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Energy Converter

The Energy Converter works between joules, kilojoules, calories, kilocalories, watt-hours, kilowatt-hours, BTU and foot-pounds — useful for nutrition, electricity bills, heating and physics. Convert between any two units in real time.

What this means

Energy comes in many units depending on the field — joules in physics, calories in food, kilowatt-hours on electricity bills and BTU in heating. The converter applies the exact definitional ratio between any two of them.

How we calculate it

Formula

Result = Value × (factor of source unit) ÷ (factor of target unit), where 1 calorie = 4.184 J and 1 Wh = 3,600 J.

Worked example

How many kilowatt-hours is 3,600,000 joules?

  1. 11 kWh = 3,600,000 J
  2. 2Factor = 3,600,000 ÷ 3,600,000 = 1
  3. 33,600,000 J = 1 kWh

Important assumptions

  • 1 calorie (small cal) = 4.184 J. The food 'Calorie' with a capital C is a kilocalorie (1,000 cal = 4,184 J).

Frequently asked questions

Is a food Calorie the same as a calorie?

A food Calorie (kcal) is 1,000 small calories. 1 Calorie = 4,184 joules.

How many kWh does a typical home use?

A typical US home uses roughly 900–1,100 kWh per month, but this varies widely by size, climate and appliances.

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