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Select a measurement and convert between different units
Single conversion
To convert from Milliwatt (mW) to Kilowatt (kW), use the following formula:
Let's convert 5 Milliwatt (mW) to Kilowatt (kW).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Milliwatt (mW) is equal to Kilowatt (kW).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Milliwatt (mW) to Kilowatt (kW):
| Milliwatts | Kilowatts |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 mW | kW |
| 0.001 mW | kW |
| 0.1 mW | kW |
| 1 mW | kW |
| 2 mW | kW |
| 3 mW | kW |
| 4 mW | kW |
| 5 mW | kW |
| 6 mW | kW |
| 7 mW | kW |
| 8 mW | kW |
| 9 mW | kW |
| 10 mW | kW |
| 20 mW | kW |
| 30 mW | kW |
| 40 mW | kW |
| 50 mW | kW |
| 100 mW | kW |
| 1000 mW | kW |
| 10000 mW | kW |
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.
A kilowatt (kW) is a standard unit used to measure power.
It's part of the metric system and is equal to exactly one thousand watts (1,000 W).
The prefix "kilo-" simply means one thousand, which makes converting between watts and kilowatts easy:
1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 watts (W)
You'll commonly see this unit on labels for engines, electric motors, and many household appliances to indicate their power consumption or output.
It's easy to mix these two up, but the distinction is crucial: they measure power versus energy.
When you get your electricity bill, you are being charged for the total energy you used (the kilowatt-hours).
You are not charged for the peak power you demanded (the kilowatts).
You can find kilowatt (kW) power ratings on many high-power devices in your home.
This rating indicates how much power a device requires to operate. Here are a few typical examples:
To summarize, just remember these key points: