What Is an Energy Converter?
An energy converter transforms values between energy units including joules, calories, kilowatt-hours, BTUs, and electron volts. It serves physics, engineering, nutrition, and energy industry professionals who work across different measurement standards.
How to Use This Energy Converter
- Enter the energy value to convert.
- Select the source unit (e.g., kilowatt-hours).
- Choose the target unit (e.g., joules) and view the result.
Key Concepts
The joule (J) is the SI unit of energy. Key conversions: 1 calorie = 4.184 joules. 1 kilocalorie (food calorie) = 4,184 joules. 1 kilowatt-hour = 3,600,000 joules. 1 BTU = 1,055.06 joules. 1 electron volt = 1.602 × 10−19 joules. Energy can be expressed as work (force × distance) or heat.
Result = Value × (From Factor ÷ To Factor)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a calorie and a kilocalorie?
In physics, 1 calorie heats 1 gram of water by 1°C. Food “Calories” (capital C) are actually kilocalories (1,000 physics calories). A 2,000 Calorie diet equals 2,000,000 physics calories.
Why are electricity bills in kilowatt-hours?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) represents using 1,000 watts for one hour. It conveniently measures household energy consumption over time, making billing straightforward.
What is a BTU?
A British Thermal Unit is the energy needed to raise 1 pound of water by 1°F. It is commonly used for heating and air conditioning system ratings in the US.