Convert PSI to wind speed in mph, or mph to PSI or psf, from dynamic pressure q = ½ρv² using standard sea-level air density or your own value.
psi To Wind Speed Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the wind speed from pressure in psi.
Variables:
- WS is the wind speed in miles per hour (mph)
- q is airflow dynamic pressure in pounds-force per square inch (psi), with reference air density 1.225 kg/m³
At the stated density, multiply237.3341 by the square root of dynamic pressure in psi to obtain mph. For another density, use v = √(2q/ρ) with q inPa andρ inkg/m³.
| Dynamic pressure (psi) | Wind Speed (mph) | km/h | m/s | knots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.005 | 16.8 | 27.0 | 7.5 | 14.6 |
| 0.010 | 23.7 | 38.2 | 10.6 | 20.6 |
| 0.020 | 33.6 | 54.0 | 15.0 | 29.2 |
| 0.030 | 41.1 | 66.2 | 18.4 | 35.7 |
| 0.050 | 53.1 | 85.4 | 23.7 | 46.1 |
| 0.075 | 65.0 | 104.6 | 29.1 | 56.5 |
| 0.100 | 75.1 | 120.8 | 33.6 | 65.2 |
| 0.150 | 91.9 | 147.9 | 41.1 | 79.9 |
| 0.200 | 106.1 | 170.8 | 47.4 | 92.2 |
| 0.250 | 118.7 | 191.0 | 53.0 | 103.1 |
| 0.300 | 130.0 | 209.2 | 58.1 | 113.0 |
| 0.400 | 150.1 | 241.6 | 67.1 | 130.4 |
| 0.500 | 167.8 | 270.1 | 75.0 | 145.8 |
| 0.600 | 183.8 | 295.9 | 82.2 | 159.8 |
| 0.750 | 205.5 | 330.8 | 91.9 | 178.6 |
| 1.000 | 237.3 | 382.0 | 106.1 | 206.2 |
| 1.250 | 265.3 | 427.0 | 118.6 | 230.6 |
| 1.500 | 290.7 | 467.8 | 129.9 | 252.6 |
| 1.750 | 314.0 | 505.3 | 140.4 | 272.8 |
| 2.000 | 335.6 | 540.2 | 150.0 | 291.7 |
| * Speeds rounded to1 decimal. Dynamic pressure q = ½ρv² withρ = 1.225 kg/m³; V(mph) ≈237.3341√q(psi). The rounded engineering coefficient0.00256psf per mph² gives a slightly different approximation. These are dynamic-pressure equivalents, not a compressible Pitot or structural-load conversion. | ||||
What is psi To Wind Speed?
Airflow dynamic pressure q = ½ρv² relates local air density and speed. Static atmospheric pressure alone cannot determine speed. Measured surface pressure also depends on geometry and pressure coefficients. Pitot total-minus-static pressure equals q only in the incompressible approximation; compressible measurements need the appropriate pressure relation. This calculator does not forecast weather or establish safe structural or aviation operating limits.
How to Calculate psi To Wind Speed?
The following steps outline how to calculate the wind speed from pressure in psi.
- First, establish the airflow dynamic pressure q using an appropriate measurement model, and express it in psi.
- Next, determine the local air density, or explicitly use the ISA sea-level reference1.225 kg/m³. Do not subtract a fixed atmospheric pressure from q.
- Finally, calculate v = √(2q/ρ) in coherentSI units, or at the reference density use237.3341√q(psi) mph.
- After inserting the values 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.
Dynamic pressure q = 0.1 psi; air densityρ = 1.225 kg/m³
Wind speed ≈237.3341 × √0.1 = 75.05 mph (33.551 m/s).
