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Multiple conversions
To convert from calorie (cal) to Watt-second (Ws), use the following formula:
Watt-second (Ws)
= 4.184× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Watt-minute (Wm), use the following formula:
Watt-minute (Wm)
= 4.184 × 160× calorie (cal)
= 0.069733333333333333333× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Watt-hour (Wh), use the following formula:
Watt-hour (Wh)
= 4.184 × 160 × 60× calorie (cal)
= 0.0011622222222222222222× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Milliwatt-hour (mWh), use the following formula:
Milliwatt-hour (mWh)
= 4.184 × 13.6× calorie (cal)
= 1.1622222222222222222× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Kilowatt-hour (kWh), use the following formula:
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
= 4.184 × 160 × 60 × 1000× calorie (cal)
= 0.0000011622222222222222222× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Megawatt-hour (MWh), use the following formula:
Megawatt-hour (MWh)
= 4.184 × 160 × 60 × 106× calorie (cal)
= 1.1622222222222222222× 10-9× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Gigawatt-hour (GWh), use the following formula:
Gigawatt-hour (GWh)
= 4.184 × 160 × 60 × 109× calorie (cal)
= 1.1622222222222222222× 10-12× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Joule (J), use the following formula:
Joule (J)
= 4.184× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Kilojoule (kJ), use the following formula:
Kilojoule (kJ)
= 4.184 × 11000× calorie (cal)
= 0.004184× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Megajoule (MJ), use the following formula:
Megajoule (MJ)
= 4.184 × 1106× calorie (cal)
= 0.000004184× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Gigajoule (GJ), use the following formula:
Gigajoule (GJ)
= 4.184 × 1109× calorie (cal)
= 4.184× 10-9× calorie (cal)
With 4.184 is the ratio between the base units Joule (J) and calorie (cal).
To convert from calorie (cal) to Kilocalorie (kcal), use the following formula:
Kilocalorie (kcal)
= 11000× calorie (cal)
= 0.001× calorie (cal)
At its core, a calorie (cal) is a fundamental unit of energy.
While we often talk about "calories" in our food, it's essential to understand precisely what they represent.
Have you ever noticed the term "calorie" on a nutrition label? What you're actually looking at is a kilocalorie (kcal).
One kilocalorie (or "food calorie") is equal to 1,000 of the smaller, scientific calories.
The scientific definition of a single, "small" calorie (cal) is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.
Knowing this difference is key to accurate calorie counting and managing your energy intake for your health and fitness goals.
Scientists use two primary methods to determine the number of calories in food:
The Bomb Calorimeter: This is the most precise method. It involves an instrument that measures the total heat released when a food sample is burned completely.
The Atwater System: This is a more common and practical method. It calculates the total energy by using average values: 4 calories per gram for carbohydrates and proteins, and 9 calories per gram for fats.
Calories aren't just for food—they are a universal measure of energy. Anything that stores and releases energy has a calorie value.
For example, you might be surprised to learn that a single gallon of gasoline contains over 31 million calories!
This shows that a calorie is simply a standard unit for potential energy, whether it's fueling your body or powering a car.