Thermal Conductivity Converter
Watt/meter-kelvin (W/m·K)
Definition: The SI unit for thermal conductivity. It represents the rate of heat flow (Watts) through a material of unit thickness (meter) per unit of temperature difference (Kelvin).
History/origin: Established as part of the SI system to create a direct link between power (Watts), distance, and temperature change in thermodynamic calculations.
Current use: The absolute standard in physics, global engineering, and material science to define how well a material conducts heat.
BTU/hr·ft·°F
Definition: An imperial unit for thermal conductivity, representing British Thermal Units per hour per foot per degree Fahrenheit.
History/origin: Developed during the industrial revolution in the UK and USA. It remains a key legacy unit in the American construction and HVAC industries.
Current use: Predominantly used in the United States for building insulation ratings, boiler specifications, and heat exchanger design.
Watt/meter-kelvin (W/m·K) to BTU/hr·ft·°F Conversion Table
| Watt/meter-kelvin (W/m·K) [w_mk] | BTU/hr·ft·°F [btu_fh] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 w_mk | 0.00577789 btu_fh |
| 0.1 w_mk | 0.05777892 btu_fh |
| 1 w_mk | 0.57778921 btu_fh |
| 2 w_mk | 1.15557841 btu_fh |
| 3 w_mk | 1.73336762 btu_fh |
| 5 w_mk | 2.88894603 btu_fh |
| 10 w_mk | 5.77789205 btu_fh |
| 20 w_mk | 11.5557841 btu_fh |
| 50 w_mk | 28.88946026 btu_fh |
| 100 w_mk | 57.77892052 btu_fh |
| 1000 w_mk | 577.78920516 btu_fh |
How to Convert Watt/meter-kelvin (W/m·K) to BTU/hr·ft·°F
1 w_mk = 0.57778921 btu_fh
1 btu_fh = 1.730735 w_mk
Example: convert 15 w_mk to btu_fh:
15 w_mk = 15 × 0.57778921 btu_fh = 8.66683808 btu_fh
Did You Know?
- Did you know? Diamond has the highest thermal conductivity of any naturally occurring bulk material, about 5 times higher than copper! This is why diamonds always feel cold to the touch.
- In the United States, thermal conductivity is often used to calculate "R-value" for home insulation. A lower thermal conductivity means a higher R-value, keeping your home warmer in winter!