Convert Gigapascals to Decibars (GPa to dbar)

Formula

dbar = GPa × 100000

Derivation from SI units:

• 1 GPa = 10⁹ Pa = 1000 MPa = 1 kN/mm²
• 1 dbar = 10⁻¹ bar = 10⁴ Pa
• 1 GPa = 1000000000 Pa ÷ 10000 Pa per dbar = 100000 dbar

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

Worked examples

1. A reading of 10 GPa converts to 1000000 dbar.
   10 GPa × 100000 = 1000000 dbar
2. A value of 190 GPa is 19000000 dbar.
   190 GPa × 100000 = 19000000 dbar

Where it's used

Gigapascals are used for young's modulus and shear modulus of metals, ceramics and composites, 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.

Gigapascal to other pressure units

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures , Table 7, SI prefixes.
• 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.