⚡ kW to Watts Converter
Professional Kilowatts to Watts Calculator | Electrical Power Tool
⚡ Common Appliance Power Ratings
📚 Complete Guide to kW and Watts Conversion
Understanding Kilowatts and Watts
Kilowatts (kW) and watts (W) are both SI units measuring electrical power—the rate of energy consumption or generation. 1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 watts (W), representing a simple metric prefix relationship where "kilo" means 1,000. Watts measure smaller power levels (light bulbs 10-100 W, phone chargers 5-20 W, laptops 45-100 W, LED TVs 50-200 W), while kilowatts measure larger electrical loads (microwaves 1-1.5 kW, electric kettles 1.5-3 kW, air conditioners 2-7 kW, electric vehicle chargers 7-22 kW, solar panel systems 3-15 kW residential). The watt is named after James Watt, Scottish inventor who improved the steam engine; it was adopted as the SI unit of power in 1960. Understanding kW-watt conversion enables consumers to interpret appliance specifications, calculate electricity costs (utility bills show kWh = kilowatt-hours), compare product power consumption, size electrical circuits and breakers, and select appropriate power supplies for electronic devices.
Conversion Formulas
Kilowatts to Watts: \( W = \text{kW} \times 1{,}000 \). Multiply kilowatts by 1,000 to convert to watts. Examples: 0.01 kW × 1,000 = 10 W (LED bulb); 0.06 kW × 1,000 = 60 W (incandescent bulb); 0.1 kW × 1,000 = 100 W (laptop); 0.5 kW × 1,000 = 500 W (blender, vacuum cleaner); 1 kW × 1,000 = 1,000 W (electric heater, hairdryer); 1.5 kW × 1,000 = 1,500 W (microwave oven); 2 kW × 1,000 = 2,000 W (electric kettle, toaster oven); 3 kW × 1,000 = 3,000 W (clothes dryer, water heater element); 5 kW × 1,000 = 5,000 W (central air conditioning); 7 kW × 1,000 = 7,000 W (electric vehicle home charger); 10 kW × 1,000 = 10,000 W (whole-house backup generator, solar panel system). Watts to Kilowatts: \( \text{kW} = \frac{W}{1{,}000} \) or \( \text{kW} = W \times 0.001 \). Divide watts by 1,000 to convert to kilowatts. Examples: 10 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.01 kW; 60 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.06 kW; 100 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.1 kW; 500 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 kW; 1,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 1 kW; 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kW; 2,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 2 kW; 5,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 5 kW; 10,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 10 kW. This straightforward 1:1,000 ratio makes conversion simple—just move the decimal point three places. These conversions enable homeowners to calculate total electrical load (sum all appliances in watts, convert to kW, ensure below circuit breaker capacity), estimate electricity costs (watts × hours ÷ 1,000 = kWh; kWh × rate = cost), compare energy efficiency (lower watts = less energy for same function), and understand electrical specifications across different product documentation standards.
Power Consumption Comparison Table
| Appliance / Device | Watts (W) | Kilowatts (kW) | Operating Hours/Day | Daily kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED light bulb | 10 W | 0.01 kW | 5 hours | 0.05 kWh |
| CFL bulb | 15 W | 0.015 kW | 5 hours | 0.075 kWh |
| Incandescent bulb | 60 W | 0.06 kW | 5 hours | 0.3 kWh |
| Phone charger | 5-10 W | 0.005-0.01 kW | 2 hours | 0.01-0.02 kWh |
| Laptop | 50-100 W | 0.05-0.1 kW | 8 hours | 0.4-0.8 kWh |
| Desktop computer | 200-500 W | 0.2-0.5 kW | 8 hours | 1.6-4 kWh |
| LED TV (50") | 80-150 W | 0.08-0.15 kW | 4 hours | 0.32-0.6 kWh |
| Refrigerator | 100-800 W | 0.1-0.8 kW | 24 hours (cyclic) | 1-3 kWh |
| Microwave oven | 1,000-1,500 W | 1-1.5 kW | 0.5 hours | 0.5-0.75 kWh |
| Electric kettle | 1,500-3,000 W | 1.5-3 kW | 0.25 hours | 0.38-0.75 kWh |
| Washing machine | 500-2,000 W | 0.5-2 kW | 1 hour | 0.5-2 kWh |
| Clothes dryer | 2,000-5,000 W | 2-5 kW | 1 hour | 2-5 kWh |
| Air conditioner (room) | 1,000-3,500 W | 1-3.5 kW | 8 hours | 8-28 kWh |
| Central AC | 3,000-7,000 W | 3-7 kW | 8 hours | 24-56 kWh |
| Electric water heater | 4,000-5,500 W | 4-5.5 kW | 3 hours | 12-16.5 kWh |
| EV home charger | 7,000-22,000 W | 7-22 kW | 4 hours | 28-88 kWh |
Electricity Cost Calculation
Understanding kW-watt conversion enables accurate electricity cost estimation. Formula: Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) × Time (hours); Cost = kWh × Rate ($/kWh). Utility companies bill based on kilowatt-hours (kWh)—energy consumed over time, not instantaneous power. Examples: 100 W (0.1 kW) laptop running 8 hours: 0.1 kW × 8 hrs = 0.8 kWh daily; at $0.12/kWh = $0.096/day = $2.88/month (30 days). 1,500 W (1.5 kW) microwave running 30 minutes daily (0.5 hours): 1.5 kW × 0.5 hrs = 0.75 kWh; at $0.12/kWh = $0.09/day = $2.70/month. 5,000 W (5 kW) central AC running 8 hours daily: 5 kW × 8 hrs = 40 kWh; at $0.12/kWh = $4.80/day = $144/month. 7,200 W (7.2 kW) EV charger delivering 60 kWh to vehicle: 60 kWh at $0.12/kWh = $7.20 per full charge; 12,000 miles/year ÷ 4 miles/kWh = 3,000 kWh/year × $0.12 = $360 annual fuel cost (vs. $1,500+ for equivalent gasoline vehicle). Energy Efficiency Impact: Replacing 60 W incandescent bulb (0.06 kW) with 10 W LED (0.01 kW) for same light output: 5 hours daily × 0.05 kW difference = 0.25 kWh/day savings = 7.5 kWh/month × $0.12 = $0.90/month = $10.80/year per bulb. Ten bulbs = $108/year savings, paying back LED investment in 1-2 years. Converting between watts and kW enables consumers to make informed purchasing decisions based on long-term operating costs, not just initial price.
Why Choose RevisionTown's kW to Watts Converter?
RevisionTown's professional converter provides: (1) Simple Precision—Uses exact factor 1,000 for perfect kW-watt conversions; (2) Bidirectional Conversion—Convert kW↔watts seamlessly with dedicated tabs; (3) Decimal Support—Handles fractional kilowatts (1.5 kW, 0.06 kW) and precise wattages; (4) Bulk Processing—Convert multiple appliance ratings simultaneously for household load calculations; (5) Quick Reference—Common appliance power ratings from LED bulbs (10 W) to solar systems (10,000 W); (6) Formula Display—View calculations for educational verification; (7) Mobile Optimized—Use on smartphones while shopping for appliances or comparing product specifications; (8) Zero Cost—Completely free with no registration; (9) Professional Accuracy—Trusted by electricians, engineers, students, homeowners, and energy consultants for appliance specifications, circuit design, solar system sizing, energy audits, and all applications requiring accurate power unit conversions for electrical work, energy efficiency analysis, and informed purchasing decisions worldwide.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1 kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. Formula: 1 kW = 1,000 W. This is the standard SI conversion between kilowatt (kilo = 1,000) and watt base unit. Examples: 0.5 kW = 500 W; 1 kW = 1,000 W; 2 kW = 2,000 W; 5 kW = 5,000 W; 10 kW = 10,000 W. Simple rule: move decimal three places right (kW→W) or left (W→kW).
Multiply kilowatts by 1,000. Formula: W = kW × 1,000. Examples: 0.01 kW × 1,000 = 10 W (LED bulb); 0.1 kW × 1,000 = 100 W (laptop); 1 kW × 1,000 = 1,000 W (heater); 1.5 kW × 1,000 = 1,500 W (microwave); 5 kW × 1,000 = 5,000 W (AC unit). Reverse (watts to kW): divide by 1,000. 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kW.
kW (kilowatts) and watts both measure electrical power. 1 kW = 1,000 watts (1,000× larger). Watts used for smaller devices: LED bulbs 10-15 W, phone chargers 5-20 W, laptops 50-100 W, TVs 50-200 W. Kilowatts used for larger loads: microwaves 1-1.5 kW, kettles 1.5-3 kW, AC units 2-7 kW, EV chargers 7-22 kW, solar systems 3-15 kW residential. Both measure instantaneous power (rate of energy use), distinct from kWh (kilowatt-hours = energy consumed over time).
1.5 kilowatts equals 1,500 watts. Calculation: 1.5 kW × 1,000 = 1,500 W. This is typical power for microwave ovens, electric kettles, and space heaters. At 1,500 W running 1 hour = 1.5 kWh energy consumption; at $0.12/kWh = $0.18 operating cost per hour. Daily use 30 minutes (0.5 hr) = 0.75 kWh = $0.09/day = $2.70/month.
2,000 watts equals 2 kilowatts. Formula: 2,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 2 kW. This is typical for electric kettles, toaster ovens, and small space heaters. At 2 kW running 1 hour = 2 kWh; at $0.12/kWh = $0.24 cost. For circuit breaker sizing: 2,000 W ÷ 120 V = 16.7 amps; requires minimum 20-amp circuit (allow 80% continuous load rating).
Kilowatts (kW) are bigger—1,000× larger than watts. 1 kW = 1,000 W. Use watts for small power: light bulbs, chargers, small electronics. Use kilowatts for larger power: appliances, motors, solar panels, EV chargers. Context matters: 100 W laptop (small, use watts); 5,000 W AC unit (large, better express as 5 kW for readability).
Formula: Cost = (Watts × Hours ÷ 1,000) × Rate. Steps: (1) Convert watts to kW: divide by 1,000; (2) Multiply kW by operating hours = kWh (energy); (3) Multiply kWh by electricity rate ($/kWh). Example: 1,500 W microwave, 30 min/day (0.5 hr), $0.12/kWh: (1,500 × 0.5 ÷ 1,000) × $0.12 = 0.75 kWh × $0.12 = $0.09/day = $2.70/month. Higher watts = higher cost for same usage time.
5 kilowatts (5,000 watts) powers: Central air conditioning unit (3-5 kW typical); Electric water heater element (4-5.5 kW); Clothes dryer (3-5 kW); Level 2 electric vehicle home charger (3.3-7.2 kW, often 5 kW nominal); Small electric stove with 2-3 burners operating; Combination of multiple appliances: refrigerator (0.7 kW) + microwave (1.5 kW) + dryer (3 kW) = 5.2 kW total. Residential circuit: 5,000 W ÷ 240 V = 20.8 amps; requires 30-amp 240V circuit minimum.