Watts to Megawatts
Type a value in either box to convert between watts and megawatts. The factor is 1e-06.
| Watts | Megawatts |
|---|---|
| 1 W | 1e-06 MW |
| 2 W | 2e-06 MW |
| 3 W | 3e-06 MW |
| 5 W | 5e-06 MW |
| 10 W | 1e-05 MW |
| 25 W | 2.5e-05 MW |
| 50 W | 5e-05 MW |
| 100 W | 0.0001 MW |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Watts field.
- The Megawatts figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Megawatts field converts back to Watts the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Watts to Megawatts formula
To convert watts to megawatts, multiply by 1e-06.
MW = W × 1e-06
Why this factor: the watt and the megawatt 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 Megawatts to Watts converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 500 W. Multiply by 1e-06 to get 0.0005 MW.
500 W × 1e-06 = 0.0005 MW
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 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.
Watts vs Megawatts
The watt is an SI unit while the megawatt 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 megawatts are in a watt?
One watt equals 1e-06 megawatts.
What is the formula to convert watts to megawatts?
Multiply the number of watts by 1e-06. To reverse it, divide by 1e-06 instead.
How do I convert megawatts back to watts?
Divide by 1e-06, which is the same as multiplying by 1000000.
How many megawatts are in 10 watts?
10 W works out to 1e-05 MW.
How is the watt defined?
Defined as 1 J/s. Named after James Watt.