Kilowatt-hours to Joules Converter
Convert kilowatt-hours to joules instantly. Type a value, change either unit, or press swap to go the other way. 1 kilowatt-hour = 3,600,000 joules.
1 kilowatt-hour = 3,600,000 joules
How to convert kilowatt-hours to joules
joules = kilowatt-hours × 3,600,000
To convert kilowatt-hours to joules, multiply the value by 3,600,000. To go back from joules to kilowatt-hours, divide by the same number (or multiply by 2.777777778 × 10-7).
Worked examples
- 1 kWh: 1 × 3,600,000 = 3,600,000 J
- 2 kWh: 2 × 3,600,000 = 7,200,000 J
- 5 kWh: 5 × 3,600,000 = 18,000,000 J
One kilowatt-hour is exactly 3.6 million joules (3.6 MJ). Multiply kWh by 3.6 to get megajoules.
Kilowatt-hours to Joules conversion table
Kilowatt-hours to Joules
| kWh | J |
|---|---|
| 0.001 | 3,600 |
| 0.1 | 360,000 |
| 1 | 3,600,000 |
| 2 | 7,200,000 |
| 5 | 18,000,000 |
| 10 | 36,000,000 |
| 30 | 108,000,000 |
| 100 | 360,000,000 |
| 500 | 1,800,000,000 |
| 1,000 | 3,600,000,000 |
Joules to Kilowatt-hours
| J | kWh |
|---|---|
| 0.001 | 0 |
| 0.1 | 2.7777778 × 10-8 |
| 1 | 2.7777778 × 10-7 |
| 2 | 5.5555556 × 10-7 |
| 5 | 1.3888889 × 10-6 |
| 10 | 2.7777778 × 10-6 |
| 30 | 8.3333333 × 10-6 |
| 100 | 0.0000277778 |
| 500 | 0.0001388889 |
| 1,000 | 0.0002777778 |
Energy equivalents
See how one kilowatt-hour and one joule compare with every other energy unit on the site.
1 kilowatt-hour equals
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| joules (J) | 3,600,000 |
| kilojoules (kJ) | 3,600 |
| calories (small) (cal) | 860,420.7 |
| kilocalories (food Calories) (kcal) | 860.4207 |
| watt-hours (Wh) | 1,000 |
| British thermal units (BTU) | 3,412.142 |
1 joule equals
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| kilojoules (kJ) | 0.001 |
| calories (small) (cal) | 0.2390057 |
| kilocalories (food Calories) (kcal) | 0.0002390057 |
| watt-hours (Wh) | 0.0002777778 |
| kilowatt-hours (kWh) | 2.777778 × 10-7 |
| British thermal units (BTU) | 0.0009478171 |
When you need to convert kilowatt-hours to joules
Electricity bills are measured in kilowatt-hours, but physics and engineering problems need joules. Converting lets students solve energy problems, engineers compare electrical and mechanical energy, and curious readers see just how much energy a unit of household electricity really is.
About the units
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
A kilowatt-hour is the energy used by a 1,000-watt device in one hour, exactly 3.6 million joules. It is the unit electricity is billed in.
Joule (J)
The joule is the SI unit of energy: the work done by a force of one newton over one meter. A small apple lifted one meter takes about one joule.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert kilowatt-hours to joules?
Multiply the number of kilowatt-hours by 3,600,000. For example, 10 kilowatt-hours × 3,600,000 = 36,000,000 joules.
How many joules are in one kilowatt-hour?
There are 3,600,000 joules in one kilowatt-hour.
How many kilowatt-hours are in one joule?
There are 2.777777778 × 10-7 kilowatt-hours in one joule.
What can one kilowatt-hour power?
One kilowatt-hour runs a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours, a 1,500 W space heater for 40 minutes, or a laptop for roughly 15 to 20 hours. It is also equal to 3.6 million joules.
Can I convert other energy units with this tool?
Yes. Use the From and To drop-downs in the converter to choose any energy unit, or press the swap button to reverse the conversion. All calculations use internationally defined conversion factors.