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Single conversion
To convert from Megajoule (MJ) to Kilocalorie (kcal), use the following formula:
With is the ratio between the base units calorie (cal) and Joule (J).
Let's convert 5 Megajoule (MJ) to Kilocalorie (kcal).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Megajoule (MJ) is equal to Kilocalorie (kcal).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Megajoule (MJ) to Kilocalorie (kcal):
| Megajoules | Kilocalories |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 MJ | kcal |
| 0.001 MJ | kcal |
| 0.1 MJ | kcal |
| 1 MJ | kcal |
| 2 MJ | kcal |
| 3 MJ | kcal |
| 4 MJ | kcal |
| 5 MJ | kcal |
| 6 MJ | kcal |
| 7 MJ | kcal |
| 8 MJ | kcal |
| 9 MJ | kcal |
| 10 MJ | kcal |
| 20 MJ | kcal |
| 30 MJ | kcal |
| 40 MJ | kcal |
| 50 MJ | kcal |
| 100 MJ | kcal |
| 1000 MJ | kcal |
| 10000 MJ | kcal |
For all Energy converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
Ever looked at a food label outside the US or heard about the energy of a lightning bolt and seen the term 'megajoule' or 'MJ'?
What exactly is it?
In this simple guide, we'll break down what a megajoule is, how big it is, and where you'll see it used in everyday life and science.
A Megajoule (MJ) is a unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI), equal to one million Joules (106 J).
The plural form is Megajoules.
To visualize the energy in a single megajoule, it helps to use a powerful real-world comparison.
One megajoule (1 MJ) is roughly the same as the kinetic energy of a one-tonne car traveling at 160 km/h (about 100 mph).
This comparison shows just how much energy a single megajoule represents, making it a key unit for measuring large energy transfers in fields like physics and engineering.
In many countries, including Australia and New Zealand, the megajoule (MJ) and kilojoule (kJ) are the standard units on nutritional labels to measure the energy content of food, instead of Calories (kcal).
To understand these labels, it's helpful to know the conversion:
One megajoule (MJ) is equal to approximately 239 food Calories (kcal).
This makes the MJ a critical unit for international dietary and health management.
The megajoule is a common unit for quantifying large-scale energy events and outputs in science and technology.
For example:
A kilocalorie (kcal) is a unit used to measure energy.
Just as a kilometer is 1,000 meters, one kilocalorie is equal to 1,000 small calories (cal).
It's the most common unit for discussing the energy content of food.
Have you ever noticed the word "Calories" on a food label? What you're actually seeing is a kilocalorie (kcal).
Here's the simple breakdown:
Essentially, in the world of nutrition, the terms Calorie and kilocalorie are used interchangeably.
The "small calorie" (cal) is a much smaller unit and is primarily used in science labs.
Scientifically, a kilocalorie is the amount of energy needed to heat one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius.
This precise measurement allows scientists to determine how much energy your body can get from the macronutrients in your food, such as:
When a food label says a serving has 100 Calories, it means that's the amount of energy your body can use from it.
The kilocalorie isn't just for food!
As a fundamental unit of energy, it's also used in fields like physics and chemistry to measure energy in chemical reactions and heat transfer.