Convert Centimeters of Water to Decibars

Formula

dbar = cmH₂O × 0.00980665

or dbar = cmH₂O ÷ 101.9716212978

Derivation from SI units:

• 1 cmH₂O = 1000 kg/m³ × 9.80665 m/s² × 0.01 m = 98.0665 Pa
• 1 dbar = 10⁻¹ bar = 10⁴ Pa
• 1 cmH₂O = 98.0665 Pa ÷ 10000 Pa per dbar = 0.00980665 dbar

Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Centimeter of Water definition: centimeter of water; Decibar definition: decibar.

Worked examples

1. A reading of 6 cmH₂O converts to 0.0588399 dbar.
   6 cmH₂O × 0.00980665 = 0.0588399 dbar
2. A value of 30 cmH₂O is 0.2941995 dbar.
   30 cmH₂O × 0.00980665 = 0.2941995 dbar

Where it's used

Centimeters of Water are used for mechanical ventilation (PEEP 5–10 cmH₂O, plateau pressure under 30 cmH₂O), while decibars appear in oceanography: CTD instruments report sea pressure in dbar. Both measure pressure, stress and differential pressure (force per unit area), so the conversion is a fixed factor.

Centimeter of Water to other pressure units

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 Edition, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Appendix B.8, "centimeter of water, conventional (cmH2O)".
• Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 Edition, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Appendix B.8, "bar", with SI prefix deci (10⁻¹).

Last reviewed: 2026-10-15. Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.