Enter a pressure and a volume (or a PV value in L·atm) into the calculator below. The calculator converts the pressure–volume product to energy in joules (and other units).

Pressure–Volume (L·atm) to Joules Calculator

Use the tabs: for Pressure × Volume and psi·ft³, fill in any two fields to calculate the third. For L·atm ↔ Energy, fill in one field to calculate the other.

Pressure × Volume L·atm ↔ Energy psi·ft³ ↔ Energy

Joules from L·atm (Pressure–Volume) Formula

The following example problem outlines the steps and information needed to calculate joules from a pressure–volume value. Note: atm is a unit of pressure, so you need a volume (or an L·atm value) to convert to energy.

J = (L\cdot atm)\times 101.325

Variables:

  • J is the energy (joules, J)
  • L·atm is the pressure–volume product in liter-atmospheres (atm·L)

To convert liter-atmospheres (L·atm) to joules, multiply by 101.325. If you have pressure in atmospheres and volume in liters, first compute L·atm = P(atm) × V(L).

L·atm to Joules Conversion Table (1 L·atm = 101.325 J)
L·atm Joules (J)
1/166.333
⅛12.666
1/616.888
¼25.331
⅓33.775
⅜37.997
½50.663
⅝63.328
⅔67.550
¾75.994
⅞88.659
1101.325
1¼126.656
1⅓135.100
1½151.988
1¾177.319
2202.650
2½253.313
3303.975
4405.300
* Rounded to 3 decimals. Exact factor: 1 L·atm = 101.325 J (since 1 atm = 101.325 kPa).

How to Calculate Joules from L·atm?

The following steps outline how to calculate joules from L·atm.

  1. First, determine the pressure–volume product in L·atm (if needed, compute L·atm = P(atm) × V(L)).
  2. Next, use the formula from above: J = (L·atm) × 101.325.
  3. Finally, calculate the energy in joules.
  4. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Total PV = 30 L·atm

J = (L·atm) × 101.325 = 30 × 101.325 = 3039.75 J