Convert Pounds per Square Foot to Centimeters of Water
Convert Pounds per Square Foot (lbf/ft²) to Centimeters of Water (cmH₂O) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
cmH₂O = lbf/ft² × 0.4882427636
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.
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
| Pounds per Square Foot (lbf/ft²) | Centimeters of Water (cmH₂O) |
|---|---|
| 1 lbf/ft² | 0.488243 cmH₂O |
| 2 lbf/ft² | 0.976486 cmH₂O |
| 5 lbf/ft² | 2.44121 cmH₂O |
| 10 lbf/ft² | 4.88243 cmH₂O |
| 25 lbf/ft² | 12.2061 cmH₂O |
| 50 lbf/ft² | 24.4121 cmH₂O |
| 100 lbf/ft² | 48.8243 cmH₂O |