Energy is an important part of science, engineering, electricity, food, machines, and everyday life.
Energy Converter
Convert energy quickly and easily.
An Energy Converter helps you change an energy value from one unit to another. You can convert joules to kilojoules, kilowatt-hours to joules, calories to joules, electronvolts to joules, and more.
Our free online Energy Converter makes energy conversion simple. Enter a value, choose the starting unit, select the unit you need, and get your result in seconds.
You do not need to do difficult math by hand.
What Is Energy?
Energy is the ability to do work or cause a change.
Energy is used everywhere. Electricity, heat, food, batteries, machines, and moving objects all involve energy.
The standard SI unit of energy is the joule.
The symbol for joule is J.
For example:
- A battery stores chemical energy.
- Electricity provides energy to electronic devices.
- Food provides energy to the human body.
- Heat is a form of energy.
- Machines use energy to do work.
Different fields use different energy units. This is why an energy converter can be useful.
What Is an Energy Converter?
An Energy Converter is an online tool that changes an energy value from one unit to another.
For example, you can convert:
- Joules to kilojoules.
- Kilojoules to joules.
- Calories to joules.
- Kilocalories to kilojoules.
- Watt-hours to joules.
- Kilowatt-hours to joules.
- Electronvolts to joules.
- BTU to joules.
- Foot-pounds force to joules.
- Ergs to joules.
Our online Energy Converter supports 11 energy units.
Energy Units and Symbols
The following table shows the units supported by our Energy Converter.
| Energy Unit | Symbol | Value in Joules |
|---|---|---|
| Joule | J | 1 J |
| Kilojoule | kJ | 1,000 J |
| Megajoule | MJ | 1,000,000 J |
| Calorie (thermochemical) | cal | 4.184 J |
| Kilocalorie | kcal | 4,184 J |
| Watt-hour | Wh | 3,600 J |
| Kilowatt-hour | kWh | 3,600,000 J |
| Electronvolt | eV | 0.0000000000000000001602176634 J |
| British Thermal Unit (IT) | BTU | 1,055.056 J |
| Foot-pound force | ft·lbf | 1.355817948 J |
| Erg | erg | 0.0000001 J |
The joule (J) is the standard SI unit of energy.
The size of the unit depends on the prefix or measurement system.
For example:
- 1 kJ = 1,000 J
- 1 MJ = 1,000,000 J
- 1 Wh = 3,600 J
- 1 kWh = 3,600,000 J
How to Use the Energy Converter
Our free online Energy Converter is easy to use.
Follow these steps:
- Enter the energy value.
- Select the starting unit.
- Select the target unit.
- Read the converted result.
- Enter another value when you need a new conversion.
For example, enter 5 kJ, select J as the target unit.
The result is:
5 kJ = 5,000 J
The converter can be used for small and large energy values.

Energy Conversion Formula
Energy conversion depends on the relationship between the units.
A simple way to convert an energy value is to first express it in joules and then convert it to the target unit.
For example:
Energy in target units = Energy in joules ÷ joules per target unit
To convert joules to kilojoules, divide by 1,000.
To convert kilojoules to joules, multiply by 1,000.
Common Energy Conversion Formulas
| Conversion | Formula |
|---|---|
| J to kJ | J ÷ 1,000 |
| kJ to J | kJ × 1,000 |
| J to MJ | J ÷ 1,000,000 |
| MJ to J | MJ × 1,000,000 |
| cal to J | cal × 4.184 |
| J to cal | J ÷ 4.184 |
| kcal to J | kcal × 4,184 |
| J to kcal | J ÷ 4,184 |
| Wh to J | Wh × 3,600 |
| J to Wh | J ÷ 3,600 |
| kWh to J | kWh × 3,600,000 |
| J to kWh | J ÷ 3,600,000 |
| BTU to J | BTU × 1,055.056 |
| J to BTU | J ÷ 1,055.056 |
| ft·lbf to J | ft·lbf × 1.355817948 |
| J to ft·lbf | J ÷ 1.355817948 |
| erg to J | erg × 0.0000001 |
| J to erg | J × 10,000,000 |
Electronvolt conversions are normally used for very small amounts of energy.
1 eV = 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
Energy Conversion Examples
Example 1: Convert 5 Kilojoules to Joules
One kilojoule is equal to 1,000 joules.
Multiply 5 by 1,000.
5 × 1,000 = 5,000
Answer: 5 kJ = 5,000 J
Example 2: Convert 10,000 Joules to Kilojoules
One kilojoule is equal to 1,000 joules.
Divide 10,000 by 1,000.
10,000 ÷ 1,000 = 10
Answer: 10,000 J = 10 kJ
Example 3: Convert 2 Megajoules to Joules
One megajoule is equal to 1,000,000 joules.
Multiply 2 by 1,000,000.
2 × 1,000,000 = 2,000,000
Answer: 2 MJ = 2,000,000 J
Example 4: Convert 100 Calories to Joules
One thermochemical calorie is equal to 4.184 joules.
100 × 4.184 = 418.4
Answer: 100 cal = 418.4 J
Example 5: Convert 5 Kilocalories to Joules
One kilocalorie is equal to 4,184 joules.
5 × 4,184 = 20,920
Answer: 5 kcal = 20,920 J
Example 6: Convert 2 Watt-hours to Joules
One watt-hour is equal to 3,600 joules.
2 × 3,600 = 7,200
Answer: 2 Wh = 7,200 J
Example 7: Convert 3 Kilowatt-hours to Joules
One kilowatt-hour is equal to 3,600,000 joules.
3 × 3,600,000 = 10,800,000
Answer: 3 kWh = 10,800,000 J
Example 8: Convert 1 BTU to Joules
One International Table BTU is equal to 1,055.056 joules.
Answer: 1 BTU (IT) = 1,055.056 J
Example 9: Convert 10 Foot-pounds Force to Joules
One foot-pound force is approximately equal to 1.355817948 joules.
10 × 1.355817948 = 13.55817948
Answer: 10 ft·lbf ≈ 13.5582 J
Example 10: Convert 1,000,000 Ergs to Joules
One erg is equal to 0.0000001 joules.
1,000,000 × 0.0000001 = 0.1
Answer: 1,000,000 erg = 0.1 J
What Is a Joule?
A joule is the standard SI unit used to measure energy.
The symbol is J.
A joule can be used to measure many types of energy, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, and other forms of energy.
For example:
1 kJ = 1,000 J
1 MJ = 1,000,000 J
Because the joule is part of the SI system, many scientific and engineering calculations use joules as the main energy unit.
What Is a Kilowatt-hour?
A kilowatt-hour, written as kWh, is a unit of energy commonly used for electricity.
Electricity meters often show energy use in kilowatt-hours.
One kilowatt-hour is equal to:
1 kWh = 3,600,000 J
For example, if an electrical device uses 1 kilowatt of power for 1 hour, it uses 1 kilowatt-hour of energy.
It is important to remember that kW measures power, while kWh measures energy.
What Is a Calorie?
A calorie is a unit of energy.
The converter uses the thermochemical calorie.
One thermochemical calorie is equal to:
1 cal = 4.184 J
A kilocalorie is equal to 1,000 calories:
1 kcal = 4,184 J
Calories are commonly used when talking about the energy provided by food.
What Is an Electronvolt?
An electronvolt, or eV, is a very small unit of energy.
It is commonly used in physics, especially when working with particles, atoms, and very small amounts of energy.
One electronvolt is:
1 eV = 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
Because the value is extremely small, electronvolts are useful for measurements at the atomic and particle level.
What Is a BTU?
BTU means British Thermal Unit.
The converter uses the International Table BTU, shown as BTU (IT).
One BTU (IT) is equal to:
1 BTU = 1,055.056 J
BTU is often used to describe heat energy, especially in heating, cooling, and air-conditioning systems.
What Is a Foot-pound Force?
A foot-pound force, written as ft·lbf, is a unit of energy or work used mainly in the United States.
It describes the amount of work done when a force of one pound-force moves an object through a distance of one foot.
One foot-pound force is approximately:
1 ft·lbf = 1.355817948 J
This unit is also seen in mechanical and engineering applications.
What Is an Erg?
An erg is a small unit of energy from the centimetre-gram-second (CGS) system.
One erg is equal to:
1 erg = 0.0000001 J
This means:
10,000,000 erg = 1 J
The erg is mostly found in older scientific material and some specialized applications.
Difference Between Energy and Power
Energy and power are related, but they are not the same thing.
Energy is the ability to do work.
Power tells us how quickly energy is used or transferred.
Energy can be measured in:
- Joules
- Kilojoules
- Kilowatt-hours
- Calories
- BTU
Power can be measured in:
- Watts
- Kilowatts
- Megawatts
For example, a 1,000-watt device uses energy at a rate of 1,000 joules per second.
This is why watt (W) is a unit of power, while watt-hour (Wh) is a unit of energy.
Where Is Energy Used?
Energy is important in many areas.
Electricity
Electrical energy powers homes, computers, phones, machines, and other devices.
Food
Food provides chemical energy to the human body. Calories and kilocalories are commonly used to describe this energy.
Engineering
Engineers use energy measurements when designing machines, engines, and electrical systems.
Physics
Scientists use joules and electronvolts to measure energy in different physical systems.
Heating and Cooling
BTU is commonly used to describe heating and cooling capacity and thermal energy.
Mechanical Systems
Foot-pounds force can be used to describe mechanical work and energy.
Tools Multiconverts
Area Converter Online
An area converter helps you change an area measurement from one unit to another.
Length Converter Online
A length converter is a simple tool that helps you change a length from one unit to another.
Temperature Converter Online
A temperature converter is a simple online tool that helps you change a temperature from one unit to another.
Volume Converter Online
A volume converter is an online tool that helps you change a volume measurement from one unit to another.
Weight Converter Online
A weight converter is an online tool that helps you change a weight measurement from one unit to another.
Digital Storage Converter – Convert Bits, Bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and More
Digital storage is part of our daily life. We use it when we save photos, download videos, install games, store documents, or use a computer.
Time – Online Time Tool
Time is part of our daily life. We use time to work, study, sleep, travel, cook, and plan our day.
Speed Converter – km/h, mph and m/s
Speed is part of our everyday life. We use speed when driving a car, riding a bike, running, traveling, or studying science.
Torque Converter Online – N·m, lbf·ft, kgf·m, and More
Torque is important in cars, machines, tools, and many other things we use every day.
Force Converter Online – Newton, kN, lbf and More
Force is part of our everyday life. We use force when we push a door, lift a box, pull an object, or move something.
Pressure Converter
Pressure is something we use every day. We find it in car tires, weather reports, machines, water pipes, and many other places.
Electrical Voltage Converter: Convert Volts, Millivolts, and More
Electrical voltage is an important part of every electrical circuit. It helps move electric current through a circuit.
Electrical Conductance Converter: Convert Siemens, Millisiemens, and More
Electrical conductance tells us how easily electric current can flow through a material or device.
Electrical Resistance Converter: Convert Ohms, Milliohms, and More
Electrical resistance is an important part of electricity. It tells us how much a material or device resists the flow of electric current.
Energy Converter: Convert Joules, Calories, kWh, BTU, and More
Energy is an important part of science, engineering, electricity, food, machines, and everyday life.
Electrical Current Converter: Convert Amperes, Milliamperes, and More
Electrical current is an important part of electricity. It tells us how much electric charge flows through a circuit.
Power Converter – Convert W, kW, MW, HP, BTU/h & More
A power converter helps you change a power value from one unit to another. You can convert watts, kilowatts, megawatts, horsepower, kilocalories per hour, BTU per hour, and foot-pounds per minute in seconds.
Why Use an Online Energy Converter?
Energy conversions can involve very large or very small numbers.
Doing these calculations manually can take time and can lead to mistakes.
Our online Energy Converter provides several benefits:
- Free to use: Convert energy values without paying.
- Fast results: Get your result in seconds.
- Easy to understand: No advanced math is required.
- Many units: Convert between 11 energy units.
- Useful for students: Practice energy conversions for school and college.
- Useful for engineers: Convert units used in technical calculations.
- Works online: Use the converter on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an Energy Converter?
An Energy Converter is an online tool that changes an energy value from one unit to another.
For example, it can convert joules to kilojoules, kilowatt-hours to joules, or calories to joules.
What is the standard unit of energy?
The standard SI unit of energy is the joule.
Its symbol is J.
How many joules are in one kilojoule?
One kilojoule is equal to 1,000 joules.
1 kJ = 1,000 J
How many joules are in one megajoule?
One megajoule is equal to 1,000,000 joules.
1 MJ = 1,000,000 J
How many joules are in one kilowatt-hour?
One kilowatt-hour is equal to 3,600,000 joules.
1 kWh = 3,600,000 J
How many joules are in one calorie?
One thermochemical calorie is equal to 4.184 joules.
1 cal = 4.184 J
How many joules are in one kilocalorie?
One kilocalorie is equal to 4,184 joules.
1 kcal = 4,184 J
How many joules are in one BTU?
One British Thermal Unit (International Table) is equal to 1,055.056 joules.
1 BTU (IT) = 1,055.056 J
What is the difference between kW and kWh?
Kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power. Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy.
Power tells us how quickly energy is used or transferred, while energy tells us how much energy is involved.
What is an electronvolt?
An electronvolt (eV) is a very small unit of energy commonly used in physics.
1 eV = 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
What is an erg?
An erg is a unit of energy from the CGS system.
1 erg = 0.0000001 J
Is the Energy Converter free?
Yes. You can use our online Energy Converter for free to convert values between the supported energy units.
Constructon Tools multiconverts
Roofing Calculator: How Much Roofing Material Do I Need?
Planning a roof installation or replacement begins with an important question: How much roofing material do I need?
Whether you’re replacing asphalt shingles, estimating roofing squares, planning a new roof, or comparing roofing material costs, accurate measurements are essential for creating a realistic project estimate.
Mulch Calculator: How Much Mulch Do I Need?
Planning a landscaping project often starts with a simple question: How much mulch do I need?
Whether you’re refreshing garden beds, landscaping around trees, covering flower beds, or improving the appearance of your yard, estimating the correct amount of mulch can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and reduce material waste.
Gravel Calculator: How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Planning a gravel project begins with one important question: How much gravel do I need?
Whether you’re installing a gravel driveway, creating a garden pathway, preparing a construction base, or improving your landscaping, calculating the correct gravel quantity helps you estimate costs, compare supplier quotes, and reduce unnecessary material waste.
Tile Calculator: How Many Tiles Do I Need?
Planning a tile installation starts with an important question: How many tiles do I need?
Whether you’re installing ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, bathroom wall tiles, kitchen backsplash tiles, or floor tiles, estimating the correct quantity helps you plan purchases, reduce waste, and avoid running out of materials during installation.
Brick Calculator: How Many Bricks Do I Need?
Planning a brick construction project begins with an important question: How many bricks do I need?
Whether you’re building a garden wall, decorative brick wall, masonry partition, exterior façade, or another brick structure, estimating the correct number of bricks helps you plan material purchases, compare supplier quotes, and reduce unnecessary waste.
Flooring Calculator: How Much Flooring Do I Need?
Planning a new flooring project begins with an important question: How much flooring do I need?
Whether you’re installing laminate, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), hardwood, engineered wood, or tile, calculating the correct amount of flooring helps you plan material purchases, compare costs, and reduce unnecessary waste.
Paint Calculator: How Much Paint Do I Need?
Planning a painting project starts with an important question: How much paint do I need?
Whether you’re painting a bedroom, living room, kitchen, office, ceiling, or exterior wall, estimating the correct amount of paint can help you control costs, reduce waste, and avoid unnecessary trips to the store.
Concrete Calculator: How Much Concrete Do I Need?
Planning a concrete project starts with one important question: How much concrete do I need?
Whether you’re building a patio, driveway, sidewalk, foundation footing, or concrete slab, estimating the correct amount of concrete can help you plan material purchases, compare supplier quotes, and reduce unnecessary waste.
Retaining Wall Calculator: How Many Blocks Do I Need?
Retaining walls are commonly used in landscaping and construction to hold back soil, create level outdoor spaces, manage elevation changes, and improve the appearance of sloped properties.
Stair Calculator: How to Calculate Steps, Risers, Treads, and Stair Dimensions
Designing a staircase starts with an important question: How many stairs do I need, and what should their dimensions be?