Kilowatts to Gigawatts
An instant kilowatts-to-gigawatts converter, with the formula and a reference table below.
| Kilowatts | Gigawatts |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1e-06 GW |
| 2 kW | 2e-06 GW |
| 3 kW | 3e-06 GW |
| 5 kW | 5e-06 GW |
| 10 kW | 1e-05 GW |
| 25 kW | 2.5e-05 GW |
| 50 kW | 5e-05 GW |
| 100 kW | 0.0001 GW |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Kilowatts field.
- The Gigawatts figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Gigawatts field converts back to Kilowatts the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Kilowatts to Gigawatts formula
Converting kilowatts to gigawatts is a single multiplication by 1e-06.
GW = kW × 1e-06
Why this factor: the kilowatt and the gigawatt are both defined against the watt, so dividing one definition by the other gives 1e-06 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 1e-06 — or use the Gigawatts to Kilowatts converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 500 kW. Multiply by 1e-06 to get 0.0005 GW.
500 kW × 1e-06 = 0.0005 GW
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a kilowatt?
A kilowatt is 1,000 watts, the practical unit for substantial electrical loads.
Definition: Exactly 1,000 watts.
Where it is used: Electric motor and vehicle output, heating systems, EV charger ratings, and solar array capacity.
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.
Kilowatts vs Gigawatts
The kilowatt and the gigawatt 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 gigawatts are in a kilowatt?
One kilowatt equals 1e-06 gigawatts.
What is the formula to convert kilowatts to gigawatts?
Multiply the number of kilowatts by 1e-06. To reverse it, divide by 1e-06 instead.
How do I convert gigawatts back to kilowatts?
Divide by 1e-06, which is the same as multiplying by 1000000.
How many gigawatts are in 10 kilowatts?
10 kW works out to 1e-05 GW.
How is the kilowatt defined?
Exactly 1,000 watts.