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Energy converter

Convert joules, calories, kcal, Wh, kWh and BTU.

Result
3,600,000 joule (J)
Equivalence1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) = 3,600,000 joule (J)
Interactive lesson: The villain on your power bill The shower draws 5,500 W and costs R$19/month. The AC draws 1,000 W and costs R$204. See why.

How the calculation works

Energy has many units because it shows up in physics, nutrition, electricity bills and air conditioning. The conversion goes through the joule (J).

Equivalences

  • 1 kJ = 1,000 J  ·  1 kcal = 4,184 J
  • 1 Wh = 3,600 J  ·  1 kWh = 3,600,000 J
  • 1 BTU ≈ 1,055 J

Food "calories"

The "calorie" on food labels is actually the kilocalorie (kcal): a "200-calorie" bar is 200 kcal.

kWh: the electricity-bill unit

A 1,000 W device running for 1 hour uses 1 kWh — the basis of your power bill.

Examples

  • 1 kWh = 3.6 million joules = 860 kcal.
  • 500 kcal = 2,092 kJ (500 × 4.184).

Frequently asked questions

Are calorie and kilocalorie the same?

No. 1 kcal = 1,000 cal. The food "calorie" is really the kilocalorie.

What is 1 kWh?

The energy of a 1,000 W device running for 1 hour — the unit on your power bill.

What does BTU mean in air conditioners?

It is the cooling capacity per hour. More BTUs cool a larger room.

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Updated on June 17, 2026 · by Rafael Rossi · Methodology & sources