Convert Centimeters of Water to Pounds per Square Foot
Convert Centimeters of Water (cmH₂O) to Pounds per Square Foot (lbf/ft²) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
lbf/ft² = cmH₂O × 2.048161436
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 Pounds per Square Foot
One pound per square foot (psf) ≈ 47.88 Pa - the standard structural engineering load unit in US practice. Building codes specify design loads in psf: residential floors 40 psf; office buildings 50-80 psf; assembly areas 100+ psf; snow loads can exceed 100 psf. Wind pressure on building facades, soil bearing capacity for shallow foundations, and lateral earth pressure in retaining walls are all in psf. The related unit ksf (1,000 psf = 47.88 kPa) covers higher-capacity soils and deep foundations. 1 psf = 47.88 Pa.
Quick Reference Table
| Centimeters of Water (cmH₂O) | Pounds per Square Foot (lbf/ft²) |
|---|---|
| 1 cmH₂O | 2.04816 lbf/ft² |
| 2 cmH₂O | 4.09632 lbf/ft² |
| 5 cmH₂O | 10.2408 lbf/ft² |
| 10 cmH₂O | 20.4816 lbf/ft² |
| 25 cmH₂O | 51.204 lbf/ft² |
| 50 cmH₂O | 102.408 lbf/ft² |
| 100 cmH₂O | 204.816 lbf/ft² |