Convert Millibars to Centimeters of Water
Convert Millibars (mbar) to Centimeters of Water (cmH₂O) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
cmH₂O = mbar × 1.019716213
About Millibars
A millibar (mbar) = 100 Pa = 1 hPa - the historically dominant meteorological pressure unit. Standard sea-level pressure is 1013.25 mbar. Hurricane intensity is characterised by central pressure: Category 5 storms typically below 920 mbar (US record: 892 mbar, 1935). Upper-air analysis levels - 850, 700, 500, 300, 200 mbar - appear throughout decades of archived meteorological data. Aircraft cabins are pressurised to ~750-800 mbar at cruise altitude. 'Weather bombs' see pressure fall 24+ mbar in 24 hours. 1 mbar = 100 Pa.
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.
Quick Reference Table
| Millibars (mbar) | Centimeters of Water (cmH₂O) |
|---|---|
| 1 mbar | 1.01972 cmH₂O |
| 2 mbar | 2.03943 cmH₂O |
| 5 mbar | 5.09858 cmH₂O |
| 10 mbar | 10.1972 cmH₂O |
| 25 mbar | 25.4929 cmH₂O |
| 50 mbar | 50.9858 cmH₂O |
| 100 mbar | 101.972 cmH₂O |