Kilowatt Hours to Kilocalories
Type a value in either box to convert between kilowatt hours and kilocalories. The factor is 860.421.
| Kilowatt Hours | Kilocalories |
|---|---|
| 1 kWh | 860.42065 kcal |
| 2 kWh | 1720.8413 kcal |
| 3 kWh | 2581.26195 kcal |
| 5 kWh | 4302.10325 kcal |
| 10 kWh | 8604.206501 kcal |
| 25 kWh | 21510.516252 kcal |
| 50 kWh | 43021.032505 kcal |
| 100 kWh | 86042.06501 kcal |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Kilowatt Hours field.
- The Kilocalories figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Kilocalories field converts back to Kilowatt Hours the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Kilowatt Hours to Kilocalories formula
The factor from kilowatt hours to kilocalories is 860.42065.
kcal = kWh × 860.42065
Why this factor: the kilowatt-hour and the kilocalorie are both defined against the joule, so dividing one definition by the other gives 860.42065 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 860.42065 — or use the Kilocalories to Kilowatt Hours converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Take 100 kWh and multiply by the factor 860.42065: the result is 86042.06501 kcal.
100 kWh × 860.42065 = 86042.06501 kcal
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a kilowatt-hour?
A kilowatt-hour is the standard billing unit for electricity — one kilowatt drawn for one hour.
Definition: Exactly 3.6 megajoules.
Where it is used: Electricity bills worldwide, solar generation figures, and electric vehicle battery capacity.
What is a kilocalorie?
A kilocalorie is 1,000 calories, and is what food labeling calls a 'Calorie'.
Definition: Exactly 4,184 joules.
Where it is used: Nutrition and dietary energy in the US and much of the world, and metabolic measurements.
Worth knowing: Written with a capital C ('Calorie') or as 'kcal' on labels. This is the unit meant by everyday talk about counting calories.
Kilowatt Hours vs Kilocalories
The kilowatt-hour and the kilocalorie belong to the same family of units, so converting between them is usually a matter of shifting a decimal point or applying a small whole-number factor.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilocalories are in a kilowatt-hour?
One kilowatt-hour equals 860.42065 kilocalories.
What is the formula to convert kilowatt hours to kilocalories?
Multiply the number of kilowatt hours by 860.42065. To reverse it, divide by 860.42065 instead.
How do I convert kilocalories back to kilowatt hours?
Divide by 860.42065, which is the same as multiplying by 0.00116222222.
How many kilocalories are in 10 kilowatt hours?
10 kWh works out to 8604.206501 kcal.
Is there anything to watch out for with kilocalories?
Written with a capital C ('Calorie') or as 'kcal' on labels. This is the unit meant by everyday talk about counting calories.
How is the kilowatt-hour defined?
Exactly 3.6 megajoules.