Pressure Force Area Calculator
Enter two values to find pressure, force or effective area.
Results
Force
This is a general pressure–force relationship. Use the effective loaded area and the relevant pressure difference. Friction, opposing pressure, uneven contact and dynamic effects require separate consideration.
Formula · How it works
Formula
F = p × Ap = F / AA = F / pF = pA, p = F/A and A = F/p. Canonical calculation uses Pa, N and m². One MPa equals one N/mm², one ksi equals 1,000 psi, and one kip equals 1,000 lbf. kgf is a force unit, not a mass in kg.
Worked example
A pressure of 10 MPa (100 bar or 10 N/mm²) acting on 1,000 mm² (10 cm²) produces 10,000 N = 10 kN, approximately 1,019.72 kgf or 2,248.09 lbf. Reversing the inputs returns 10 MPa or 1,000 mm².
How it works
Uniform pressure acting over an effective area produces a normal force. Dividing force by area gives average pressure, while dividing force by pressure gives the effective area needed to produce that force.
Common questions
Is 1 MPa the same as 1 N/mm²?
Yes. One MPa is 1,000,000 Pa, and one square millimeter is 0.000001 m², so both units express the same pressure.
How does this differ from the cylinder force calculator?
This tool accepts the effective area directly. The cylinder force calculator derives piston and annular areas from bore and rod diameters, then calculates extension and retraction forces.