Convert Decibars to Gigapascals (dbar to GPa)

Formula

GPa = dbar ÷ 100000

Derivation from SI units:

• 1 dbar = 10⁻¹ bar = 10⁴ Pa
• 1 GPa = 10⁹ Pa = 1000 MPa = 1 kN/mm²
• 1 dbar = 10000 Pa ÷ 1000000000 Pa per GPa = 0.00001 GPa

Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Decibar definition: decibar; Gigapascal definition: gigapascal.

Worked examples

1. A reading of 50 dbar converts to 0.0005 GPa.
   50 dbar × 0.00001 = 0.0005 GPa
2. A value of 1000 dbar is 0.01 GPa.
   1000 dbar × 0.00001 = 0.01 GPa

Where it's used

Decibars are used for oceanography: CTD instruments report sea pressure in dbar, while gigapascals appear in young's modulus and shear modulus of metals, ceramics and composites. Both measure pressure, stress and differential pressure (force per unit area), so the conversion is a fixed factor.

Decibar 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, "bar", with SI prefix deci (10⁻¹).
• The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures , Table 7, SI prefixes.

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