Select a category and enter your values below
To convert from Gigawatt (GW) to Milliwatt (mW), use the following formula:
Milliwatt (mW)
= 109 × 1000× Gigawatt (GW)
= 1012× Gigawatt (GW)
Let's convert 5 Gigawatt (GW) to Milliwatt (mW).
Using the formula:
5 × 1012 = 5000000000000
Therefore, 5 Gigawatt (GW) is equal to 5000000000000 Milliwatt (mW).
How many gigawatts are in one milliwatt? One Milliwatt (mW) contains 10-12 Gigawatts (GW) — the inverse of the factor above. Multiplying by 1012 takes you from gigawatts to milliwatts; multiplying by 10-12 brings you back.
Put in words: one gigawatt equals 1012 milliwatts, so the gigawatt is the larger unit of this pair. Converting between them never changes the amount of power being measured — only the size of the unit you count it in.
A Gigawatt (GW) is a unit of power equal to one billion watts (109 W) or 1,000 megawatts.
It represents a significant amount of energy. To visualize this scale, a single gigawatt is roughly the amount of power generated by one large nuclear power plant.
This level of power is sufficient to supply electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes simultaneously.
The gigawatt is a standard unit for measuring the output of large-scale power generation facilities and national energy grids.
The capacity of major power sources is typically measured in gigawatts, including:
For example, a major offshore wind farm can have a generating capacity of over 1 GW, highlighting its importance in renewable energy planning and infrastructure development.
The term "gigawatt" gained widespread recognition through the classic 1985 film Back to the Future.
The iconic line "1.21 gigawatts!," delivered by Dr. Emmett Brown, refers to the immense power needed for the DeLorean time machine.
While often mispronounced as "jigowatt" in the movie, this famous quote introduced a massive audience to this unit of electrical power, cementing its place in popular culture.
A milliwatt (mW) is a unit used to measure power.
It is equal to one-thousandth of a watt.
To put it simply, you need 1,000 milliwatts to equal one watt (1 W = 1,000 mW).
The milliwatt (mW) is the perfect unit for measuring the small amount of power used by many common electronic devices.
For example, the power of a Wi-Fi signal, the laser in a Blu-ray player, and the tiny LEDs on your electronics are all measured in milliwatts.
Using such small amounts of power is key to making the batteries last longer in your favorite gadgets, including wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and TV remotes.
While the most common conversion is between milliwatts and watts (1,000 mW = 1 W), some technical fields use a different unit.
In telecommunications and fiber optics, power is often measured in dBm (decibels relative to one milliwatt). This scale makes it easier to work with a vast range of power levels.
For reference, 0 dBm is equal to exactly 1 mW.
When it comes to products with lasers, the milliwatt (mW) rating is a critical safety measure.
To prevent eye injuries, regulatory bodies like the FDA classify lasers based on their power output in milliwatts.
For example, handheld laser pointers sold to the public are legally required in most regions to have a power output of less than 5 mW.
This is a clear example of how milliwatt ratings are used to keep consumers safe.
Here are some quick reference conversions from Gigawatt (GW) to Milliwatt (mW):
| Gigawatts | Milliwatts |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 GW | 106 mW |
| 0.001 GW | 109 mW |
| 0.1 GW | 1011 mW |
| 1 GW | 1012 mW |
| 2 GW | 2000000000000 mW |
| 3 GW | 3000000000000 mW |
| 4 GW | 4000000000000 mW |
| 5 GW | 5000000000000 mW |
| 6 GW | 6000000000000 mW |
| 7 GW | 7000000000000 mW |
| 8 GW | 8000000000000 mW |
| 9 GW | 9000000000000 mW |
| 10 GW | 1013 mW |
| 20 GW | 20000000000000 mW |
| 30 GW | 30000000000000 mW |
| 40 GW | 40000000000000 mW |
| 50 GW | 50000000000000 mW |
| 100 GW | 1014 mW |
| 1000 GW | 1015 mW |
| 10000 GW | 1016 mW |