How to Convert Kilowatts to Watts (kW to W)
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 watts by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert kilowatts to watts, 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.
Watts = kilowatts × 1,000
Worked examples
- 3 kW = 3,000 W
- 12.5 kW = 12,500 W
- 75 kW = 75,000 W
Kilowatts to Watts table
| Kilowatts | Watts |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1,000 W |
| 2 kW | 2,000 W |
| 5 kW | 5,000 W |
| 10 kW | 10,000 W |
| 20 kW | 20,000 W |
| 25 kW | 25,000 W |
| 50 kW | 50,000 W |
| 100 kW | 100,000 W |
| 250 kW | 250,000 W |
| 500 kW | 500,000 W |
| 1,000 kW | 1,000,000 W |
Common questions
Is kW to W 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 Watts to Kilowatts converter.
Mistakes to avoid
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.
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
Dropping the units
A bare number without a unit is easy to misread later. Always write the unit with the result.
Background
Singapore adopted the metric system in the 1970s, replacing imperial units and traditional Chinese measures in most official uses. Metric units are now standard in schools, trade and government, but older units survive in property, markets and imported goods.
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.
For any value, use the Kilowatts to Watts Converter or browse all power converters.
Run your own numbers: Kilowatts to Watts Converter