Watts to Gigawatts
Convert watts to gigawatts instantly — one watt is 1e-09 gigawatts.
| Watts | Gigawatts |
|---|---|
| 1 W | 1e-09 GW |
| 2 W | 2e-09 GW |
| 3 W | 3e-09 GW |
| 5 W | 5e-09 GW |
| 10 W | 1e-08 GW |
| 25 W | 2.5e-08 GW |
| 50 W | 5e-08 GW |
| 100 W | 1e-07 GW |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Watts field.
- The Gigawatts figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Gigawatts field converts back to Watts the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Watts to Gigawatts formula
The factor from watts to gigawatts is 1e-09.
GW = W × 1e-09
Why this factor: the watt and the gigawatt 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 Gigawatts to Watts converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 75 W. Multiply by 1e-09 to get 7.5e-08 GW.
75 W × 1e-09 = 7.5e-08 GW
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
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.
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.
Watts vs Gigawatts
The watt is an SI unit while the gigawatt is a metric 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 gigawatts are in a watt?
One watt equals 1e-09 gigawatts.
What is the formula to convert watts to gigawatts?
Multiply the number of watts by 1e-09. To reverse it, divide by 1e-09 instead.
How do I convert gigawatts back to watts?
Divide by 1e-09, which is the same as multiplying by 1e+09.
How many gigawatts are in 10 watts?
10 W works out to 1e-08 GW.
How is the watt defined?
Defined as 1 J/s. Named after James Watt.