How to Convert Kilowatt-hours to Watt-hours (kWh to Wh)
Energy conversions link food labels in kJ and kcal, SP Group bills in kWh and air-conditioner capacity in BTU. This guide shows how to convert kilowatt-hours into watt-hours by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert kilowatt-hours to watt-hours, multiply the value by 1,000. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 0.001). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 1,000.
Watt-hours = kilowatt-hours × 1,000
Worked examples
- 3 kWh = 3,000 Wh
- 12.5 kWh = 12,500 Wh
- 75 kWh = 75,000 Wh
Kilowatt-hours to Watt-hours table
| Kilowatt-hours | Watt-hours |
|---|---|
| 1 kWh | 1,000 Wh |
| 2 kWh | 2,000 Wh |
| 5 kWh | 5,000 Wh |
| 10 kWh | 10,000 Wh |
| 20 kWh | 20,000 Wh |
| 25 kWh | 25,000 Wh |
| 50 kWh | 50,000 Wh |
| 100 kWh | 100,000 Wh |
| 250 kWh | 250,000 Wh |
| 500 kWh | 500,000 Wh |
| 1,000 kWh | 1,000,000 Wh |
Common questions
Is kWh to Wh exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Watt-hours to Kilowatt-hours converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
Forgetting squared and cubed units
Area and volume factors are the length factor squared or cubed, so 1 m² is about 10.76 sq ft, not 3.28.
Multiplying when you should divide
Converting to a smaller unit gives a bigger number, and converting to a larger unit gives a smaller one. If your answer moves the wrong way, you have inverted the factor.
Background
A conversion table is handy for common values, but a calculator is faster and avoids interpolation errors for anything in between.
For everyday use, three or four significant figures are usually enough. Engineering, science and trade documents may need more, and rounding should happen only at the end of a calculation.
Writing the units next to every number while you work is the simplest way to avoid mistakes. If the units do not cancel to leave the one you want, the calculation is set up wrongly.
For any value, use the Kilowatt-hours to Watt-hours Converter or browse all energy converters.
Run your own numbers: Kilowatt-hours to Watt-hours Converter