Science, Tech, Math › Social Sciences What Is PSI? Share Flipboard Email Print Ian Lishman / Getty Images Social Sciences Environment Alternative Fuels Climate Change and Global Warming Green Living Environment Health Pollution Psychology Sociology Archaeology Economics Ergonomics Maritime By Christine & Scott Gable Automotive Experts B.S.E, Art Education, Millersville University Christine and Scott Gable are hybrid auto and alternative fuel experts who brewed biodiesel and traveled 125,000 miles on waste vegetable oil. our editorial process Christine & Scott Gable Updated May 09, 2019 The acronym PSI stands for "Pounds per Square Inch," and is the common unit of measurement for pressure. It can be understood as the amount of force that is exerted on an area of one square inch. Normal atmospheric pressure at sea level is 14.7 PSI. Pronunciation: Pronounce each letter individually: P - S - I. Example: Normal tire pressure is usually about 32 PSI.