What this calculator does
A kilowatt is exactly 1,000 watts, in the same way a kilometre is exactly 1,000 metres: the "kilo" prefix always means a factor of 1,000, with no rounding or approximation involved. Converting between the two is a straightforward division or multiplication by that fixed factor.
Watts are the unit an appliance’s power draw is usually printed in, while kilowatts show up on power bills and larger equipment ratings such as a car charger or a solar system. This calculator moves between the two either direction, and shows the equivalent in megawatts as well, for figures large enough that even kilowatts becomes an unwieldy unit.
The formula
To convert watts to kilowatts, divide by 1,000. To convert kilowatts to watts, multiply by 1,000. The same ×1,000 relationship applies one level up, from kilowatts to megawatts.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| W | Watt: the base unit of power. |
| kW | Kilowatt: 1,000 watts. |
| MW | Megawatt: 1,000,000 watts, or 1,000 kilowatts. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Value | The power value to convert. |
| Convert | Whether the value entered is in watts or kilowatts. |
When to use it
Reading an appliance’s power rating
Appliance labels are usually in watts, but running-cost estimates and power bills are usually in kilowatts (or kilowatt-hours over time), so converting between the two is a routine first step.
Sizing a solar or battery system
Solar panel and inverter capacities are typically quoted in kilowatts, while individual appliance draws are in watts; converting both to the same unit is needed before adding them up.
Comparing a household figure against a much larger one
Once a figure moves into the thousands of kilowatts, expressing it in megawatts instead, as this calculator also shows, keeps the number readable.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
Watts converted to kilowatts
A range of watt values, converted to kilowatts.
| Watts | Kilowatts |
|---|---|
| 100 W | 0.1000 kW |
| 500 W | 0.5000 kW |
| 1,000 W | 1.000 kW |
| 1,500 W | 1.500 kW |
| 2,000 W | 2.000 kW |
| 5,000 W | 5.000 kW |
Kilowatts converted to watts
A range of kilowatt values, converted to watts.
Questions
How many watts are in a kilowatt?
Exactly 1,000 watts. The kilo prefix is a fixed factor of 1,000, the same as it is for a kilogram or kilometre.
How do I convert 1500 watts to kilowatts?
Divide by 1,000: 1,500 watts is 1.5 kilowatts.
Why are power bills measured in kilowatt-hours rather than watts?
A kilowatt-hour measures energy used over time (power multiplied by hours), not power on its own. Watts and kilowatts describe the rate of energy use at a given moment; kilowatt-hours describe the total consumed over a billing period.
What is the difference between a kilowatt and a horsepower?
They are both units of power, but from different systems: one kilowatt is roughly 1.34 horsepower. A dedicated power converter with the full ladder of units, including horsepower, is available if that comparison is needed.
For the full ladder of power units, including horsepower and BTU per hour, see the power conversion calculator. For energy used over time rather than power at an instant, see the energy conversion calculator.