Convert Power from Milliwatts to Kilowatts (mW to kW)

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Milliwatt to Kilowatt Conversion Formula

To convert from Milliwatt (mW) to Kilowatt (kW), use the following formula:

Kilowatt (kW)

= 11000 × 11000× Milliwatt (mW)

= 1106× Milliwatt (mW)

= 10-6× Milliwatt (mW)


Example

Let's convert 5 Milliwatt (mW) to Kilowatt (kW).

Using the formula:

5 × 10-6 = 0.000005

Therefore, 5 Milliwatt (mW) is equal to 0.000005 Kilowatt (kW).

How many milliwatts are in one kilowatt? One Kilowatt (kW) contains 106 Milliwatts (mW) — the inverse of the factor above. Multiplying by 10-6 takes you from milliwatts to kilowatts; multiplying by 106 brings you back.

Put in words: one milliwatt equals 10-6 kilowatts, so the milliwatt is the smaller 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.

What is a Milliwatt (mW)?

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).


What Are Milliwatts Used For?

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.


How Do You Convert Milliwatts? (mW to Watts and dBm)

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.


Why Milliwatts (mW) Are Important for Laser Safety

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.

What is a Kilowatt (kW)?

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.


What's the Difference Between a Kilowatt (kW) and a Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)?

It's easy to mix these two up, but the distinction is crucial: they measure power versus energy.

  • A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power. It tells you how much energy is being used at a single moment. Think of it as how fast water is flowing from a hose.
  • A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy. It measures the total amount of power consumed over a period of one hour. This is the total amount of water that has come out of the hose after an hour.

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).


What Are Some Common Examples of Kilowatt Power Ratings?

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:

  • Electric Kettle: 1.5 kW to 3 kW
  • Electric Shower: 8 kW to 10.5 kW
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger: 3 kW to over 22 kW

Key Takeaways

To summarize, just remember these key points:

  • Kilowatt (kW): A measure of power (how fast energy is used), equal to 1,000 watts.
  • Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A measure of energy (how much total energy was used over time).
  • Your Bill: You pay for the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy you consume.

Milliwatt to Kilowatt Conversion Table

Here are some quick reference conversions from Milliwatt (mW) to Kilowatt (kW):

MilliwattsKilowatts
0.000001 mW10-12 kW
0.001 mW10-9 kW
0.1 mW10-7 kW
1 mW10-6 kW
2 mW0.000002 kW
3 mW0.000003 kW
4 mW0.000004 kW
5 mW0.000005 kW
6 mW0.000006 kW
7 mW0.000007 kW
8 mW0.000008 kW
9 mW0.000009 kW
10 mW10-5 kW
20 mW0.00002 kW
30 mW0.00003 kW
40 mW0.00004 kW
50 mW0.00005 kW
100 mW10-4 kW
1000 mW0.001 kW
10000 mW0.01 kW