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.
Kilowatt-hour
Definition: A kilowatt-hour (symbol: kWh) is a unit of energy equal to 1,000 watt-hours, or 3.6 megajoules. It represents the energy consumed by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour.
History/origin: As electrification spread globally in the early 20th century, utility companies needed a standardized, large-scale unit to bill customers for energy consumption. The kWh became that standard.
Current use: The kilowatt-hour is the universal billing unit used by electric utility companies worldwide to measure and charge for the electrical energy consumed by homes and businesses.
Joule to Kilowatt-hour Conversion Table
| Joule [j] | Kilowatt-hour [kwh] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 j | 0 kwh |
| 0.1 j | 0.00000003 kwh |
| 1 j | 0.00000028 kwh |
| 2 j | 0.00000056 kwh |
| 3 j | 0.00000083 kwh |
| 5 j | 0.00000139 kwh |
| 10 j | 0.00000278 kwh |
| 20 j | 0.00000556 kwh |
| 50 j | 0.00001389 kwh |
| 100 j | 0.00002778 kwh |
| 1000 j | 0.00027778 kwh |
How to Convert Joule to Kilowatt-hour
1 j = 0.00000028 kwh
1 kwh = 3600000 j
Example: convert 15 j to kwh:
15 j = 15 × 0.00000028 kwh = 0.00000417 kwh
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!
- One Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the amount of energy it takes to keep a 100-watt light bulb turned on for exactly 10 hours. This is the unit you see on your monthly electricity bill!