Watts to Kilowatts Converter
Convert watts to kilowatts — divide by a thousand. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One watt is 0.001 kilowatts — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the watts to kilowatts 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 US uses customary units (US gallon, short ton, °F) in daily life; NIST SP 811 gives the exact SI factors.
Common power conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 100 W | 0.1 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 500 W | 0.5 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 1,000 W | 1 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 1,500 W | 1.5 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 2,000 W | 2 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 2,400 W | 2.4 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 3,000 W | 3 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 5,000 W | 5 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 7,500 W | 7.5 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 10,000 W | 10 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 50,000 W | 50 kW | watts to kilowatts |
| 100,000 W | 100 kW | watts to kilowatts |
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 1,000.
What is 2,400 W?
2.4 kW — a typical kettle or fan heater.
What is a kilowatt-hour?
A kilowatt drawn for an hour — 3.6 MJ. It is energy, not power.
What does a house draw?
Typically 0.5 to 2 kW on average, peaking far higher when heating or cooking.
What is 1 kW in horsepower?
1.341 mechanical horsepower.
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 Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — United States's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.