How to Convert Kilowatts to BTU per hour (kW to BTU/h)
Power conversions help compare car engines in hp and kW, and air-con units rated in BTU/h against their electrical draw in watts. This guide shows how to convert kilowatts into btu per hour by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert kilowatts to btu per hour, multiply the value by 3,412.1416351331. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 0.0002930711). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 3,400.
BTU per hour = kilowatts × 3,412.1416351331
Worked examples
- 3 kW = 10,236.42 BTU/h
- 12.5 kW = 42,651.77 BTU/h
- 75 kW = 255,910.62 BTU/h
Kilowatts to BTU per hour table
| Kilowatts | BTU per hour |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 3,412.14 BTU/h |
| 2 kW | 6,824.28 BTU/h |
| 5 kW | 17,060.71 BTU/h |
| 10 kW | 34,121.42 BTU/h |
| 20 kW | 68,242.83 BTU/h |
| 25 kW | 85,303.54 BTU/h |
| 50 kW | 170,607.08 BTU/h |
| 100 kW | 341,214.16 BTU/h |
| 250 kW | 853,035.41 BTU/h |
| 500 kW | 1,706,070.82 BTU/h |
| 1,000 kW | 3,412,141.64 BTU/h |
Common questions
Is kW to BTU/h 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 BTU per hour to Kilowatts converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Dropping the units
A bare number without a unit is easy to misread later. Always write the unit with the result.
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.
Rounding the factor too early
Using 3 instead of 3.28 for feet per metre introduces an error of almost 9% before you have started.
Background
A conversion table is handy for common values, but a calculator is faster and avoids interpolation errors for anything in between.
Unit conversion is simply multiplication by a fixed ratio. The ratio between two units of the same quantity never changes, so once you know it you can convert any value in either direction.
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 Kilowatts to BTU per hour Converter or browse all power converters.
Run your own numbers: Kilowatts to BTU per hour Converter