Gigawatts to Watts
An instant gigawatts-to-watts converter, with the formula and a reference table below.
| Gigawatts | Watts |
|---|---|
| 1 GW | 1000000000 W |
| 2 GW | 2000000000 W |
| 3 GW | 3000000000 W |
| 5 GW | 5000000000 W |
| 10 GW | 10000000000 W |
| 25 GW | 25000000000 W |
| 50 GW | 50000000000 W |
| 100 GW | 100000000000 W |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Gigawatts field.
- The Watts figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Watts field converts back to Gigawatts the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Gigawatts to Watts formula
To convert gigawatts to watts, multiply by 1e+09.
W = GW × 1e+09
Why this factor: the gigawatt and the watt are both defined against the watt, so dividing one definition by the other gives 1e+09 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 1e+09 — or use the Watts to Gigawatts converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 75 GW. Multiply by 1e+09 to get 75000000000 W.
75 GW × 1e+09 = 75000000000 W
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a gigawatt?
A gigawatt is one billion watts — the scale of national grids and large nuclear plants.
Definition: Exactly 1×10⁹ watts.
Where it is used: National electricity demand, total installed renewable capacity, and large nuclear reactor output.
What is a watt?
The watt is the SI unit of power — the rate of one joule of energy per second.
Definition: Defined as 1 J/s. Named after James Watt.
Where it is used: Appliance and light-bulb ratings, audio output, and all scientific power calculations.
Gigawatts vs Watts
The gigawatt is a metric unit while the watt is an SI unit. That is why the factor between them is not a round number: the two systems were defined independently and only later tied together by exact agreement.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts are in a gigawatt?
One gigawatt equals 1e+09 watts.
What is the formula to convert gigawatts to watts?
Multiply the number of gigawatts by 1e+09. To reverse it, divide by 1e+09 instead.
How do I convert watts back to gigawatts?
Divide by 1e+09, which is the same as multiplying by 1e-09.
How many watts are in 10 gigawatts?
10 GW works out to 10000000000 W.
How is the gigawatt defined?
Exactly 1×10⁹ watts.