Megawatts to Kilowatts
An instant megawatts-to-kilowatts converter, with the formula and a reference table below.
| Megawatts | Kilowatts |
|---|---|
| 1 MW | 1000 kW |
| 2 MW | 2000 kW |
| 3 MW | 3000 kW |
| 5 MW | 5000 kW |
| 10 MW | 10000 kW |
| 25 MW | 25000 kW |
| 50 MW | 50000 kW |
| 100 MW | 100000 kW |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Megawatts field.
- The Kilowatts figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Kilowatts field converts back to Megawatts the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Megawatts to Kilowatts formula
To convert megawatts to kilowatts, multiply by 1000.
kW = MW × 1000
Put another way, one megawatt is exactly 1,000 kilowatts.
Why this factor: the megawatt and the kilowatt are both defined against the watt, so dividing one definition by the other gives 1000 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 1000 — or use the Kilowatts to Megawatts converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 150 MW. Multiply by 1000 to get 150000 kW.
150 MW × 1000 = 150000 kW
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a megawatt?
A megawatt is one million watts, the unit of power-station and grid-scale capacity.
Definition: Exactly 1×10⁶ watts.
Where it is used: Power plant and wind farm output, data-centre capacity, and grid demand.
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.
Megawatts vs Kilowatts
The megawatt and the kilowatt 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 kilowatts are in a megawatt?
One megawatt equals 1000 kilowatts.
What is the formula to convert megawatts to kilowatts?
Multiply the number of megawatts by 1000. To reverse it, divide by 1000 instead.
How do I convert kilowatts back to megawatts?
Divide by 1000, which is the same as multiplying by 0.001.
How many kilowatts are in 10 megawatts?
10 MW works out to 10000 kW.
How is the megawatt defined?
Exactly 1×10⁶ watts.