Joules to Calories Converter
1 joule (J) equals 0.239005736138 calories (cal).
Quick answer
To convert joules to calories, divide by 4.184: 1,000 J ≈ 239 cal.
- 1 joule = 0.2390057361 calories
- 1 calorie = 4.184 joules
- Formula: cal = J ÷ 4.184
- Quick estimate: divide by 4.2.
1 joule = 0.2390057361 calories
How to convert joules to calories
cal = J ÷ 4.184
To convert joules to calories, divide the number of joules by 4.184.
Example: 42 J to cal
- Start with the value in joules: 42 J.
- Divide by 4.184: 42 ÷ 4.184 = 10.03824092.
- Result: 42 joules = 10.03824092 calories.
Going the other way, 1 calorie = 4.184 joules, so to convert calories back to joules you multiply by the same number. See calories to joules.
Where the conversion factor comes from
The thermochemical calorie is exactly 4.184 J. The food Calorie on labels is a kilocalorie (1,000 calories, 4,184 J).
Mental math: J to cal in your head
Divide by 4 and take off 4%.
When you need to convert joules to calories
- Chemistry and physics.
- Converting exercise-machine energy.
Common mistakes
- Mixing small calories (cal) with food Calories (kcal).
Everyday joules in calories
| Example | Joules | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Lifting an apple 1 m | 1 J | 0.23901 cal |
| 1 kJ | 1,000 J | 239.01 cal |
Joules to calories conversion table
| Joules (J) | Calories (cal) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 J | 0.02390057361 cal |
| 0.2 J | 0.04780114723 cal |
| 0.3 J | 0.07170172084 cal |
| 0.4 J | 0.09560229446 cal |
| 0.5 J | 0.1195028681 cal |
| 0.6 J | 0.1434034417 cal |
| 0.7 J | 0.1673040153 cal |
| 0.8 J | 0.1912045889 cal |
| 0.9 J | 0.2151051625 cal |
| 1 J | 0.2390057361 cal |
| 1.5 J | 0.3585086042 cal |
| 2 J | 0.4780114723 cal |
| 2.5 J | 0.5975143403 cal |
| 3 J | 0.7170172084 cal |
| 3.5 J | 0.8365200765 cal |
| 4 J | 0.9560229446 cal |
| 4.5 J | 1.075525813 cal |
| 5 J | 1.195028681 cal |
| 6 J | 1.434034417 cal |
| 7 J | 1.673040153 cal |
| 7.5 J | 1.792543021 cal |
| 8 J | 1.912045889 cal |
| 9 J | 2.151051625 cal |
| 10 J | 2.390057361 cal |
| 11 J | 2.629063098 cal |
| 12 J | 2.868068834 cal |
| 13 J | 3.10707457 cal |
| 14 J | 3.346080306 cal |
| 15 J | 3.585086042 cal |
| 16 J | 3.824091778 cal |
| 17 J | 4.063097514 cal |
| 18 J | 4.30210325 cal |
| 19 J | 4.541108987 cal |
| 20 J | 4.780114723 cal |
| 21 J | 5.019120459 cal |
| 22 J | 5.258126195 cal |
| 23 J | 5.497131931 cal |
| 24 J | 5.736137667 cal |
| 25 J | 5.975143403 cal |
| 26 J | 6.21414914 cal |
More J to cal values
- 27 J
- 28 J
- 29 J
- 30 J
- 31 J
- 32 J
- 33 J
- 34 J
- 35 J
- 36 J
- 37 J
- 38 J
- 39 J
- 40 J
- 41 J
- 42 J
- 43 J
- 44 J
- 45 J
- 46 J
- 47 J
- 48 J
- 49 J
- 50 J
- 51 J
- 52 J
- 53 J
- 54 J
- 55 J
- 56 J
- 57 J
- 58 J
- 59 J
- 60 J
- 61 J
- 62 J
- 63 J
- 64 J
- 65 J
- 66 J
- 67 J
- 68 J
- 69 J
- 70 J
- 71 J
- 72 J
- 73 J
- 74 J
- 75 J
- 76 J
- 77 J
- 78 J
- 79 J
- 80 J
- 81 J
- 82 J
- 83 J
- 84 J
- 85 J
- 86 J
- 87 J
- 88 J
- 89 J
- 90 J
- 91 J
- 92 J
- 93 J
- 94 J
- 95 J
- 96 J
- 97 J
- 98 J
- 99 J
- 100 J
- 110 J
- 120 J
- 130 J
- 140 J
- 150 J
- 160 J
- 170 J
- 180 J
- 190 J
- 200 J
- 210 J
- 220 J
- 230 J
- 240 J
- 250 J
- 260 J
- 270 J
- 280 J
- 290 J
- 300 J
- 310 J
- 320 J
- 330 J
- 340 J
- 350 J
- 360 J
- 370 J
- 380 J
- 390 J
- 400 J
- 410 J
- 420 J
- 430 J
- 440 J
- 450 J
- 460 J
- 470 J
- 480 J
- 490 J
- 500 J
- 600 J
- 700 J
- 800 J
- 900 J
- 1,000 J
- 1,200 J
- 1,500 J
- 2,000 J
- 2,500 J
- 3,000 J
- 4,000 J
- 5,000 J
- 10,000 J
What is a joule?
The joule is the SI unit of energy, work and heat.
What is a calorie?
The calorie (small calorie) is the energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by about one degree Celsius.
Convert joules to other units
Convert other units to calories
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a joule?
One joule is 0.2390057361 calories.
How many joules are in a calorie?
One calorie is 4.184 joules.
What is the formula to convert joules to calories?
cal = J ÷ 4.184.
How many calories in a joule?
0.239 calories.