Calorie and energy unit converter
Convert kilocalories, calories, kilojoules, megajoules, kilowatt-hours and BTU. Fixed factors - enter a value or pick a popular conversion below.
Quick calorie conversion
Convert Kilocalorie to Kilojoule
1 kcal = 4.184 kJ · factor
Convert Kilocalorie to Calorie
1 kcal = 1000 cal · factor
Convert Kilocalorie to Kilowatt-hour
1 kcal = 0.001162 kWh · factor
Convert Kilocalorie to British thermal unit
1 kcal = 3.965667 BTU · factor
Convert Kilocalorie to Megajoule
1 kcal = 0.004184 MJ · factor
Convert British thermal unit to Kilocalorie
1 BTU = 0.252164 kcal · factor
Convert Calorie to Kilocalorie
1 cal = 0.001 kcal · factor
Convert Kilojoule to Kilocalorie
1 kJ = 0.239006 kcal · factor
Jump to common amounts. Factors are fixed physical ratios, not market rates.
Food labels and calorie questions
All calculators use the same fixed chain (thermochemical kcal = 4184 J). No live electricity tariffs.
- Kilocalorie (kcal)
- 1 kcal (thermochemical) = 4184 J. On food labels, “Calorie” usually means kilocalorie.
- Kilojoule (kJ)
- 1 kcal ≈ 4.184 kJ. Many regions print both kcal and kJ on nutrition labels.
- Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
- 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ exactly (electrical energy). Converting to kcal is a physical equivalence, not a utility bill.
- BTU
- British thermal unit (IT): used in heating and AC ratings. Converted via fixed energy factors on this site.
Are energy conversion factors fixed?
Yes. Unlike currency rates, energy unit factors on NiftyRecipe are physical constants (for example 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ). Results do not change by market time of day.
What is the difference between a calorie and a kilocalorie?
1 kilocalorie (kcal) = 1000 small calories (cal). On food packs, “Calorie” almost always means kcal. Example: 120 kcal = 120000 cal.
How do I convert kWh to kcal?
Use the kilowatt-hour → kilocalorie calculator. Roughly 1 kWh ≈ 860 kcal (thermochemical). The on-page factor shows the exact value used here.
Can I convert any amount?
Yes. Enter a value in the calculator or open a dedicated URL such as 100 kcal to kJ or 120 kcal to calories. Nearby amount links help you jump to common totals.
What does kJ mean on a food label or KBJU table?
kJ is kilojoule, the SI energy unit printed next to kcal on many packs (often per 100 g). 1 kcal ≈ 4.184 kJ. It is the same food energy, not a different nutrient.