How do you convert gigawatts to megawatts?

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

What is 5 gigawatts in megawatts?

5 gigawatts (5 GW) is equal to 5,000 megawatts (5,000 MW).

Which is larger, 1 gigawatt (GW) or 1 megawatt (MW)?

One gigawatt (GW) is larger than one megawatt (MW). Specifically, 1 GW contains 1,000 MW, whereas 1 MW is 0.001 GW.

How do I convert back from megawatts (MW) to gigawatts (GW)?

To reverse the calculation from MW to GW, multiply your megawatt value by the inverse factor 0.001 (or divide by 1,000). 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 MW results to?

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

Gigawatts to Megawatts Converter

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

Megawatts to Gigawatts (MW → GW)

Convert Gigawatts to Megawatts

Enter a value in gigawatts (GW) to convert to megawatts (MW).

Value (GW)

From

Result

•

5,000megawatts

5 GW = 5,000 MW

Result updates automatically

Get Widget

Suggested Conversions

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

[1–3] ↓

Gigawatt to Megawatt Conversion Table

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

Gigawatts (GW)	Megawatts (MW)
1 GW	1,000 MW
2 GW	2,000 MW
2.5 GW	2,500 MW
5 GW	5,000 MW
10 GW	10,000 MW
15 GW	15,000 MW
20 GW	20,000 MW
25 GW	25,000 MW
30 GW	30,000 MW
50 GW	50,000 MW

How to Convert Gigawatts to Megawatts

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

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

megawatts = gigawatts × 1,000

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

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

megawatts = (5 GW × 1,000) = 5,000 MW

How Many Megawatts Are in a Gigawatt?

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

1 GW = 1,000 MW|1 MW = 0.001 GW

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

Gigawatts and megawatts 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 Megawatt?

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

The megawatt is classified as a metric and SI-compatible unit of power. Megawatts can be abbreviated as MW; for example, 1 megawatt can be written as 1 MW.

In the metric system, "mega" is the standard SI prefix for millions, or 10⁶. This makes the megawatt (MW) a convenient decimal multiple of the watt (W).

In practice, megawatts (MW) 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 megawatts in our Power Converter.

When converting power between gigawatts (GW) and megawatts (MW), keep full floating-point precision (1 GW = 1,000 MW; 1 MW = 0.001 GW) during intermediate calculations and round only the final megawatt figure to match your instrument tolerance.

More Gigawatt & Megawatt Conversions

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

Convert from Gigawatts

Convert to Megawatts

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 1,000 megawatts (MW) in 1 gigawatt (GW). Conversely, 1 megawatt (MW) is equal to 0.001 gigawatts (GW).

Power Converter

Quick Info

Direct Factor: 1 gigawatt (GW) equals 1,000 megawatts (MW).
Inverse Factor: 1 megawatt (MW) equals 0.001 gigawatts (GW).
Formula: megawatts = gigawatts × 1,000.
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).

Megawatt (MW)

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

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

Related Categories

Add This Calculator to Your Site

Free HTML widget · 4 embed formats

Embed the interactive Gigawatts to Megawatts converter on your blog, classroom, or documentation page.

Customize & Get Embed Code

References

NIST · BIPM · ISO

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

Measurement Navigator78 Categories9 Scientific Domains

Browse All 78 Measurement Categories

A–Z Directory →Sitemap

Common ConvertersEveryday metric, imperial, and US customary converters for length, weight, volume, temperature, area, pressure, energy, speed, time, and data.