for sleep apnea: 4-20 cmH₂O. Central venous pressure is also reported in cmH₂O. 1 cmH₂O = 98.0665 Pa.
About Bars
A bar = exactly 100,000 Pa ≈ 0.987 atm - the world standard for industrial pressure outside North America. Hydraulic systems, pneumatic equipment, gas cylinders, dive computers, and tyre gauges in Europe and Asia use bar. Scuba diving: +1 bar per 10 m depth; at 40 m recreational limit = 5 bar absolute. European tyre pressure labels show bar alongside kPa. Industrial processes: steam at 10-50 bar; high-pressure reactors 100-300 bar; water-jet cutting 1,000-4,000 bar. 1 bar = 100,000 Pa = 14.504 psi.
Quick Reference Table
| Centimeters of Water (cmH₂O) | Bars (bar) |
|---|---|
| 1 cmH₂O | 0.000980665 bar |
| 2 cmH₂O | 0.00196133 bar |
| 5 cmH₂O | 0.00490333 bar |
| 10 cmH₂O | 0.00980665 bar |
| 25 cmH₂O | 0.0245166 bar |
| 50 cmH₂O | 0.0490333 bar |
| 100 cmH₂O | 0.0980665 bar |