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Watt Conversion Table
This comprehensive watt conversion table shows how various units relate to watts, the SI derived unit for power. Use this reference for quick conversions between watts and other common power units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Watts to kilowatts | Kilowatts | 0.001 |
| Watts to megawatts | Megawatts | 1e-6 |
| Watts to gigawatts | Gigawatts | 1e-9 |
| Watts to terawatts | Terawatts | 1e-12 |
| Watts to milliwatts | Milliwatts | 1000 |
| Watts to microwatts | Microwatts | 1000000 |
| Watts to nanowatts | Nanowatts | 1e+9 |
| Watts to picowatts | Picowatts | 1e+12 |
| Watts to horsepower | Horsepower | 0.00134102 |
| Watts to metric horsepower | Metric Horsepower | 0.00135962 |
| Watts to BTU/hour | BTU/hour | 3.41214 |
| Watts to calories/second | Calories/second | 0.238846 |
| Watts to kilocalories/second | Kilocalories/second | 0.000238846 |
| Watts to foot-pounds/second | Foot-pounds/second | 0.737562 |
| Watts to ergs/second | Ergs/second | 10000000 |
This watt conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both SI derived units and other common power units. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in scientific and engineering applications.
What is a Watt?
The watt (symbol: W) is the derived unit of power in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as one joule per second (1 J/s), measuring the rate of energy conversion or transfer. The watt is named after James Watt, the Scottish inventor who improved the steam engine. This definition makes the watt fundamental for all power unit conversions. For example, 1 watt equals approximately 0.00134 horsepower or 3.41 BTU/hour.
What is the SI of Watt?
The watt is a derived unit in the International System of Units (SI), based on the base units of kilogram (kg), meter (m), and second (s). Specifically, 1 watt equals 1 kg⋅m²⋅s⁻³. It serves as the standard unit for measuring power, forming the foundation for other units of power measurement in the metric system. All other power units in the metric system are derived from the watt, making it essential for SI units conversion:
- Kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 watts
- Megawatt (MW) = 1,000,000 watts
- Milliwatt (mW) = 0.001 watts
- Microwatt (µW) = 0.000001 watts
- Nanowatt (nW) = 0.000000001 watts
What are Watts Used For?
Watts are used in a wide range of applications across science, engineering, commerce, and everyday life. As the standard SI unit for power measurement, watts provide a consistent standard for all power system conversions:
Electrical Appliances
Measuring power consumption of devices like light bulbs (60W), microwaves (1000W), and air conditioners (1500W). For example, a 100-watt light bulb uses 100 joules of energy per second.
Engineering & Manufacturing
Calculating power requirements for machinery, motors, and industrial processes. For example, determining that a factory needs 500 kilowatts (500,000 watts) of power to operate all equipment simultaneously.
Renewable Energy
Rating solar panels (300W), wind turbines (2MW), and hydroelectric generators (100MW). For example, a wind farm with 100 turbines each producing 2 megawatts can generate 200 megawatts (200,000,000 watts) of power.
Transportation
Specifying engine power in vehicles, from electric cars (150kW) to aircraft engines (20MW). For example, comparing that a typical car engine produces 150,000 watts while a large truck engine produces 373,000 watts (500 horsepower).
Etymology and History
The watt is named after James Watt (1736-1819), the Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the steam engine were fundamental to the Industrial Revolution. The unit was adopted by the Second Congress of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1882, recognizing Watt's contributions to the development of the steam engine. The watt was later incorporated into the International System of Units (SI) in 1960, becoming the standard derived unit for power measurement. This evolution reflects the advancement of measurement science and the need for accurate power units in modern technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the watt the standard unit of power?
The watt was chosen as the standard SI unit because it provides a precise measurement based on fundamental physical units (kilogram, meter, and second). Its definition as one joule per second makes it universally reproducible and essential for all power system conversions. This foundation ensures consistency in scientific research, engineering projects, and international standards.
How accurate is the watt definition?
The current definition of the watt is extremely accurate, based on the precise definitions of the joule and second. The joule itself is defined in terms of mass, length, and time, making the watt one of the most precisely defined derived SI units. Such precision is crucial for advanced scientific research, electrical engineering, and commercial applications.
What's the difference between watt and watt-hour?
A watt measures power (rate of energy transfer), while a watt-hour measures energy (total amount of energy transferred). One watt-hour equals the energy transferred when one watt of power is applied for one hour. For example, a 100-watt light bulb running for 10 hours consumes 1000 watt-hours (1 kilowatt-hour) of energy.
How do I convert watts to other units?
Use our watt conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert watts to kilowatts, divide by 1,000; to convert watts to horsepower, multiply by 0.00134. For detailed instructions on converting watts to kilowatts, visit our W to kW converter. Our tool also handles conversions like watts to BTU/hour with high precision.
What are common uses for watt conversion?
Watt conversion is essential in electrical engineering (circuit design), renewable energy (solar panel ratings), manufacturing (motor specifications), education (student assignments), and home energy management (appliance power ratings). Whether calculating the power consumption of household devices or designing industrial systems, our watt converter tool simplifies these everyday tasks.
How does watt conversion differ from other power units?
As the SI derived unit for power, the watt serves as the foundation for all metric system conversions. All other power units in the metric system are derived from the watt (kilowatt = 1,000 watts, milliwatt = 0.001 watts). This relationship makes watt conversion particularly straightforward compared to converting between unrelated units like horsepower and BTU/hour.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in watts?
Yes, our watt converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For small electronic devices, convert microwatts to watts (1 µW = 0.000001 W). For large power plants, convert watts to gigawatts (1 GW = 1,000,000,000 W). Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your watt conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our watt conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning power units to professionals working on complex engineering projects.