How to Convert Kilowatts to Megawatts (kW to MW)
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 megawatts by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert kilowatts to megawatts, multiply the value by 0.001. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 1,000). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 0.001.
Megawatts = kilowatts × 0.001
Worked examples
- 3 kW = 0.003 MW
- 12.5 kW = 0.0125 MW
- 75 kW = 0.075 MW
Kilowatts to Megawatts table
| Kilowatts | Megawatts |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 0.001 MW |
| 2 kW | 0.002 MW |
| 5 kW | 0.005 MW |
| 10 kW | 0.01 MW |
| 20 kW | 0.02 MW |
| 25 kW | 0.025 MW |
| 50 kW | 0.05 MW |
| 100 kW | 0.1 MW |
| 250 kW | 0.25 MW |
| 500 kW | 0.5 MW |
| 1,000 kW | 1 MW |
Common questions
Is kW to MW 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 Megawatts to Kilowatts converter.
Mistakes to avoid
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.
Dropping the units
A bare number without a unit is easy to misread later. Always write the unit with the result.
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
Background
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.
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 Megawatts Converter or browse all power converters.
Run your own numbers: Kilowatts to Megawatts Converter