How do you convert gigawatts to kilowatts?

To convert gigawatts (GW) to kilowatts (kW), multiply the power in gigawatts by 1,000,000 (kilowatts = gigawatts × 1,000,000).

What is 5 gigawatts in kilowatts?

5 gigawatts (5 GW) is equal to 5,000,000 kilowatts (5,000,000 kW).

Which is larger, 1 gigawatt (GW) or 1 kilowatt (kW)?

One gigawatt (GW) is larger than one kilowatt (kW). Specifically, 1 GW contains 1,000,000 kW, whereas 1 kW is 0.000001 GW.

How do I convert back from kilowatts (kW) to gigawatts (GW)?

To reverse the calculation from kW to GW, multiply your kilowatt value by the inverse factor 0.000001 (or divide by 1,000,000). You can also click the Swap button in the tool above to flip directions in one click.

How many decimal places should I round GW to kW results to?

For everyday comparisons and quick estimates, rounding to 2 decimal places is usually sufficient (for example, 5 GW ≈ 5,000,000.00 kW). For engineering, laboratory, or machining specifications, select 4 or 6 decimals—or Scientific (10ⁿ) mode—in the calculator toolbar above.

Gigawatts to Kilowatts Converter

Enter the power in gigawatts below to convert it to kilowatts.

Kilowatts to Gigawatts (kW → GW)

Convert Gigawatts to Kilowatts

Enter a value in gigawatts (GW) to convert to kilowatts (kW).

Value (GW)

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5,000,000kilowatts

5 GW = 5,000,000 kW

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Suggested Conversions

Reference:NIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux))

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Gigawatt to Kilowatt Conversion Table

Table showing various gigawatt measurements converted to kilowatts. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.

Gigawatts (GW)	Kilowatts (kW)
0.0000001 GW	0.1 kW
0.0000002 GW	0.2 kW
0.0000003 GW	0.3 kW
0.0000004 GW	0.4 kW
0.0000005 GW	0.5 kW
0.0000006 GW	0.6 kW
0.0000007 GW	0.7 kW
0.0000008 GW	0.8 kW
0.0000009 GW	0.9 kW
0.00000001 GW	0.01 kW

How to Convert Gigawatts to Kilowatts

To convert gigawatts to kilowatts, multiply the power by the following conversion ratio: 1,000,000 kilowatts/gigawatt.

Since one gigawatt is equal to 1,000,000 kilowatts, you can use this simple formula to convert:

kilowatts = gigawatts × 1,000,000

The power in kilowatts is equal to the power in gigawatts multiplied by 1,000,000.

For example, here's how to convert 5 gigawatts to kilowatts using the formula above.

kilowatts = (5 GW × 1,000,000) = 5,000,000 kW

How Many Kilowatts Are in a Gigawatt?

There are 1,000,000 kilowatts in a gigawatt, which is why we use this value in the formula above.

1 GW = 1,000,000 kW|1 kW = 0.000001 GW

Our gigawatt to kilowatt calculator automatically converts your power measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.

Gigawatts and kilowatts are both units used to measure power. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.

What Is a Gigawatt?

A gigawatt is a unit of power equal to 1,000,000,000 watts (W), the base unit for power. Equal to 1,000,000,000 Watts (1,000 MW). [1]

The gigawatt is classified as an International System of Units (SI) unit of power. Gigawatts can be abbreviated as GW; for example, 1 gigawatt can be written as 1 GW.

In the metric system, "giga" is the standard SI prefix for billions, or 10⁹. This makes the gigawatt (GW) a convenient decimal multiple of the watt (W).

In practice, gigawatts (GW) are widely used across large-scale industrial, bulk, and macro-level power specifications within International System of Units (SI) workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.

Learn more about gigawatts in our Power Converter.

What Is a Kilowatt?

A kilowatt is a unit of power equal to 1,000 watts (W), the base unit for power. Equal to 1,000 Watts (1 kJ/s). [2]

The kilowatt is classified as a metric and SI-compatible unit of power. Kilowatts can be abbreviated as kW; for example, 1 kilowatt can be written as 1 kW.

In the metric system, "kilo" is the standard SI prefix for thousands, or 10³. This makes the kilowatt (kW) a convenient decimal multiple of the watt (W).

In practice, kilowatts (kW) are widely used across large-scale industrial, bulk, and macro-level power specifications within SI metric workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.

Learn more about kilowatts in our Power Converter.

When converting power between gigawatts (GW) and kilowatts (kW), keep full floating-point precision (1 GW = 1,000,000 kW; 1 kW = 0.000001 GW) during intermediate calculations and round only the final kilowatt figure to match your instrument tolerance.

More Gigawatt & Kilowatt Conversions

Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our kilowatts to gigawatts calculator to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting kilowatts to gigawatts, converting horsepower (hp) to kilowatts, or converting megawatts to kilowatts.

Convert from Gigawatts

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Frequently Asked Questions

There are 1,000,000 kilowatts (kW) in 1 gigawatt (GW). Conversely, 1 kilowatt (kW) is equal to 0.000001 gigawatts (GW).

Power Converter

Quick Info

Direct Factor: 1 gigawatt (GW) equals 1,000,000 kilowatts (kW).
Inverse Factor: 1 kilowatt (kW) equals 0.000001 gigawatts (GW).
Formula: kilowatts = gigawatts × 1,000,000.
Verified Precision: Anchored to official NIST SP 811 and ISO/IEC 80000 standards.

Units Comparison

Gigawatt (GW)

Equal to 1,000,000,000 Watts (1,000 MW).

Kilowatt (kW)

Equal to 1,000 Watts (1 kJ/s).

Watt (W)

Coherent SI unit of power equal to 1 Joule per second (1 J/s).

References

[1]NIST SP 811 · NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux)
Source
[2]NIST CUU · Derived SI Unit: Watt (W)
Source
[3]BIPM · SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Power
Source

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References

NIST · BIPM · ISO

[1]
NIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux))·Power Metrology Standard — Gigawatts (GW) to Kilowatts (kW)
NIST SP 811 Standard
[2]
NIST CUU (Derived SI Unit: Watt (W))·Unit Specifications: Gigawatt (GW) & Kilowatt (kW)
NIST CUU Specification
[3]
BIPM (SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Power)·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (GW to kW)
BIPM Reference

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