Inches of mercury to Millibar Conversion

The “inch of mercury” (inHg) is a unit of pressure commonly used in aviation, meteorology, and refrigeration. It originates from the barometric pressure measurement practice using a column of mercury. This unit became a staple due to its early adoption in weather forecasting and its accurate and consistent measurements. An interesting fact is that an inch of mercury is approximately equal to 33.86 millibars or 3386 Pascals, but what truly distinguishes it is its historical significance in the development of modern atmospheric science.

In the 17th century, Evangelista Torricelli, a student of Galileo, first discovered that atmospheric pressure could sustain a column of mercury, laying the groundwork for this unit. His invention, the barometer, revolutionized how we understand and predict weather, marking the inch of mercury as more than just a unit—it’s a nod to the evolution of scientific inquiry and practice.