Energy Converter
Joule
Definition: The joule (symbol: J) is the base unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one meter.
History/origin: The unit is named in honor of the English physicist James Prescott Joule, who established the relationship between heat and mechanical work in the mid-19th century.
Current use: Joules are the standard unit used in physics and engineering to measure work, heat, and electrical energy.
Kilocalorie
Definition: A kilocalorie (symbol: kcal), often referred to as the "large Calorie" or "food Calorie", is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. It equals 1,000 small calories.
History/origin: Because the small calorie is too tiny for practical everyday use, the kilocalorie was adopted by nutritionists in the late 19th century to measure human metabolic energy and food values.
Current use: Kilocalories are the standard unit of food energy used on nutrition labels in the United States, Canada, and many other parts of the world.
Joule to Kilocalorie Conversion Table
| Joule [j] | Kilocalorie [kcal] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 j | 0.00000239 kcal |
| 0.1 j | 0.0000239 kcal |
| 1 j | 0.00023901 kcal |
| 2 j | 0.00047801 kcal |
| 3 j | 0.00071702 kcal |
| 5 j | 0.00119503 kcal |
| 10 j | 0.00239006 kcal |
| 20 j | 0.00478011 kcal |
| 50 j | 0.01195029 kcal |
| 100 j | 0.02390057 kcal |
| 1000 j | 0.23900574 kcal |
How to Convert Joule to Kilocalorie
1 j = 0.00023901 kcal
1 kcal = 4184 j
Example: convert 15 j to kcal:
15 j = 15 × 0.00023901 kcal = 0.00358509 kcal
Did You Know?
- Did you know? One Joule is roughly the amount of energy required to lift a small apple (100 grams) one meter straight up into the air!
- Nutrition Confusion: The "Calories" listed on food nutrition labels in the US are actually Kilocalories (kcal). So, a 200 "Calorie" snack bar actually contains 200,000 small calories!