KW to Watts Converter
Convert kilowatts to watts — a thousand to the kilowatt. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One kilowatt is 1,000 watts — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the kw to watts converter works
Power converts through the watt. Mechanical horsepower is 550 ft·lbf/s = 745.6999 W; metric horsepower (PS, used in European car specs) is 735.4988 W. Air-conditioner capacities are quoted in kW, BTU/h (1 W = 3.412 BTU/h) or tons of refrigeration (3.517 kW).
The UK is metric for most trade and science but keeps miles, pints, stone and mpg (with the imperial gallon) in daily life.
Common power conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 0.001 kW | 1 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 0.01 kW | 10 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 0.1 kW | 100 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 0.5 kW | 500 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 1 kW | 1,000 W | kilowatt to watts |
| 2 kW | 2,000 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 3 kW | 3,000 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 5 kW | 5,000 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 7.5 kW | 7,500 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 10 kW | 10,000 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 50 kW | 50,000 W | kilowatts to watts |
| 100 kW | 100,000 W | kilowatts to watts |
Units in this converter and their exact factors
| Unit | Symbol | One unit in watts |
|---|---|---|
| watt | W | 1 watt |
| kilowatt | kW | 1,000 watt |
| megawatt | MW | 1,000,000 watt |
| horsepower (mechanical) | hp | 745.6998715823 watt |
| metric horsepower (PS) | PS | 735.49875 watt |
| BTU per hour | BTU/h | 0.29307107 watt |
| ton of refrigeration | TR | 3,516.8528421 watt |
FAQFrequently asked questions about power conversion
How many watts in a kilowatt?
Exactly a thousand.
How many watts is a kettle?
Usually 2,000–3,000 W, so 2–3 kW.
What is the difference between kW and kWh?
A kilowatt is a rate; a kilowatt-hour is an amount. A 2 kW heater for 30 minutes uses 1 kWh.
How many watts does an LED bulb use?
Typically 5–12 W for the light a 40–75 W incandescent gave.
What can a 10 A circuit supply?
About 2.3 kW at 230 V, or 1.2 kW at 120 V.
Where these figures come from
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure, 9th edition) — definitions of the base and derived units.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact conversion factors used here.
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL) — United Kingdom's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.